Director of Marketing and Events

The Director of Marketing & Events will provide comprehensive oversight of all athletics marketing initiatives, fan experience strategies, and event operations, while directly managing student groups that include the Pepperdine Spirit program, RipTide Fan group and Willie the Wave mascot program. Reporting to the Assistant Athletics Director - Marketing & Communications, the Director will serve as a key member of the department's external operations team.

The Director is responsible for driving fan engagement, increasing brand visibility, enhancing game day experiences, and leading marketing campaigns that support revenue generation, ticket sales, and student attendance. This role will oversee the day-to-day operations of marketing and promotional efforts, serve as the producer for home athletic events, and collaborate closely with external units and campus partners.

Duties

• Strategic Leadership & Brand Elevation :

  • Lead the strategic vision and execution of all athletics marketing, branding, and promotional efforts across Pepperdine's 17 NCAA Division I programs.
  • Develop and implement marketing plans to drive attendance, enhance community engagement, and elevate the department's visibility across traditional and digital platforms.
  • Oversee the marketing and events budget with a focus on strategic investment and ROI.
  • Partner with communications, creative, and video teams to ensure alignment of visual identity and brand messaging. 

• Game Presentation & Fan Experience:

The Director of Marketing & Events will provide comprehensive oversight of all athletics marketing initiatives, fan experience strategies, and event operations, while directly managing student groups that include the Pepperdine Spirit program, RipTide Fan group and Willie the Wave mascot program. Reporting to the Assistant Athletics Director - Marketing & Communications, the Director will serve as a key member of the department's external operations team.

The Director is responsible for driving fan engagement, increasing brand visibility, enhancing game day experiences, and leading marketing campaigns that support revenue generation, ticket sales, and student attendance. This role will oversee the day-to-day operations of marketing and promotional efforts, serve as the producer for home athletic events, and collaborate closely with external units and campus partners.

Duties

• Strategic Leadership & Brand Elevation :

  • Lead the strategic vision and execution of all athletics marketing, branding, and promotional efforts across Pepperdine's 17 NCAA Division I programs.
  • Develop and implement marketing plans to drive attendance, enhance community engagement, and elevate the department's visibility across traditional and digital platforms.
  • Oversee the marketing and events budget with a focus on strategic investment and ROI.
  • Partner with communications, creative, and video teams to ensure alignment of visual identity and brand messaging. 

• Game Presentation & Fan Experience:

  • Serve as the producer of all home athletic events with full oversight of scripting, game production, run-of-show, in-game promotions, and fan engagement strategies.

• Marketing Strategy & Revenue Growth:

  • Collaborate with ticketing and sponsorship units to execute revenue-driving campaigns, increase ticket sales, and activate partner inventory. 

• Departmental Leadership & Team Oversight: 

  • Supervise and mentor one Graduate Assistant and the part-time Cheer Coach.
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Pepperdine Cheer program, including appearances, practices, game day integration, and program development.
  • Serve as a visible ambassador of Pepperdine Athletics at campus and community events.

• Event Operations & Facility Experience:

  • Manage game day operations for home events, working in coordination with internal units and campus partners to ensure high-quality experiences for fans.
  • Support the planning and execution of special events including postseason competitions, special event ceremonies, and student-athlete recognition. 

• Other duties as assigned.

• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Sports Management, Marketing, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience in Athletics marketing, events, or relevant experience in a college or professional Athletics Department.
• Experience developing and implementing successful marketing strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills. 
• Ability to create and work within a team environment.
• Ability to multitask effectively.
• Ability to work extended days, evenings, and weekends for various Athletic events.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in business administration, sports management, marketing, or related field.
• Five years of experience in Athletics marketing, events, or relevant experience in a college or professional Athletics Department.
• Design or video skills (Adobe Creative Suite or Final Cut Pro X). 
• Experience with Click Effects. 
• Experience with Daktronics Show Control.
• Experience working in an NCAA Intercollegiate Athletics Department, specifically in the area of marketing, promotions and/or fan experience.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Rate: $70,304 per year 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

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