Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) invites applications for Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement to support fan engagement. In addition, the Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement will play a critical role in supporting the broader strategic priorities of the DIA, and ultimately this position will help foster a life-changing experience for student-athletes.

 

Since 1892, DIA has operated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to support its intercollegiate athletic programs. Today, DIA supports 21 intercollegiate varsity sports which compete as a part of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. DIA provides the resources for over 500 student-athletes to participate at the highest levels of their respective sports. This extensive support ecosystem includes over 35 departments employing over 300 dedicated staff members including 80 plus varsity coaches working collaboratively to provide individualized championship-caliber opportunities to our student-athletes, in the classroom, in the competitive arena, and in personal and professional development, to enhance their growth and life preparation. The DIA mission is to Unify, Develop, Inspire, and Achieve, for the benefit of our student-athletes, our university, and our broader community.

DIA has set forth six strategic priorities to help guide and advance its overarching mission: Championship people, championship mindset; strategic innovation and investment; athletic success; financial sustainability; win championships; community engagement and enrichment. Together, these priorities present a cohesive vision for the direction of the department.

Organizational Relationship
This position will report to the Associate Athletic Director, Marketing & External
For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement Click Here

Impact in Your First Year
Within 3 months, you will:

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Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) invites applications for Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement to support fan engagement. In addition, the Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement will play a critical role in supporting the broader strategic priorities of the DIA, and ultimately this position will help foster a life-changing experience for student-athletes.

 

Since 1892, DIA has operated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to support its intercollegiate athletic programs. Today, DIA supports 21 intercollegiate varsity sports which compete as a part of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. DIA provides the resources for over 500 student-athletes to participate at the highest levels of their respective sports. This extensive support ecosystem includes over 35 departments employing over 300 dedicated staff members including 80 plus varsity coaches working collaboratively to provide individualized championship-caliber opportunities to our student-athletes, in the classroom, in the competitive arena, and in personal and professional development, to enhance their growth and life preparation. The DIA mission is to Unify, Develop, Inspire, and Achieve, for the benefit of our student-athletes, our university, and our broader community.

DIA has set forth six strategic priorities to help guide and advance its overarching mission: Championship people, championship mindset; strategic innovation and investment; athletic success; financial sustainability; win championships; community engagement and enrichment. Together, these priorities present a cohesive vision for the direction of the department.

Organizational Relationship
This position will report to the Associate Athletic Director, Marketing & External
For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement Click Here

Impact in Your First Year
Within 3 months, you will:
Employee established a strong operational foundation for fan engagement and revenue generation within Illinois Athletics. They successfully managed day-to-day football marketing and gameday presentation activities, ensuring smooth execution of promotions, scripting, and in-game entertainment. Early efforts focused on strengthening collaboration with the ticket office, Paciolan, and student leadership groups to improve attendance strategies and fan participation. The employee also evaluated current advertising and digital marketing initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance messaging, audience targeting, and overall fan experience.

Within 6 months, you will:
Employee will demonstrated measurable progress in increasing fan engagement and attendance for Illinois football and assigned sports. They implemented comprehensive marketing and promotional campaigns across traditional and digital platforms, contributing to stronger ticket sales performance and improved student involvement. The employee streamlined game presentation strategies to create a more engaging and consistent fan experience while also advancing the department’s digital advertising efforts through email, mobile, social media, and web-based campaigns. Additionally, they provided effective leadership to marketing staff and contributed to broader strategic planning initiatives across multiple athletic programs.

By the end of the first year, you will:
Employee will established themselves as a key contributor to Illinois Athletics’ revenue growth, brand development, and fan engagement strategy. Their leadership resulted in sustained improvements in attendance, enhanced gameday atmosphere, and stronger alignment between marketing, ticketing, and digital communications efforts. They successfully managed budgetary and revenue goals tied to football while overseeing integrated marketing strategies supporting all 21 athletic programs. Through data-driven advertising initiatives, staff leadership, and collaborative engagement efforts, the employee significantly strengthened the Fighting Illini brand presence and helped drive long-term fan base growth and organizational success.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field. Experience: Required: A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in college or professional athletics marketing, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree preferred
Experience:
Preferred: Five (5) years’ experience in college or professional athletics marketing or related field.
Experience working with variety of gameday stakeholders including music operators, band, spirit teams, performers, pyrotechnics, lights, sponsorship activations and more. Experience with email marketing and digital advertising

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintain knowledge of, and compliance with, specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position is required.
• Championship Mindset and Expectations Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff; Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience; Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations; Commitment to the Athletics Department and University’s mission and values; Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/6/2026. Salary is $72,000-$80,000 commensurate with experience. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Become an Illinois professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and be part of a dynamic community dedicated to making a positive impact on both local and global scales, advancing knowledge, and fostering creativity. Learn more about why YOU should join us.

DIA believes that athletics provides a forum to bring together people across all spectra of identities. We are committed to welcoming, affirming, and celebrating students, coaches, staff, and spectators of all races and ethnicities, sexes, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and abilities. DIA’s mission is to unify, develop, inspire, and achieve. It is no mistake that “Unify” is our first priority, a priority which requires a level of empathy and respect to create a culture of community, inclusivity, and belonging. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are a part of who we are and a standard that we are all responsible for upholding.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 1, 2026.  Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Ashley Browning at anbrowni@illinois.edu For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID : 1036417
Job Category : Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

 

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