Assistant Director of Strategic Marketing & Fan Experience (HR Title: Mktg & Fan Experience Coordinator)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU:

A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

In collaboration with the Associate A.D of Strategic Marketing & Fan Experience, the Assistant Director of Strategic Marketing & Fan Experience is responsible for creating preeminent experiences for the SMU fans on gameday. They lead the effort to continually innovate the fan experience and push SMU to be an industry leader in in-venue production. 

They will oversee the implementation and management of marketing strategies to drive attendance, promotion and engagement of athletic events. Marketing duties include, but are not limited to, development and implementation of marketing plans/strategies, game-day promotions/operations, and community engagement. The position will collaborate with the Digital Marketing, Creative, Public Relations, Facilities and Game Operations, MustangVision, Mustang Sport Properties, Band, Cheer, and other auxiliary fan experience groups.

Essential Functions:

• Plan, execute and communicate marketing (print & digital advertising) and gameday experience (game production, fan engagement) for men's & women's soccer.
   

• Enhance student and campus awareness to support all athletic events.
   

• Develop and operate the fan zones on football game day working closely with Facilities, Mustang Sport Properties and university counterparts.
   

• Innovate and promote Peruna's Pals Kids Club and donation requests programs.
   

• Work with coaches, staffs and external cross-functional teams to clearly communicate planning, execution and expectations of marketing and/or gameday experience activities. This includes digital marketing, public relations, MustangVision (video), group sales, ticket operations, band, spirit, and facilities.
   

• Exercise fiscal responsibility by budgeting for promotional materials and accurately reporting any purchases.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required.

A minimum of one year of work experience is required, preferably in collegiate athletics marketing and/or gameday experience (game production, fan engagement).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong organizational and project management skills to effectively balance multiple projects and deadlines. Must also demonstrate creative problem solving skills with the ability to identify business problems, needs, opportunities, and devise effective solutions. A strong focus on attention to detail for accuracy of data and information is essential.

A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) is required. Familiarity with and/or knowledge of one or more of the following: Adobe PhotoShop, ShoFlo, 7 Point Audio and/or Oracle Eloqua. A strong understanding of athletics branding, marketing and advertising principles is strongly preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Bend, squat, stand, kneel

• Reach above shoulders

• Handle objects (dexterity)

• Push/pull

• Carry/lift over 50 lbs.

• Sit for long periods of time

• Exposure to excessive noise

• Around moving machinery

Deadline to Apply:

January 5, 2026

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by December 18, 2025

EEO Statement:

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.