Associate Director of Marketing & Fan Development

Develop and execute innovative marketing, advertising, and branding campaigns to drive ticket sales, attendance, and student engagement across assigned sports. Align with internal teams to create compelling narratives that foster deep connection with fans, then deliver messaging across a variety of media to targeted audiences to ultimately generate revenue and drive increased attendance.

Essential Duties:

• Brand Management

  • Collaborate with assigned sports to define the brand of their respective programs and ensure consistent, on-brand messaging is delivered across all marketing channels for assigned sports.

  • Assist in shaping the overall brand identity of the Athletics Department and individual teams, ensuring that messaging resonates with students, fans, and the local community.

• Ticket Sales & Attendance Growth

  • Collaborate with Ticket Operations and Ticket Sales to define sales and attendance goals for assigned sports and to develop strategies that drive season ticket, partial plan, group, and single-game ticket sales.

  • Collaborate with Fan Engagement & Event Presentation to develop a plan for promotions and giveaways that drive ticket sales and attendance.

  • Leverage partnerships with traditional media outlets (TV, radio, billboard, print) to deliver mass media advertising campaigns that promote ticket packages, events, promotions, etc.; collaborate with Digital Strategy & Revenue Innovation to launch new strategies that reach targeted segments of current and prospective fans.

• Campaign Development & Execution

  • Manage advertising budgets (cash and trade) for assigned sports and develop a comprehensive campaign schedule across all channels (billboard, linear TV, streaming TV, legacy radio, streaming radio, print, community signage)

  • Collaborate with Creative Strategy (static content) and SoonerVision (video content) to produce compelling, platform-specific content that engages fans and reinforces each sport’s brand.

  • Collaborates with Digital Strategy & Revenue Innovation to align all advertising campaigns and to support social media and email marketing efforts for assigned sports.

  • Collaborates with Fan Engagement & Event Presentation to deliver marketing campaigns through in-venue messaging, including public address announcements, videoboard advertisements, and concourse signage or tabling.

  • Write compelling, on-brand copy for commercials, public address announcements, live reads, and other messaging opportunities to engage fans.

  • Communicate regularly with advertising partners to update creative or landing pages, adjust schedules or budgets, and to review reports.

  • Analyze advertising campaign results against ticket sales data to adjust marketing strategies as needed to optimize performance.

• Student Engagement & Campus Outreach

  • Develops and executes strategies to increase student attendance, including partnerships with student organizations and targeted campaigns through social, email, text, and influencer marketing

  • Collaborate with Digital Strategy & Revenue Innovation to deliver messaging to students through social media, email, text, and influencer marketing campaigns.

  • Lead the marketing and advertising strategy for the department’s student attendance incentive program, Sooner Rewards.

• Special Projects

  • Lead the marketing and advertising strategy for the department’s youth engagement program, Sooner Kids Club

  • Prepare regular reports on marketing campaign performance, attendance trends, and fan engagement metrics, offering insights and recommendations for future initiatives.

  • Support Fan Engagement & Event Presentation with operational needs on football gamedays and special events.
    Contribute to long-term strategic planning and initiatives to elevate the overall profile of the athletics program.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree, AND:

• 2 years experience in branding, campaign strategy, performance marketing or related field

Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education and/or related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.

Departmental Preferences: 

• 3+ years’ experience with a Division 1 athletics department or professional sports organization with specialization in branding, campaign strategy, or performance marketing.

• Track record of driving ticket sales, fan engagement, and attendance growth through effective marketing strategies.

Working Conditions:

• Office and in-venue settings, including outdoor and high-energy environments during sporting events.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays in alignment with athletic event schedules, promotions, and deadlines. Extended hours during peak sports seasons and major events are expected.

• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods during games, events, and setting up promotional materials.

• Occasional lifting of equipment or supplies (up to 25 lbs.).

• Travel may be required for promotional events, away games, or professional development opportunities.

• Exposure to loud environments (e.g., stadium crowds, music) and varying weather conditions while working at outdoor events is expected.

Skills:

• Exceptional communication, writing, and creative skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives and engaging content.

• Collaborative team player with the ability to build relationships and work effectively across several departments.

• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to analyze data and derive actionable insights to inform marketing decisions.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in support of athletic events and promotional activities.

• Knowledge of marketing principles, branding strategies, and fan engagement tactics, particularly within collegiate or professional sports environments.

• Knowledge of digital and traditional media channels, including social media, email marketing, TV, radio, and print.

• Familiarity with ticket sales strategies, promotional planning, and advertising performance metrics.

• Knowledge of NCAA regulations and compliance as they pertain to marketing and promotion.

Supervision: Marketing Student Assistants

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Hiring contingent upon a Background Check?: Yes

Special Indications: Hiring contingent upon police records check, Hiring contingent upon driver's license check 

Job Posting: Feb 12, 2026