Director of Marketing and Fan Experience

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Summary

The Director of Marketing and Fan Experience reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, Administration and Facilities. This position serves as a creative and energetic leader responsible for enhancing the visibility of Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics through strategic marketing, fan engagement initiatives, game presentation and community outreach efforts. Emphasis will be placed on increasing attendance, enhancing the student and fan experience and fostering one of the premier game-day environments in NCAA Division II athletics.

The successful candidate will collaborate with coaches, campus partners and community stakeholders to increase awareness, attendance and engagement with Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics while promoting a consistent and dynamic athletics brand.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all marketing and fan engagement initiatives for the athletics department, including attendance growth, promotional planning and community outreach efforts. 
• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans for all athletic programs and special events designed to increase attendance, visibility and community engagement. 
• Oversee all game-presentation elements, including scripts, promotions, music, contests, recognitions, public-address reads and in-game entertainment.
• Coordinate and manage the overall game-day atmosphere and fan experience for home athletic contests and special events. 
• Collaborate with campus partners, including Admissions, Student Affairs, Advancement, Alumni Relations and Student Engagement, to maximize awareness and support of athletics programs.
• Assist with the planning and execution of special events, community programs, youth initiatives and promotional campaigns.
• Provide support for identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships and revenue-generating sponsorships.
• Oversee the Joe Bear mascot program and serve as a liaison to spirit groups (marching band, pep band and cheer/dance).
• Coordinate mascot appearances, community engagement opportunities and grassroots marketing efforts throughout the Greater Hickory and Unifour region.
• Assist with content planning and promotional strategies in collaboration with athletic communications and creative staff. 
• Evaluate attendance trends among students, faculty and staff, alumni and donors, and fan engagement metrics to improve marketing effectiveness and event experiences.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Demonstrate a commitment to fiscal integrity, sound budget management and effective allocation of marketing resources.
• Assist with external events and revenue-generating initiatives.
• Recruit and supervise student workers and interns.
• Work diligently to foster an atmosphere of sportsmanship, NCAA compliance, professionalism and respect among staff, coaches and student-athletes.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience in athletics marketing, promotions, fan engagement, event management or a related field preferred.
• Experience within intercollegiate athletics is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal communication, organizational skills, event execution and project management. Must possess creativity, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment.
• An established record of success in the following key administrative functions is preferred:

1. Athletics Marketing 
2. Fan Engagement 
3. Game Presentation 
4. Event Management
5. Community Outreach.

• This position requires travel and variable work hours, including nights and weekends. Perform other duties as assigned by the department's senior leadership team.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit: 

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Three professional references 

The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.  

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good. 

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy    

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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