📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: (Senior Associate/Associate) Athletic Director of Marketing & Business Development
🔹 Company: University of Arkansas System
🔹 Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Athletics Administration
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-28
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic leadership in ticketing, marketing, and brand development
- Supervision of ticket operations, brand management, and business development
- Collaboration with various departments and partners to enhance revenue generation
- Experience in NCAA compliance rules and regulations
- Proven track record in increasing attendance and ticket revenues
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in collegiate athletics marketing and business development.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide strategic leadership to ticketing, marketing, and brand development areas
✅ Supervise ticket operations, including sales, pricing, and yield management
✅ Manage brand development and creative services teams
✅ Oversee licensing, retail, and merchandising efforts
✅ Collaborate with multimedia rights holder to increase sponsorship levels
✅ Work weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPION: This role involves a significant amount of supervision, strategic planning, and collaboration with various teams and partners.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in sports administration, marketing, business, communications, or a related field
Experience: At least 6 years (Associate) to 7 years (Senior Associate) of progressive experience in marketing, branding, ticket sales strategy, and/or communications in collegiate athletics and/or professional sports
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and supervisory experience
- Experience with CRM, data warehouse, and marketing automation systems
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral, and written communication skills
- Knowledge of NCAA compliance rules and regulations
Preferred Skills:
- At least 9 years’ experience in NCAA Division I athletics or a major professional league
- Documented experience executing an integrated campaign across multiple platforms
- Proven track record of increased attendance and ticket revenues
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in collegiate athletics marketing and business development, with a focus on strategic planning and leadership.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (based on experience and education)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, life, and disability insurance
- Tuition waivers for employees and their families
- 12 official holidays
- Immediate leave accrual
- Choice of retirement programs with university contributions (5-10% of employee salary)
Working Hours: Full-time, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in collegiate athletics administration.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education, specifically collegiate athletics administration
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (large university system)
Founded: 1871, with a long history of academic and athletic excellence
Company Description:
- Diverse range of academic and athletic programs
- Commitment to student success and community engagement
- Strong focus on research and innovation
Company Specialties:
- Interdisciplinary research and teaching
- Student-centered learning experiences
- Community partnerships and service-learning opportunities
Company Website: uasys.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System is a large, comprehensive university system with a strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level management in collegiate athletics administration
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Athletic Director
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to higher-level administrative roles within the athletic department
- Possibility of expanding responsibilities based on performance and organizational needs
- Opportunities for professional development and networking within the collegiate athletics industry
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential within the athletic department and the broader university system.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a modern and well-equipped athletic department office
Office Location(s): Fayetteville, North Carolina
Geographic Context:
- Fayetteville is a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
- The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies.
- Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screening
- On-campus interview with the Athletic Director and other department members
- Presentation or case study component to assess strategic thinking and communication skills
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic planning and leadership skills
- Experience with CRM, data analytics, and marketing automation systems
- Knowledge of NCAA compliance rules and regulations
- Ability to work effectively with various teams and partners
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions related to collegiate athletics marketing and business development
- Research the University of Arkansas System and the Athletic Department to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the organization
ATS Keywords: Collegiate athletics, marketing, branding, ticket sales, CRM, data analytics, leadership, NCAA compliance
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their qualifications and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM and data warehouse systems
- Marketing automation tools
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in academics and athletics
- Student-centered approach
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and ethical conduct
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Strong focus on strategic planning and leadership
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork?
- Are you comfortable working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed?
- Do you have a proven track record of success in collegiate athletics marketing and business development?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and have a strong track record of success in collegiate athletics marketing and business development.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large and diverse team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
- Navigating the complexities of NCAA compliance rules and regulations
- Adapting to the unique demands of a collegiate athletics environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, organizational, and time management skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on strategic leadership in collegiate athletics marketing and business development
- Similar roles may be found in professional sports organizations or other collegiate athletic departments
- Career progression may include advancement to higher-level administrative roles within the athletic department or broader university system
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential within the athletic department and the broader university system.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and fan experience plan for a specific sport
- Collaborating with partners to create a successful digital raffle or third-party ticketed event
- Managing a rebranding effort for the athletic department or a specific sport
ASSUMPTION: These projects require strategic planning, leadership, and collaboration with various teams and partners.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the athletic department in the next 3-5 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and partners within the university system?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the athletic department and broader university system?
- How does the university system support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role and organization, as well as your strategic thinking and planning skills.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions related to collegiate athletics marketing and business development
- Research the University of Arkansas System and Athletic Department to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the organization
- Follow up with the HR Coordinator - Athletics, Jarred Witt, one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
