📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: (Senior Associate/Associate) Athletic Director of Marketing & Business Development
🔹 Company: University of Arkansas
🔹 Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
🔹 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 areas
- Supervision of department ticket operations, marketing automation, and brand management
- Collaboration with external partners for licensing, merchandising, and sponsorships
- Experience in NCAA compliance, fundraising, and revenue generation
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, management, and collaboration to drive success in multiple areas of athletic department operations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide strategic leadership and direction for ticketing, marketing, and brand development areas
✅ Supervise department ticket operations, including sales, pricing, and yield management
✅ Manage brand elements, creative services, and digital strategy teams for comprehensive marketing and fan experience plans
✅ Collaborate with external partners for licensing, merchandising, and sponsorships to increase revenue
✅ Work with Learfield to develop promotional platforms and reach revenue share levels
✅ Hire, train, and supervise full-time staff in related areas
✅ Ensure compliance with NCAA rules and regulations
✅ Manage and control expenditures within a set budget
✅ Work weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of responsibility and accountability for multiple areas of athletic department operations, with a focus on strategic planning, leadership, and collaboration.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in sports administration, marketing, business, communications, or a related area of study
Experience: (Senior Associate Level) At least seven years of progressive experience in marketing, branding, ticket sales strategy, and/or communications in collegiate athletics and/or professional sports. (Associate Level) At least six years of progressive experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in marketing, branding, and ticket sales strategy
- Experience with CRM, data warehouse, and marketing automation systems
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Knowledge of NCAA compliance rules and regulations
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite products, HTML coding, CSS, Javascript, Premiere, After Effects, and Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Skills:
- At least nine 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 or professional sports, with a focus on marketing, branding, and ticket sales strategy.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on experience level and industry standards for similar roles in the region)
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Tuition Waivers for employees and their families
- 12 official holidays
- Immediate leave accrual
- Retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the region. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive for the higher education industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education, specifically collegiate athletics
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (University of Arkansas System)
Founded: 1871 (University of Arkansas)
Company Description:
- The University of Arkansas System provides access to academic and professional opportunities, develops intellectual growth and cultural awareness, and provides knowledge and research skills to an ever-changing society.
- The system enrolls more than 60,000 students, employs over 17,000 employees, and has a total budget of over $2 billion.
- The University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
Company Specialties:
- Higher Education
- Research
- Athletics
- Healthcare
- Community Engagement
Company Website: uasys.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System is a large, comprehensive institution with a wide range of academic and athletic programs, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level management role in collegiate athletics
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Athletic Director or a similar senior-level position within the athletic department
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a senior-level position within the athletic department or the University of Arkansas System
- Expansion of responsibilities and leadership opportunities as the department and University grow
- Possibility of transitioning to a similar role at another institution within the University of Arkansas System
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the University of Arkansas System and the collegiate athletics industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork within the athletic department
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 quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with the expectation of working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on collaboration, teamwork, and strategic planning within the athletic department and the University of Arkansas System.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the University of Arkansas System Career Site
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or a member of the hiring team
- On-site or virtual interview with the athletic director or a panel of athletic department staff
- Background check and reference check
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Leadership and management skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of NCAA compliance rules and regulations
- Experience with CRM, data warehouse, and marketing automation systems
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include specific examples of your experience in marketing, branding, and ticket sales strategy
- Demonstrate your understanding of the University of Arkansas System and the collegiate athletics industry
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Brand Development, Ticket Sales, CRM, Data Analytics, Strategic Planning, Leadership, NCAA Compliance, Higher Education
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should tailor their materials and prepare thoroughly to demonstrate their qualifications and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- HTML coding, CSS, Javascript
- Premiere, After Effects
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM, data warehouse, and marketing automation systems
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Ticketing and event management software
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant tools and technologies, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt to new platforms as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all endeavors
- Integrity and ethical behavior
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Accountability and stewardship
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Focus on strategic planning and leadership
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Strong commitment to NCAA compliance and ethical behavior
- Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the University of Arkansas System’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion?
- How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a focus on strategic planning and leadership?
- How do you ensure ethical behavior and NCAA compliance in your work?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider their fit with the University of Arkansas System’s values and work style, as well as their commitment to NCAA compliance and ethical behavior.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple responsibilities and priorities within the athletic department
- Managing a large team and budget, with a focus on revenue generation and cost control
- Navigating the complexities of NCAA compliance and regulations
- Adapting to the dynamic and fast-paced nature of collegiate athletics
- Working weekends, evenings, and travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and work flexible hours as needed to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Associate/Associate Athletic Director of Marketing & Business Development at other NCAA Division I institutions or professional sports teams
- However, the University of Arkansas System offers a unique work environment with a focus on collaboration, teamwork, and strategic planning within the athletic department and the larger University system
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to a senior-level position within the athletic department or the University of Arkansas System, as well as transitioning to a similar role at another institution
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role within the University of Arkansas System and the potential for career growth and development within the institution and the collegiate athletics industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing and fan experience plan for a specific sport or event
- Collaborating with external partners to increase licensing and merchandising revenue
- Implementing a new CRM or marketing automation system to improve data management and customer engagement
- Creating and executing a strategic action plan to increase ticket sales and revenue
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to develop and execute strategic plans, collaborate with external partners, and manage projects to drive success in multiple areas of athletic department operations.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the overall strategic plan for the athletic department and the University of Arkansas System?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the athletic department, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the University of Arkansas System support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the work-life balance like for employees in this role, and how does the University of Arkansas System support work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should ask thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and their understanding of the University of Arkansas System and the collegiate athletics industry.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the University of Arkansas System Career Site
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Prepare for a phone or video screen, as well as an on-site or virtual interview with the athletic director or a panel of athletic department staff
- Follow up with the hiring manager or a member of the hiring team within one week of your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and address any remaining questions
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
