Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing
Chicago Bulls, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing
Position Overview
The Chicago Bulls, one of the most iconic and well-known global sports brands, are building a future-looking marketing capability that applies a combination of data‑driven insight and creativity to drive fan development and support organizational growth. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing to help lead the vision, planning, and execution of initiatives that build brand equity, deepen fan loyalty, and grow our fanbase across key audiences and channels. Reporting to the Vice President of Fan Development and Growth Marketing, this individual will oversee two teams – Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development – that are charged with cultivating our fanbase to support future org‑wide growth, ensuring our org‑wide efforts are aligned and consistent, and driving maximum, measurable impact.
Responsibilities Set Strategic Direction
Develop long‑term strategic plans to guide and shape the work of the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams
Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations that align brand and revenue goals collaborating alongside key stakeholders
Develop and implement fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values, aimed at driving affinity, loyalty, and conversion
Play pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales
Serve key leadership role in driving collaborative efforts that develop programs and initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation
Drive the development of the organization’s youth marketing strategy
Grow and Manage Brand Assets and Initiatives
Ensure org‑wide alignment on initiatives that span across multiple departments (e.g., ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, cause marketing efforts)
Own fan development initiatives that bring new fans into the mix and deepen existing fan relationships
Own and direct the Bulls “institutional assets” (i.e., drops, in‑arena signage) to ensure we are maximizing their use and impact
Lead External Brand Collaborations
Steer collaborative efforts with other Chicago teams, groups, and vendors to expand brand and reach and strengthen relationships with fans
Explore opportunities to partner with brands in and outside of the sports industry on relevant cross‑promotional collaborations that support org‑wide goals
Drive Measurable Results
Identify data capture opportunities to bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem and work cross‑departmentally to develop approaches to report attributable revenue and brand value
Work with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to develop processes to track and measure team efforts to ensure marketing efforts drive results
Develop Staff and Lead Marketing Admin Functions
Manage, mentor, and develop full‑time staff members encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment
Represent the Marketing team in larger org‑wide working group settings
Manage the marketing budget, monitor expenses closely to increase value
Qualifications An ideal candidate will have high degrees of professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity, combined with excellent attention to detail and organizational and interpersonal skills (oral and written). You should have a strong mix of the following:
A minimum of 10 years of proven experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Experience in sports or entertainment is a plus
Proven experience managing multiple full‑time staff team members
Experience handling large budgets and departmental operations
Working familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and events
A strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in high‑level planning and hands‑on execution, with keen attention to detail and timelines
Profound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologies
Strong ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad‑hoc requests
A supportive, motivated, experienced team leader that inspires others towards continuous learning and success
Excellent teammate, with positive energy and proven ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partners
Ability to multi‑task and remain organized and motivated both individually and as a team member in a fast‑paced and performance‑based environment
Possess an uncompromised ability to protect the confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing cross‑functional stakeholders and senior leaders
Ability to contribute to and build a balanced, productive work environment with positive relationships, and follow through on duties as assigned
Initiative and dedication to challenge self and continually strive for improvement
Compensation & Benefits The base salary range for this role is $125,000 – $150,000 annually + annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
The Chicago Bulls offer competitive benefits and perks. Our full‑time offerings include, but are not limited to:
Low premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage
401(k) with employer match plus annual discretionary contribution
Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care as well as commuter benefits
Paid time‑off including vacation, sick, holiday, days of significance, and parental leave
Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access
Complimentary snacks, lunch and dinner (if working games / events)
Pet Insurance
The Chicago Bulls offer workplace flexibility. Full‑time remote work is not an option for this role and interested applicants should be currently located in or prepared to move to the Chicagoland area. This role will require a flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
We are an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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Responsibilities Set Strategic Direction
Develop long‑term strategic plans to guide and shape the work of the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams
Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations that align brand and revenue goals collaborating alongside key stakeholders
Develop and implement fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values, aimed at driving affinity, loyalty, and conversion
Play pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales
Serve key leadership role in driving collaborative efforts that develop programs and initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation
Drive the development of the organization’s youth marketing strategy
Grow and Manage Brand Assets and Initiatives
Ensure org‑wide alignment on initiatives that span across multiple departments (e.g., ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, cause marketing efforts)
Own fan development initiatives that bring new fans into the mix and deepen existing fan relationships
Own and direct the Bulls “institutional assets” (i.e., drops, in‑arena signage) to ensure we are maximizing their use and impact
Lead External Brand Collaborations
Steer collaborative efforts with other Chicago teams, groups, and vendors to expand brand and reach and strengthen relationships with fans
Explore opportunities to partner with brands in and outside of the sports industry on relevant cross‑promotional collaborations that support org‑wide goals
Drive Measurable Results
Identify data capture opportunities to bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem and work cross‑departmentally to develop approaches to report attributable revenue and brand value
Work with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to develop processes to track and measure team efforts to ensure marketing efforts drive results
Develop Staff and Lead Marketing Admin Functions
Manage, mentor, and develop full‑time staff members encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment
Represent the Marketing team in larger org‑wide working group settings
Manage the marketing budget, monitor expenses closely to increase value
Qualifications An ideal candidate will have high degrees of professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity, combined with excellent attention to detail and organizational and interpersonal skills (oral and written). You should have a strong mix of the following:
A minimum of 10 years of proven experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Experience in sports or entertainment is a plus
Proven experience managing multiple full‑time staff team members
Experience handling large budgets and departmental operations
Working familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and events
A strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in high‑level planning and hands‑on execution, with keen attention to detail and timelines
Profound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologies
Strong ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad‑hoc requests
A supportive, motivated, experienced team leader that inspires others towards continuous learning and success
Excellent teammate, with positive energy and proven ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partners
Ability to multi‑task and remain organized and motivated both individually and as a team member in a fast‑paced and performance‑based environment
Possess an uncompromised ability to protect the confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing cross‑functional stakeholders and senior leaders
Ability to contribute to and build a balanced, productive work environment with positive relationships, and follow through on duties as assigned
Initiative and dedication to challenge self and continually strive for improvement
Compensation & Benefits The base salary range for this role is $125,000 – $150,000 annually + annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
The Chicago Bulls offer competitive benefits and perks. Our full‑time offerings include, but are not limited to:
Low premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage
401(k) with employer match plus annual discretionary contribution
Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care as well as commuter benefits
Paid time‑off including vacation, sick, holiday, days of significance, and parental leave
Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access
Complimentary snacks, lunch and dinner (if working games / events)
Pet Insurance
The Chicago Bulls offer workplace flexibility. Full‑time remote work is not an option for this role and interested applicants should be currently located in or prepared to move to the Chicagoland area. This role will require a flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
We are an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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