Executive Associate Athletic Director for Marketing
Inside Higher Ed, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Executive Associate Athletic Director for Marketing
Department: Stanford Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER)
Location: Stanford, CA (On-site)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Job Code: 4144
Salary Range: $360,000 - $448,000
Position Summary
Stanford University seeks an experienced, innovative storyteller to serve as Executive Associate Athletic Director for Marketing. This pivotal leadership role will define and execute a brand vision that cultivates a deeper emotional connection to Stanford athletics, resulting in increased attendance, higher fan engagement, stronger donor affinity, and a larger Cardinal fanbase. The Exec Assoc AD will be a key cross‑functional partner tasked with strengthening and growing diverse audiences, translating institutional excellence into compelling narratives that resonate locally, nationally, and globally.
Core Responsibilities
- Define and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy that is deeply aligned with Stanford's organizational goals and brand identity.
- Own the development and maintenance of the brand identity, ensuring consistent, innovative storytelling and creative standards throughout the organization.
- Lead the content team in developing compelling marketing materials, including long‑form and real‑time digital content that highlights the student‑athlete experience.
Fan and Community Engagement
- Directly oversee the social media and content teams to develop strategies that acquire new fans and foster a genuine emotional bond with the existing base.
- Collaborate with community relations and events to align marketing initiatives with community engagement goals.
- Serve as a bridge builder to various parts of the university campus, including Student Life and the broader Bay Area community.
High‑Performing Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor an impactful marketing team of creators, providing clear goals and professional development opportunities.
- Provide exceptional mentorship to DAPER’s sport‑ and operationally‑focused employees to ensure a unified brand voice.
- Serve as an active participant in strengthening and driving the culture within the DAPER leadership team.
Stakeholder Management and Partnerships
- Maintain brand integrity across disparate groups of stakeholders, including the Admissions Committee and university cabinet‑level members.
- Support the Chair of Athletics and development leadership in fundraising activities by adding value through creative marketing initiatives.
- Serve as a liaison to academics and staff to service and evolve student support functions and academic excellence narratives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Master Storyteller: 10+ years of storytelling and marketing experience with a proven ability to translate engagement data into innovative narratives.
- Emotional Intelligence: Keen understanding of how to build deep relationships and foster a magnetic atmosphere for fans and student‑athletes.
- Cultural Stewardship: Thoughtful approach to the "new world" of college athletics, including NIL, while maintaining strict adherence to "Cardinal" values.
- Collaborative Mindset: Superior influencing skills with the ability to connect dots across silos and remove friction.
- Strategic Grit: Rigor, grit, and a relentless work ethic to balance multiple high‑priority projects in a fast‑paced environment.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or an advanced degree in Marketing or a related field is highly desirable.
- Experience: 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in athletics administration, marketing, or strategic execution.
- Content Leadership: 5+ years of supervisory experience leading diverse creative teams and content creators.
- Industry Insight: Deep familiarity growing audiences; prior experience within the college athletics space and increasing fanbases is ideal.
DAPER’s Integrity
This position, along with all DAPER coaches and staff, is responsible for the integrity of Stanford’s intercollegiate athletics program and for the reputation of Stanford University. It ensures that its involvement maintains the integrity of the University’s reputation and does not negatively impact the relationship between the University and its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The position must comply with University policies and procedures, NCAA and Conference rules and regulations.
Benefits
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time‑off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world‑class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
Pay and Rewards
The expected pay range for this position is $360,000 - $448,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good‑faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
EEO Statement
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
- Schedule: Full-time
- Job Code: 4144
- Employee Status: Regular
- Grade: O
- Requisition ID:
- Work Arrangement: On Site