Associate/Director of Basketball Marketing and Fan Experience

JOB SUMMARY

UConn Athletics is seeking a dynamic, creative, and strategic leader to serve as the Associate Director or Director of Basketball Marketing and Fan Experience. This newly created position will be responsible for shaping and executing a best-in-class marketing plan and fan experience for UConn Men’s and Women’s Basketball, with a primary focus on elevating game presentation, atmosphere, and in-venue engagement. This individual will play a critical role in enhancing the UConn brand, driving attendance, and creating memorable, high-energy environments that distinguish UConn as a national leader in the fan experience space—while cultivating a top-tier home-court advantage in direct support of UConn’s student-athletes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Marketing and Promotional Plans

• Responsible for developing and coordinating marketing plans and promotional activities for UConn Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs, with emphasis on fan experience and revenue generation. Such plans may incorporate grassroots, traditional and digital marketing.

• Develop and execute comprehensive game themes that enhance the overall fan experience, create memorable in-venue atmospheres, and drive engagement, attendance, and fan enjoyment across UConn Basketball events.

• Collaborate with digital marketing staff on email marketing strategy, including, but not limited to, creation of timelines, graphics preparation, and identification of targeted mailing lists from athletics database.

Fan Experience and Game Presentation

• Lead the overall strategy and execution of game presentation and fan experience initiatives for UConn Men’s and Women’s Basketball.

• Partners with coaches, administrators, and external strategy teams to align fan experience goals with departmental priorities.

• Continuously innovate and evolve in-game entertainment to ensure a fresh, engaging, and best-in-class atmosphere.

• Oversee planning, alignment and execution of all in-venue entertainment elements, such as:

  • Team introductions

  • National anthem performances

  • Music programming

  • Videoboard/LED content

  • In-game features, promotions and entertainment

  • Emcees and PA Announcers

  • UConn band and spirit integration

  • On-court activations and ceremonies

  • Halftime/intermission entertainment

• Produce detailed game scripts and run-of-show documents

• Serve as primary show-caller for games, ensuring seamless execution of all elements

Creative Development & Collaboration

• Lead ideation and creative planning sessions focused on enhancing game atmosphere and fan engagement.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, communications, creative services, video production and external partners to ensure alignment with brand messaging and storytelling.

• Work closely with Learfield (multimedia rights partner) to develop engaging, sponsor-aligned in-game content and activations.

• Partner with the UConn Band, cheer, dance, and mascot programs to deliver a uniquely collegiate and high-energy environment.

Student & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with other marketing department staff and student section leadership to enhance the experience and drive student attendance and participation.

• Develop and execute in-game elements that resonate with diverse fan segments, including students, families, and alumni.

Technology, Innovation & Feedback

• Identify and develop gameday revenue generation opportunities, including premium fan experiences and unique access initiatives, to enhance engagement while driving incremental revenue for UConn Athletics.

• Evaluate, implement, and manage fan experience technologies to enhance in-venue engagement.

• Utilize data, post-event surveys, and fan feedback to continuously refine and improve the experience.

• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in sports entertainment and live event production.

Operations & Management

• Oversee and manage gameday staff and student interns responsible for executing in-game elements and promotions.

• Manage relationships with external vendors, production crews, and entertainment talent.

• Ensure all elements are executed at a high level while adhering to operational standards and budget expectations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in game presentation, live event production, sports marketing, or a related field.

• Proven experience producing live basketball events and managing in-game entertainment elements.

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement creative concepts that enhance fan engagement and the game-day experience.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

• Experience communicating and collaborating across multiple stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 years of experience in basketball game-presentation and show calling at the Division 1 or Professional Sports-level.