Associate AD for Fan Engagement & Gameday Experience

Position Overview

Reporting to the Executive Senior Associate AD, the Associate Athletic Director for Fan Engagement & Gameday Experience serves as the department’s senior leader responsible for the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all in-venue fan experiences and event-day activations across University of Houston Athletics. This role focuses on live events, game presentation, atmosphere creation, fan services, and promotions execution, ensuring that every contest delivers a compelling, consistent, and revenue-supportive environment aligned with the UH brand and Big 12 standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of gameday experiences for all home athletic events to enhance fan engagement, attendance, and revenue generation

• Supervise staff responsible for gameday experience, fan engagement, promotions, and event presentation.

• Oversee the run-of-show development for athletics events, including timing, in-venue entertainment, traditions, promotions, recognitions, and atmosphere elements.

• Prepare and manage the overall fan engagement and gameday experience budget

• Ensure consistent brand standards and storytelling across all live events while allowing sport-specific customization.

• Oversee execution of theme nights, special events, rivalry games, alumni nights, student-focused events, and community engagement activations.

• Partner with Ticketing to support attendance growth, group experiences, student engagement, and retention initiatives through improved event atmosphere.

• Collect and analyze fan feedback and engagement metrics to inform continuous improvements.

• Direct all on-site promotions and experiential activations, including giveaways, contests, halftime/timeout entertainment, and fan participation elements.

• Collaborate with multimedia rights partner to execute sponsor activations in-venue, ensuring contractual fulfillment while maintaining fan-first experiences.

• Manage on-site student engagement efforts, including spirit groups, traditions, and student section coordination.

• Coordinate with band, cheer, mascots, and spirit programs to enhance energy and cohesion during events.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree required

·         Requires a minimum of five (5) year of directly job-related experience.

·         Demonstrated success leading gameday execution and fan experience initiatives at a Division I or professional level.

·         Strong understanding of college athletics culture, fan behavior, and live event dynamics.

·         Proven leadership experience managing full-time staff and event-day teams.

·         Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Required Qualifications

·         Master’s degree preferred

·         Experience in Big 12, Power Four, or professional sports environment.

·         Background working closely with ticket sales, event operations or sponsorship activation.

·         Strong operational mindset with the ability to make real-time decisions under pressure.

·         Experience implementing fan experience strategies in large venues

Application Process

The University of Houston invites resumes, expressions of interest, or additional questions to be submitted to Athletics Human Resources contact:

Brandon Maddux

Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations

UHATH_HR@uh.edu 

713-828-2465