Director of Fan Engagement

Job Summary

The Director of Fan Engagement will be responsible for leading all aspects of the marketing and game day experience for fans and community members attending Harvard Athletics events for assigned ticketed and non-ticketed sports. This role will be the main driver for providing our fans, students, and greater community with an authentic, one-of-a-kind experience. This role will heavily strategize and develop an approach to the fan experience that emphasizes attendance and engagement from the Harvard community, especially students, alumni, and local community members, working to meet the department’s goals for attendance. This role will need to innovate and create unique promotional concepts and game day activations that portray the Harvard and Ivy League brands while enhancing the student-athlete experience.

This role will be required to attend home varsity Athletics events throughout the academic year for assigned sports and select marquee events. This role will work cross-functionally with our student-athletes, coaches, operations staff, Multimedia teams, and Facilities and Events to implement cohesive and effective fan experience strategies.

Position Description

• Create a dynamic and interactive game-day environment for assigned sports; strategize, plan, direct, and execute game production efforts for select sports with videoboards in a supervisory manner, including the creation of game scripts, videoboard content and graphics, execution of in-game promotions, sponsorship integration, and fulfillment, and coordination with school spirit groups (Band, Cheer, Dance, student groups)
• Develop and execute integrated, innovative promotional concepts for assigned sports with an emphasis on community engagement and generating attendance; act as primary Marketing contact for assigned sports and be the direct liaison between Marketing and team staff and student-athletes
• Assist in interviewing, hiring, and managing two full-time Marketing Interns, plus a team of 10-15 Gameday Marketing support staff, and provide continuous supervision, development, and feedback throughout the academic year
• Innovate and develop new, comprehensive student engagement strategies to increase awareness of Athletics resources and attendance at home events
• Manage all aspects and execution efforts for the student rewards platform (CrimZone Rewards app) and relationship with external vendor (SuperFan U); analyze app performance and student engagement, as well as industry best practices to make recommendations on future student and fan engagement platforms
• Assist with the creation of brand-conscious content and design elements, including print collateral, social media and web graphics, and in-game videoboard graphics
• Develop a robust Harvard Athletics youth membership program and manage all operations, including but not limited to promotion, execution, vendor management, and engagement.
• Interviews, hires, and manages staff of Public Address Announcers for ticketed sports; assigns work/events and reviews performance based on overall effect on fan engagement
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5 or more years of progressive experience in college athletics or professional sports marketing, or relevant field
• Event and game management experience
  
  

Additional Qualifications And Skills

• Game production/management experience; background with scripting systems (Rundown Creator, Shoflo)
• Project management experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills and be able to collaborate
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills, detail-oriented
• Experience in developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programming
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Supervisory experience desirable
  
  

Working Conditions

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
  
  

Work Format: On-site

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Additional Information

Harvard is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission is to educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. The College is a residential institution of nearly 7,000 undergraduates and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is deeply committed to the intellectual, social and personal transformation of its undergraduates during their four years at Harvard.

The Department of Athletics offers 42 varsity programs for men and women, more than any other Division I school in the United States. We also offer extensive recreational and intramural programs.

Harvard employees have access to a competitive benefits package that includes multiple options for the health and well-being of our employees as well as ongoing professional development.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources. We regret that, due to the number of responses we typically receive, we may be unable to respond to phone calls or contact personally those applicants not selected for an interview.

We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

We actively seek and welcome applications from diverse candidates and from those with a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
  
  

Job Function

Athletics, Communications

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

CM0657 Public/Media Rltn Ofr III

Work Format

On-Site

Department

Athletics

Sub-Unit

Athletics

Time Status

Full-time

Salary Grade

057

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Schedule

Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.