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.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, permanent position. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA). This position will require including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499694 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the stated minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications they may possess in their application materials.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on July 7, 2026.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.