Department Summary:

Drake University's Athletics Department competes in the Missouri Valley Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Bulldog student-athletes thrive in the classroom and their respective field of play. Drake Athletics sport programs are considered Des Moines’ Hometown Team.

The department culture is predicated on a common value statement known as The Bulldog Way written by coaches, staff, and student-athletes. This intentional commitment to a championship culture is led by integrity, excellence, wanting the best for and best from one another, and aspiring to greatness provides a foundation for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff to study, work, and play.

Job Summary:

Drake Athletics is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the opening of Director of Athletics Marketing. Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, this position leads the marketing, promotion and fan engagement for all eighteen Drake sport programs, in addition to the iconic Drake Relays, Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile, in coordination with university communications, Drake Relays staff and local consultants.

The Director of Athletics Marketing coordinates the retail marketing efforts for the department to increase attendance, ticket sales, revenue and fan engagement across Drake Athletics events. Furthermore, the responsibilities include brand management, sponsor activation and utilization commitments, in addition to working with graphic designers. The Director of Athletics Marketing is responsible for full-time staff, including the assistant director of athletics marketing, cheer head coach, along with oversight of a student marketing team.

The Director of Athletics Marketing serves as a project leader for department-wide marketing initiatives, coordinating timelines, deliverables, resources and internal and external partners to ensure projects are executed effectively and on schedule.

The Director of Athletics Marketing is a key member of the Athletics Department External Operations unit composed of unit leaders tasked to provide insights and direction to the Director of Athletics and Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations.

This position will work nights, weekends, and possibly holidays. Other duties as assigned.
All of the duties described above require an understanding of and compliance with the rules of the NCAA, the Missouri Valley Conference, and Drake University.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business or related degree.
• Three (3) to Five (5) years of progressive athletics marketing work experience.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Commitment to the standards set forth by Drake University and the NCAA.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Masters degree in marketing, communication, athletics administration, or a related degree.
• Three (3) years of experience developing, leading and implementing sports marketing plans, including paid media, email marketing, and new customer acquisition.
• Knowledge of scripting in-venue productions, to potentially include sponsorship fulfillment during home athletic events.
• Experience with developing and creating content for social media in support of revenue generation and fan engagement goals.
• Three (3) years of experience working in athletics at a college/university or comparable preferred.

Job Duties:

• 20% - Develop, organize, implement and provide oversight for all athletic and sports specific marketing plans using audience insights and data to drive attendance, community awareness, ticket sales, revenue and fan engagement. Collaborate with ticketing, athletic communications, video production, on-campus and community organizations to increase reach departmental goals. - (Essential)
• 20% - Oversee in-game promotions, event scripting and presentation of home athletic events. Develop and implement strategies to enhance the overall fan experience and create engaging, entertaining and consistent event environments across Drake Athletics. Oversee the development and execution of promotional elements, contests, music, entertainment, sponsor activations, hosts/emcees and other in game features to align with departmental objectives. - (Essential)
• 15% - Collaborate with Director of the Drake Relays to implement the following for the Drake Relays, Drake Road Races, and Grand Blue Mile: email marketing campaigns, social media strategy, advertising and project manager for all collateral creation. - (Essential)
• 15% - Lead all athletics advertising, email marketing and collateral material production. Oversee audience research, marketing strategy and execution of advertising buys, and collaborate with assistant director of athletics marketing, athletics communication staff and contracted graphic designers on creative development of promotional materials and social media strategy. - (Essential)
• 10% - Supervise assistant director of athletics marketing, head coach of Drake Cheer, and act as liaison with Live Mascot Director, Band Director and Dance Advisor. Hire and supervise mascot. - (Essential)
• 5% - Create, implement and oversee community outreach projects to promote the Drake Athletics brand. Assist in providing direction and oversight of athletic department brand management and licensing. - (Essential)
• 5% - Manage annual marketing, cheer/band and student wage budgets as well as oversee utilization of marketing focused trade budgets. - (Essential)
• 5% - Work collaboratively with corporate sales to activate partnerships through marketing, digital, in-game and event assets as stated in agreements. - (Essential)
• 5% - Serve as a key member of the Athletics Department External Operations leadership team in supporting its commitment to Drake’s mission, core values, and student athletes; provide excellent customer service and support to internal and external stakeholders. Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, as directed. Perform other duties, as assigned. - (Essential)

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits