Department Code
34200-7030
Job Title
Senior Associate Athletics, Chief Marketing Officer
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$118,000 - $150,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Hours
Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs. Evening and weekend hours may be required.
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
Syracuse University Athletics is seeking a bold, innovative, and fan-centric leader to serve as Senior Associate Athletics Director, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Serving as a member of the Athletics Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Marketing Officer will lead the strategic vision, brand positioning, fan experience, storytelling, and audience growth efforts for Syracuse Athletics.
This role will oversee all aspects of marketing, fan experience, branding, communications, creative services, digital/social media, content strategy, and game presentation with a primary focus on transforming Syracuse into one of the premier fan and entertainment brands in college athletics.
The Chief Marketing Officer will serve as the central steward and strategic custodian of the Syracuse Athletics brand, ensuring alignment across marketing, fan engagement, storytelling, game presentation, digital platforms, and the overall public presentation of the department.
The ideal candidate will possess a modern sports and entertainment mindset with the creativity, urgency, and vision to elevate the Syracuse game-day atmosphere and digital presence. Syracuse Athletics seeks a leader capable of creating one of the premier fan experiences in college athletics through innovative storytelling, elite game presentation, immersive live entertainment, dynamic student engagement, and fan-first thinking.
The Chief Marketing Officer will play a central role in “weaponizing the Dome” and building one of the most electric and engaging atmospheres in college athletics while helping modernize the Syracuse Athletics brand nationally.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, sports management, business, entertainment management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in sports marketing, branding, fan experience, communications, live event production, entertainment, digital media, or related industries.
- Preferred qualifications -master’s degree in related field.
- Experience in Power Four athletics, professional sports, live entertainment, media, agency, or major event production environments.
- Experience driving measurable revenue growth through marketing, fan engagement, and audience development initiatives.
- Knowledge of emerging trends in sports entertainment, digital media, fan behavior, content monetization, and live event presentation.
- Experience working collaboratively across ticketing, sponsorship, NIL, fundraising, premium seating, and revenue generation functions.
- Demonstrated ability to create innovative student engagement and atmosphere-building initiatives.
Skills and Knowledge
- Demonstrated success leading innovative fan engagement, branding, content, or live entertainment strategies.
- Experience leading teams and managing complex, high-profile projects or initiatives.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think creatively, execute with urgency, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Brand Development
- Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise-wide marketing, branding, fan engagement, and storytelling strategy aligned with the vision and goals of Syracuse Athletics.
- Serve as the department’s lead strategist for audience growth, fan experience innovation, and brand positioning.
- Elevate the Syracuse Athletics brand nationally through innovative campaigns, digital storytelling, live entertainment concepts, and content strategy.
- Build a modern, experience-driven approach to college athletics marketing focused on atmosphere, emotion, culture, and authentic fan connection.
- Collaborate with athletics leadership, campus partners, and external stakeholders to align messaging and maximize institutional impact.
Fan Experience, Atmosphere & Game Presentation
- Lead the strategic vision for all in-venue entertainment, game presentation, and fan experience initiatives across all athletic venues, with an emphasis on football and basketball.
- Reimagine the JMA Wireless Dome experience & atmosphere through cutting-edge entertainment concepts, technology integration, lighting, audio, video, traditions, student engagement, and crowd activation.
- Create immersive, high-energy game environments that redefine the standard for college athletics entertainment and home-field advantage.
- Oversee game presentation strategy including music direction, scripting, pacing, promotions, halftime entertainment, crowd engagement, and in-game activations.
- Develop initiatives designed to create one of the premier student sections and home-field advantages in college athletics.
- Build fan-first experiences that increase attendance, loyalty, student participation, retention, and game-day energy.
Marketing, Revenue Generation & Audience Growth
- Oversee all athletics marketing strategies designed to increase ticket sales, attendance, premium experiences, sponsorship value, and revenue generation.
- Collaborate with ticket sales, development, NIL, sponsorship, and premium seating units to drive integrated revenue initiatives.
- Utilize CRM, analytics, fan insights, and consumer behavior trends to inform strategic decision-making.
- Lead advertising strategy, media buying, promotional planning, and audience acquisition efforts across digital, broadcast, print, and experiential channels.
- Collaborate with merchandise, licensing, and brand management partners to ensure consistency, alignment, and strategic growth of the Syracuse Athletics brand across all consumer touchpoints.
- Develop measurable KPIs and performance metrics for marketing effectiveness, fan engagement, and audience growth.
Digital Media, Creative Services & Communications
- Oversee digital media, social media, creative services, branding, photography, videography, athletics communications, and content strategy.
- Establish a unified and innovative storytelling strategy across all Syracuse Athletics platforms.
- Drive innovation in behind-the-scenes content, athlete storytelling, digital engagement, and emerging media platforms.
- Ensure consistency in visual identity, messaging, and brand standards across all sports and units.
- Collaborate with broadcast partners, the ACC, and external media partners to maximize visibility and exposure.
Leadership & Personnel Management
- Provide leadership, supervision, and strategic direction for marketing, fan experience, creative services, communications, digital media, and related external units.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing, creative, and collaborative teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, urgency, accountability, and fan-centric thinking.
- Manage departmental budgets and staffing plans for assigned units.
External Relations & Collaboration
- Represent Syracuse Athletics with campus leadership, media partners, conference offices, sponsors, vendors, and community stakeholders.
- Collaborate with campus units including Newhouse, Falk, Whitman, and Enrollment Marketing to develop innovative partnerships and experiential learning opportunities.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
