Executive Director, Brand and Fan Marketing

JDS Sports; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premiums

Life insurance

401(k) with employer match

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Complimentary game tickets

Parking and gym access

Snacks and meals

Pet insurance

Job summary

The Chicago Bulls are building a forward-looking marketing capability to grow fan development and brand equity. We seek an Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing to lead vision, planning, and execution across Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams.

The role reports to the VP of Brand Marketing and Fan Development and emphasizes data-driven insights, stakeholder collaboration, and driving measurable fan growth and loyalty while supporting ticket sales and partner activation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in marketing or brand strategy or related field.
• Experience in lifecycle marketing/CRM is required.
• Experience in sports or entertainment is a plus.
• Proven team leadership with 2–3 direct reports.
• Strong data capture, analytics, and KPI-driven mindset.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams.
• Lead plans for tentpole activations to grow brand value and audience.
• Develop fan engagement strategies using insights and data.
• Support ticket sales through overarching marketing strategies.
• Drive collaboration with partnerships sales and activation.
• Develop youth marketing and other priority fan programs.
• Align initiatives across departments and maximize brand assets.
• Measure results and report attributable revenue and brand value.
• Lead staff development and mentoring within the team.
• Manage budgets and ensure cost-efficient, impact-driven spend.

Skills

Brand strategy

Marketing leadership

Data-driven marketing

Fan engagement

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Executive Director, Brand and Fan Marketing

The Chicago Bulls, one of the most iconic and well-known global sports brands, are building a future-looking marketing capability that applies a combination of data-driven insight and creativity to drive fan development and support organizational growth. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing to help lead the vision, planning, and execution of initiatives that build brand equity, deepen fan loyalty, and grow our fanbase across key audiences and channels. Reporting to the Vice President of Brand Marketing and Fan Development, this individual will oversee two teams – Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development – that are charged with cultivating our fanbase to support future org-wide growth, ensuring our org-wide efforts are aligned and consistent, and driving maximum, measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Set Strategic Direction
• Develop long-term strategic plans to guide and shape the work of the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams
• Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations that drive brand growth and value, collaborating alongside key stakeholders
• Develop and implement fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values, aimed at driving affinity, loyalty, and conversion
• Play pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales
• Serve key leadership role in driving collaborative efforts that develop programs and initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation
• Drive the development of the organization’s youth marketing strategy and other priority fan development strategies
• Grow and Manage Brand Assets and Initiatives
• Ensure org-wide alignment on initiatives that span across multiple departments (e.g., ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, cause marketing efforts)
• Accountable for fan development initiatives that drive and scale fan acquisition as well as deepen and drive value from existing fan relationships
• Accountable for the Bulls “institutional/ owned channel assets” (i.e., retail drops, in-arena signage) to ensure we are maximizing their use and impact
• Drive Measurable Results
• Identify, test and scale data capture opportunities to bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem and work cross-departmentally to develop approaches to report attributable revenue and brand value
• Champion tying marketing efforts to measured results, and work with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to drive forward fan development data insights & measurement strategies
• Develop Staff and Lead Marketing Admin Functions
• Manage, mentor, and develop full-time staff members encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Represent and support the Brand & Integrated marketing team in larger org-wide working group settings
• Manage the brand & integrated budgets, monitor expenses closely to maximize results driven by the team

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will have high degrees of professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity, combined with excellent attention to detail and organizational and interpersonal skills (oral and written). You should have a strong mix of the following:A minimum of 15 years of proven experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Prior experience in lifecycle marketing/ CRM. Experience in sports or entertainment is a plusProven team leadership and significant people management experience with at least 2-3 direct reportsExperience handling large budgets and departmental operationsStrong familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and eventsA strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in high-level planning and hands‑on execution, with keen attention to detail and timelinesAn analytical thinker who views marketing as a business driver and embraces KPI goal setting and marketing measurement to drive their areas of the businessProfound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologiesStrong ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad hoc requestsA supportive, motivated, experienced team leader that inspires others towards continuous learning and successExcellent teammate, with positive energy and proven ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partnersAbility to multi-task and remain organized and motivated both individually and as a team member in a fast‑paced and performance‑based environmentPossess an uncompromised ability to protect the confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and recordsExcellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing cross‑functional stakeholders and senior leadersAbility to contribute to and build a balanced, productive work environment with positive relationships, and follow through on duties as assignedInitiative and dedication to challenge self and continually strive for improvement

Compensation & Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $155,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits for full-time employees include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive employee premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage.
• 100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match plus an annual discretionary contribution.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, as well as commuter benefits.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, days of significance, and parental leave.
• Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access.
• Complimentary snacks and lunch. If working games or events, dinner will also be complimentary.
• Pet insurance.

The Chicago Bulls offer workplace flexibility; however, full-time remote work is not available for this position. Candidates must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Chicagoland area. This role requires scheduling flexibility, including the ability to work evenings and weekends as business needs require.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.