Director of Marketing | Full-Time | Memorial Booth Stadium - job 1 of 2

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Director of Marketing will manage, supervise and coordinate all the activities of the Marketing department to reach budgeted goals, supporting all three lines of OVG business at the University of Kansas.  This person will create and implement marketing plans, manage event advertising budgets and promotions, and ensure successful event campaigns. This position is responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with media partners, community partners, and various organizations throughout the area. They will oversee the media buying and billing process, oversee the brand for the venues, public relations, community outreach, promotions, group sales and publicity for the venue and the events: concerts, sporting events, meetings, and shows within the facility, while developing creative marketing campaigns that promote public/community awareness.

This role pays an annual salary of $90,000 to $110,000 and is bonus eligible. 

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until August 15, 2025.

About the Venue

In its new partnership with the University of Kansas (KU), OVG will oversee the day-to-day operations of both the football stadium and conference center when Phase I of the Gateway District opens in August, 2025. The group will lead the bookings of conference events, special events and concerts, while operating a full-service performing dining center for Kansas Athletics and all food and beverage/catering operations at the complex.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate marketing strategies to promote concerts/shows and venues
• Responsible for the creation, development and implementation of the Gateway District strategic marketing and advertising plan
• Explore cross-marketing opportunities with between events, area partners and throughout the community 
• Create and maintain relationships with local, regional and industry media partners and promoters
• Collaborate with the University of Kansas, Kansas Athletics and other campus/area stakeholders on promoting and selling the Gateway District
• Operates in alignment with the KU branding (brand.ku.edu) and KU policies as applicable
• Seeks out and engages in collaborations with KU units, especially those in marketing, to create synergies and efficiencies
• Develop and execute marketing plans to promote all artists/tours coming to Lawrence
• Develop and implement creative campaigns targeting promoters and show organizers to sell the Gateway District as an entertainment and conference destination
• Negotiate contracts and implement creative cash/trade proposals/campaigns with media partners including digital, radio, print, TV and outdoor
• Create pre-show and post-show guest experiences that draw guests to the venue and surrounding area
• Manage internal marketing assets for all events including but not limited to marquees (digital billboards), in-arena digital video boards and ticket giveaways, LED ribbons, posters and more
• Develop and execute social media campaigns, email marketing, and promotions to drive sales, fan engagement and brand awareness
• Prepare press releases, pitches and media drops for events and venue initiatives
• Write or review copies for news releases, public service announcements, and weekly calendars concerning upcoming events and provides for distribution to the media, business chambers and visitor service bureau
• Carefully coordinate activities with all internal departments and external personnel to ensure project success
• Create and manage brand voice for both venues on all social media platforms and external marketing effort
• Prepare and maintain project budgets, work closely with General Manager on post-show recaps
• Collaborate closely with partner ticketing groups to ensure all event aspects are accurate and running accordingly
• Research and follow current music marketing trends, venue marketing efforts and implement best practices in the day-to-day activation
• Analyze marketing efforts and adjust efforts based on learnings, trends, and activity
• Create and implement grassroots initiatives for all events
• Enhance existing promotional initiatives and develop innovative marketing programs and initiatives to maximize ROI such as third-party partnerships, new media avenues, etc.
• Participate in the development and implementation of annual marketing goals, objectives, and management of department budget
• Direct the hiring and training of marketing staff members and oversee their daily activities, including graphic design, in accordance with company policy and addressing complaints and resolving problems as needed
• Interpret the venue customer experience to be measured
• Responsible for measuring, reporting and achieving performance against agreed upon service levels and ROIs
• Plan and oversee venue’s advertising and promotion activities including print, electronic, and digital outlets. This includes full-cycle production including but not limited to writing all ad copy; working with outside advertising agencies on ongoing projects; working with graphic designers and printers to oversee design, layout and production of promotional materials
• Develop self-produced revenue generating events
• Recommend changes in basic structure and organization of marketing group to ensure the effective fulfillment of objectives assigned to it and provide the flexibility to move swiftly in relation to marketing problems and opportunities
• Standardize reporting of digital marketing campaigns using Google Analytics to track revenue and KPIs
• Provide thought leadership, data analysis, and strategic focus to our marketing communications, customer experience strategies and brand management
• Maintain knowledge of trends/best practices and influence the business, project teams and peer groups to constantly innovate and align around an integrated strategy
• Leverage strong research and analytical skills analyze data and inform management on key perceptions and trends to drive strong decision making

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or better from an accredited college or university with major coursework in marketing, public relations, business administration or other related field
• Minimum of 5-7 years of increasingly responsible experience in sales and/or marketing required, preferably with a sports facility, convention center, performing arts facility or other multi-purpose public assembly facility
• Knowledge of marketing and advertising/sponsorship program development
• Knowledge of public relations
• Knowledge of website maintenance
• Knowledge of social media platforms
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, graphic design, PowerPoint and Internet software
• Proficiency with publishing software such as Microsoft Publisher, Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop
• Proficiency with media buying and promotions
• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to work nights and weekends as required
• Ability to work with wide array of client groups, vendors and business partners enterprise-wide
• Instruct and assist current vendor community with social media marketing strategies for their individual business locations on the fairgrounds
• Analytical skills to forecast and identify trends and challenges using website analytics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to project a professional manner and appearance, and communicate effectively with clients, senior management, staff and the general public
• Working knowledge of mobile, POS and payments to digital menu boards, guest apps and loyalty systems
• Digital expertise with various digital channels including website optimization, social media, and data acquisition.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and an internal motivation that inspires others to think more and do more
• Creativity skills that inspire brand loyalty
• Innovator with increasing per caps and generating profitability
• A passion for building success that can be measured with data
• A results-driven leader who thinks in terms of ROI
• Demonstrated experience influencing peers and leadership teams
• Ability to operationalize a strategy
• Flexible skill set that can be applied across a variety of relationships/situations
• Demonstrable track record of success
• Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies and methodologies in graphic design, web design, production, etc.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS SharePoint and MS Outlook)
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications
• Knowledge of website design and social media platforms
• Knowledge of CRM software
• Demonstrated skills in graphic design

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.