Marketing, Senior Director, Brand Strategy & Fan Development – Kansas City Chiefs

Position Profile: Senior Director, Brand Strategy & Fan Development

Department: Marketing  

Reports to: CMO & Executive Vice President

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to hire a Senior Director, Brand Strategy & Fan Development. In a newly created role reporting directly to the CMO, we are looking for someone that is passionate and experienced in developing marketing plans and platforms that help to drive brand love and increased fandom amongst existing and new fans.  The Chiefs are uniquely positioned with a strong, large and loyal fanbase in Chiefs Kingdom and beyond.  Our opportunity is to continue to engage with these fans physically and virtually while looking at new ways to interact with a more casual fan both locally, nationally and internationally which will need innovative and creative solutions. 

The Sr. Director role will be to strategically lead, develop and execute the brand strategy in our ongoing effort to become the world’s team.  In partnership with the Brand Strategy and Fan Development team, this role will be responsible for Club and League level platforms (Season Campaign, Playoffs etc.) including building new platforms and efforts to further engage with our avid fans while actively recruiting new fans (ex. Gen X, Latin, Women) 

The successful candidate will have significant experience in every facet of consumer-facing marketing from research to strategy to creative to in-market performance marketing inclusive of short-term and long-term planning in support of brand health, retention, and marketing platform engagement goals. 

The Kansas City Chiefs strive to create a championship culture on and off the field. Join us and be a part of amplifying one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. The success of this role will be to lead an effective and highly collaborative team by being analytical and creatively minded, the ability to develop strong relationships and to always consider the impact that sports can have on fans lives, near and far.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  1. Directly responsible for the strategic planning of key cross-organizational initiatives, long-term planning, and marketing campaigns for Chiefs & NFL Tentpole events including Season Opening, Playoffs, Key Cause related platforms, Youth and more. 
  2. Set strategy, define key objectives and KPIs, develop marketing tactics, and oversee brand positioning to connect with current avid and new fans. 
  3. Lead a cross-functional and collaborative briefing, execution, and measurement process across internal and external teams, crafting and leading effective strategies and integrated plans designed to meet/exceed goals. 
  4. Experience in strong consumer understanding and channel planning to drive the most effective and efficient message to our fan groups. 
  5. Oversee the creation of content marketing assets to bring brand programs to life, build positive brand sentiment, and drive awareness and fan engagement. 
  6. Oversee key established and new youth/school level fan focused initiatives and platforms including Chiefs Flag, Chiefs Kids Club, Training Lab etc. 
  7. Work with strategy, insights, and influencer teams to implement an integrated communications process across the Department, from insights to message creation to dissemination of message across the ecosystem. 
  8. Deep collaboration with project management team, creative team and channel teams to ensure brief and plans are clear, timelines are met, and budget is managed. 
  9. Oversee the creation of content marketing assets to bring brand programs to life, build positive brand sentiment, and drive awareness and fan engagement. 
  10. Work with strategy, insights, and influencer teams to implement an integrated communications process across the Department, from insights to message creation to dissemination of message across the ecosystem. 
  11. Partnership with the team that is overseeing International expansion in Germany and Mexico in finding ways to grow the brand globally. 
  12. Responsible for overseeing 2 full time employees plus seasonal interns 

COMPETENCIES:

  1. Analytical Skills-Synthesize information; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs and generates creative solutions. 
  2. Problem Solving-Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully. Must be able to develop solutions quickly and effectively.  
  3. Oral Communications-Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification. Demonstrates group presentation skills and participates in meetings. 
  4. Written Communications- Writes clearly and informatively. 
  5. Change Management-Communicates changes effectively. Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change and monitors transition.  
  6. Leadership-Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well. Readily accepts feedback from others and provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Displays enthusiasm, passion and optimism.  
  7. Diversity-Demonstrates knowledge of the EEO policy and shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Trains and educates others on the value of diversity and promotes a harassment free environment.  
  8. Innovation-Displays original thinking and creativity. Meets challenges with resourcefulness. 
  9. Judgment-Displays willingness to make decisions and exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Includes appropriate people in decision making process.  
  10. Motivation-Demonstrates excellent personal motivation and encourages others to be motivated and enthusiastic. Shows persistence and overcomes obstacles. Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.  

REQUIREMENTS: 

  1. 8-10+ years of consumer brand marketing experience from either a consumer brand or product, professional sports league, or top performing agency, with a proven track record of success. 
  2. Exceptional communication skills (Oral and Written). Demonstrated ability to effectively interface with senior management. Experience with marketing-related public speaking engagements a plus. 
  3. 4+ years of team management experience. Demonstrated expertise in building, developing, and coaching a team of marketing professionals. 
  4. Superior leaderships skills; demonstrated ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers. 
  5. Strong experience in the digital, social and new media space 
  6. Strong Strategic ability, analytical skills, and bias for action. 
  7. BA/BS from top undergraduate university with degree in marketing, communications, or related field. 
  8. People first and creatively minded, a strong sense of passionate and positivity to create and execute new thinking, strong collaborator while being adaptable and agile. 
  9. Ability to influence others without formal authority; motivate teams from across the business 
  10. Ability to communicate difficult messages tactfully and act with influence 
  11. Passionate for team collaboration & a plus if there is a love of sports or desire to learn  

Director, International Marketing – Minnesota Vikings

General Statement of Duties: The Director, International Marketing will serve as the Vikings lead on the international HMA initiative as the organization looks to expand its marketing efforts in Canada and the UK. The position will work closely with the club’s international agency as well as internal groups and the NFL to hone a unified strategy aimed at achieving sustained international growth and engagement while generating revenue opportunities. The position will work with the Executive Director, Digital Media & Innovation to identify future markets of opportunity while creating new marketing campaigns and content opportunities. 

Areas of Responsibility:

  • Serve as primary organizational contact on international marketing, collaborating with other departments and creating a cohesive strategy across internal groups
  • Work with international marketing agency on social strategy, events, marketing campaigns, and international content development
  • Serve as the lead with the NFL International team, working closely with NFL UK and NFL Canada offices as well
  • Collaborate with the Revenue and Partnership Activation teams, to ideate around potential alignment with regards to international campaigns, content series and events, as well as secure new corporate partnerships
  • Communicate IHMA rules and opportunities with internal stakeholders
  • Work closely with Vikings social team to align strategy across all club accounts
  • Serve as organizational lead for the Vikings Summer Tour for both UK and Canada
  • Work with internal groups and international agency to plan and execute international events
  • Work closely with merchandise team to integrate opportunities into international marketing strategy
  • Report yearly/monthly metrics around international KPIs and growth audiences
  • Analyze future international marketing opportunities, working with agency partners as well as internal business intelligence team
  • Manage international budget, working closely with finance on P&L and reporting
  • Work with legal team to ensure compliance to international marketing rules
  • Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

  • A minimum of 8+ years of experience in marketing, digital, content or a related field.
  • Knowledge of social media, marketing, and events best practices
  • Versatility in working with various leaders, executives, and other staff members on a daily basis.
  • Experience creating and delivering approachable reports for various stakeholders.
  • Strong technical skills, digital and social marketing experience, and a proven ability to tackle hard, ambiguous problems with rigor and independence.
  • Ability to work various hours, holidays and weekends a must.
  • Collaborative team player, capable of building a maintaining strong relationships across the company.
  • In depth understanding of the international landscape, previous international marketing experience is preferred
  • Strong football knowledge is a plus.

CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:  This position may require the individual to have access to confidential records and information.  To successfully perform this position, confidentiality of the information with which the individual has contact must be maintained.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting and moving boxes etc. 
  • Must have the ability to work from elevated locations, climb ladders, and lifting unassisted 

 WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Standard office for regular office hours, on-site events

OUR DEI Commitment: The Minnesota Vikings are committed to creating and sustaining a culture for you. Whoever you are, we are an organization that embraces and empowers people of all backgrounds and experiences and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the foundation of everything we do. We are proud to have a culture that empowers our people to harness their uniqueness to develop their full potential as a contributor to the success of the organization and the communities we serve. The Minnesota Vikings are an equal opportunity employer, and we continue to commit to creating equitable opportunities by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.