Assistant Athletic Director, Digital Strategy

The Stanford University Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Athletics Director, Digital Strategy. Reporting to the Associate Athletics Director, Marketing, this position will lead and manage the Digital Strategy staff, creating and executing a bold vision for an innovative consumer digital experience and digital brand advancement, rooted in strategic direction, authentic brand activation and deep fanbase understanding.

In collaboration with Marketing, Creative Video, Graphic Design and Communications teams, this role will support all Stanford Athletics efforts to attract, excite, and communicate with fans, followers and prospective student-athletes; develop content strategies that follow and amplify our 36 Division I varsity programs; build brand affinity for Stanford Athletics; and support revenue generating efforts.

This position serves as a key leader in driving creativity and cohesiveness amongst Stanford Athletics digital platforms; defining and coordinating social media, website and mobile app efforts for Stanford University's athletic programs; and assisting in visual brand strategy development and execution. Further, the position is responsible for driving continuous process improvement in all aspects of our digital media output and adopting new technologies and strategies as appropriate. Successful execution of this role will enhance and protect the Stanford Athletics brand across all owned digital mediums, celebrating our rich history while enticing fans, the local community, and elite prospective student-athletes to join us on The Farm. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Summary of essential job functions:

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the Digital Strategy team, including goal-setting, timely feedback, product education, and talent development.

• Showcase the Stanford Athletics brand and its 36 varsity programs by working in conjunction with various units in the department and university to maximize engagement, increase traffic, and drive revenue on digital platforms.

• Manage and leverage University department partnerships to enhance and widen Athletics reach and brand advancement efforts.

• Serve as the primary point of contact with contractors/vendors/consultants/partners for digital tools and development.

• Own digital development efforts with a focus on UX/UI and search engine optimization.

• Lead the collaborative content strategy development with Director, Creative Video and Associate Athletics Director, Marketing, for creative video and graphic design assets produced for all social media platforms, including promotional, highlight and recruiting creative.

• Consistently communicate with coaches and other varsity program staff, understanding individual program needs and circumstances while setting digital support expectations in adherence to the overall content strategy.

• Facilitate the planning, activation and tracking of sponsored digital content inventory and messaging.

• Contribute to the creation of a coordinated annual, monthly, and weekly content calendars to promote Stanford Athletics and its 36 varsity sports on all social media platforms to enhance the Cardinal brand for current and prospective fans, donors and student-athletes.

• Utilize website, mobile app and social media analytics to create reports for internal use for optimizing and measuring success of content strategies.

• Support the implementation of, and evergreen commitment to, the Stanford Athletics brand campaign and guidelines, ensuring all owned digital platforms have a consistent look and feel, from visual imagery to content tone and cadence.

• Recruit, train and oversee full-time Digital Strategy team future internship opportunities.

• At times, support in the creation of graphic design content for social, web, and advertising mediums for the broader Athletics brand.

• Work closely with External Relations' digital strategy, marketing, graphic design and communications teams (and other departments intermittently) on both sport and departmental initiatives and campaigns, from initial concept to completion.

• Work with coaches and staff to provide digital best practices for their individual brands and team accounts.

• Maintain quality control of content.

• Inspect proofs for accuracy and adherence to appropriate production standards.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

• Minimum 3-4 years of experience managing and executing digital strategy for a brand, with demonstrated experience in providing strategic leadership, setting expectations, and contributing to the overall digital output.

• 5-6 years of relevant digital media experience or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Comfortability with tight deadlines and the ability to answer to multiple constituents and prioritize projects, including working on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Self-motivated individual who takes initiative on new projects, and proactively identifies new opportunities.

• Anticipates and/or responds effectively to changing industry and cultural trends, welcomes fresh perspectives, and learns from past mistakes to adjust accordingly.

• Ability to incorporate feedback to improve digital content and adapt to shifting priorities.

• Extensive functional knowledge of social media platforms, and experience managing/developing a brand/team website and mobile app.

• Experience using the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.

• Strong organizational and communication (both written and verbal) skills.

• Ability to perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Team player who can effectively work with others and is willing to "roll up their sleeves" to help out when needed.

• Must be flexible to travel for select events and work non-traditional hours.

• Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as well as other associations and agencies to which Stanford University adheres, and, at all times avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards.

The expected pay range for this position is $80,000-105,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time

• Job Code: 4893

• Employee Status: Regular

• Grade: I

• Requisition ID: 102929

• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible