Assistant Director, Fan Engagement & Event Presentation (Project Management)

Oversee the presentation and atmosphere of home athletic events for assigned sports, ensuring an exceptional experience for fans and student-athletes. Manage the planning of all items that affect fans' experience in and around athletic venues to drive fan loyalty, retention, ticket sales and attendance.

Event Presentation

• Oversee all aspects of game day entertainment for assigned sports, including public address announcer, emcee, DJ or music operator, band and spirit squads
• Collaborate with SoonerVision to create engaging content for the videoboard, ensuring that graphics, videos and replays align with event objectives and fan engagement goals
• Collaborate with Sooner Sports Properties to ensure proper integration of sponsor messaging and activation strategies
• Manage event presentation budget for assigned sports including expenses for gameday staff, special effects (lighting, pyro), giveaways and halftime performers
• Ideate and implement in-venue entertainment including contests, recognitions and interactive concourse experiences
• Prepare timing sheets and event scripts to coordinate all elements of game presentation
• Maintain a high-energy, positive atmosphere throughout events, ensuring that the entertainment aligns with the department's brand and enhances the game day experience for all attendees
• Collaborate with Strategic Marketing, Digital Strategy & Revenue Innovation and Communications to deliver messaging to fans regarding upcoming promotions or event presentation enhancements that will help drive attendance

Fan Experience

• Collaborate with Event Operations to continuously optimize all areas of the fan experience on gamedays, including parking, ingress and restrooms
• Collaborate with Concessions to develop fan-friendly experiences that include food and beverage activations, themed promotions and enhanced service times
• Collaborate with Ticket Sales to incorporate behind-the-scenes experiences into gamedays for groups and birthday parties
• Collaborate with Digital Strategy & Revenue Innovation to develop and distribute post-game and/or postseason fan surveys
  • Analyze results and lead occasional meetings with relevant stakeholders to address opportunities for improvement
• Manage relationships with vendors and contractors including promotional suppliers, and special effects operators to ensure items/services are delivered on-time and within budget

Game Day Execution

• Supervise the game day entertainment team including staff and student workers to ensure that all entertainment components run smoothly and according to plan
• Schedule and coordinate logistics with performers, entertainers and contractors including national anthem performers, halftime performers, face painters, and more
• Serve as event showcaller by leading PA announcer, music operator, videoboard operator, emcee, lighting, stage manager, band and spirit through script to ensure alignment amongst all groups throughout event and to adjust as needed
• Support the execution of all football fan experience needs including setup and management of Party at the Palace, giveaways, flyovers and on-field features/recognitions
• Assist with management and maintenance of all gameday supplies and equipment including vehicles, t-shirt guns, signage and more.

Special Projects & Event Planning

• Manage the department's Fan Experience & Event Presentation student employees. including recruitment, hiring, onboarding/training, scheduling and professional development
• Plan and execute select special events for assigned sports including championship celebrations, coaches caravans, and preseason meet-and-greets

Required Education and Experience:  Bachelor's Degree AND;

• 2 years of experience in game or event presentation/marketing, fan engagement or related field

Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education & related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.

Skills:

• Ability to make decisions and manage multiple elements during high-pressure situations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and teams
• Creative thinking to solve problems on the fly and to identify innovative ways to entertain fans
• Strong attention to detail to ensure each element of gameday experience has been thoroughly planned and vetted
• Strong organization skills and ability manage multiple projects at a time

Certifications:

• None

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand, engage in repetitive motions, walk, communicate, hear and see, including color, depth perception and clarity.
• Ability to occasionally lift 30-50 pounds.

Supervision: Student Interns

Departmental Preferences:

• 3+ years' experience with a Division 1 athletics department or professional sports organization with specialization in event presentation
  
• Experience working with variety of gameday stakeholders including music operators, band, spirit teams, performers and more
  
• Knowledge of Shoflo, Sound Director and other event presentation programs
  

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.