Lead planning and creation for all content and design initiatives, including marketing materials, advertising campaigns, digital and social, logo development, in-stadium signage, and corporate partnership assets, among others; ensuring all content aligns with the Club’s overall brand, voice, and visual identity
Partner with Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications to manage and evolve a content strategy that reaches the current audience, along with reaching new fans across multiple channels and platforms
Develop content and video productions goals in alignment with the Club’s organizational and brand goals
Contribute to the marketing team’s overall strategy and success in team meetings, cross-department meetings, etc.
Prepare monthly analysis of key metrics for social engagement, website traffic, and video engagement
Oversee and implement brand standards and guidelines to ensure consistency across Club identity and logos
Lead a high-performing and diverse Content and Creative team and oversee their work to ensure high-quality creative work and efficiency; directionally guide decision-making from creative brief to finished output and concept development ensuring dependability and alignment
Lead the development of advertising and marketing campaigns across social platforms, website, broadcast, app, in-stadium, and additional channels
Collaborate with the corporate partnerships team to support the content needs of existing and new corporate partners and smartly integrate corporate partners into content platforms and content series
Provide creative thinking to help solve business problems for a variety of stakeholders
Actively manage the club’s brand in all design applications and development of alternative logos and creative concepts
Manage internal and external use of logos to ensure brand integrity
Enhance and streamline the production process content management
Create visual identities for both internal and corporate partner events and programs
Assist in reviewing and approving design assets submitted by corporate partners
Provide art direction for photographers, agencies, and vendors
Execute various tasks on matchdays and support club initiatives and special projects as needed, including special events
Assist with real-time creation of graphics and GIFs for coverage of the first team’s matches as needed
Lead a high-performing team by setting clear expectations by providing appropriate coaching and feedback for the development of staff
Lead team in research to identify new digital trends, platforms, influencers, experiences, and fans
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience in brand design, content development, video, or a related field. Experience in sports marketing is a plus.
Demonstrated experience with marketing professional sports and/or college athletics
Demonstrated leadership traits, experience managing and inspiring a team
Positive attitude and desire to be successful while having fun within a professional and team-oriented environment
Excellent time-management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple duties under tight deadlines
Proven ability to interact and brainstorm concepts within a team setting
Great communicator, professional in presentation, and able to work with multiple stakeholders and personalities
Ability to provide art and creative direction, ensuring best-in-class work is delivered on time and within budget
Experienced and well-versed in all facets of the print and video production process, print design, the layout of sales and marketing collateral, web design, layout for email and social media
Proficient in Final Cut Pro and After Effects, as well as Photoshop and InDesign. Proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
Desired experience in photography both in shooting imagery and providing shot list direction
Experience creating motion graphics, specifically in Adobe After Effects or Photoshop
Strong typography skills
Demonstrated ability and hands-on experience with web applications and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and API’s
Understanding of responsive web development, how to create a fluid design across breakpoints
and device limitations
Ability to convert Photoshop/Illustrator designs to HTML/CSS
Solid understanding of practical benefits and limitations of Internet technologies (Flash, JavaScript, CSS, video)
Copywriting experience
Ability to work independently, multitask and change priorities as needed
Understanding of soccer, MLS, and Chicago Fire FC
Portfolio must demonstrate a good eye for composition, creativity, and color usage
Availability and willingness to work flexible/extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as well as matches and events as necessary