The Deputy Director of Athletics for External Operations reports directly to the Director of Athletics and will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for broad supervision of the department's external units: athletic communications, creative content and multimedia productions, marketing and promotions, tickets, and corporate sponsorship. This position will develop and execute strategies to ensure collaboration and alignment amongst these areas to unify and strengthen the Harvard Athletics' identity, presence, and message.

Position Description:

A member of the leadership team, the Deputy Director of Athletics will establish a strategic plan to develop and implement revenue goals and maximize revenue potential, enhance the Harvard Athletics identity, and increase opportunities for engagement among the many external constituencies. Supervision of a select portfolio of varsity programs will be expected.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Day-to-day management of all activities associated with the department’s external operations. Actively provide strategic direction and leadership to these functions and ensures efforts are collaborative and the work is unified amongst the units. This includes overseeing and directing:

• Athletic Communications – GoCrimson, Hall of History, reporting and record-keeping of statistics, competitions, and team performance
• Creative Content – Video/images for website and social media channels content
• Media and public relations – Coordinating with HPAC in responding to media inquiries, and proactive communications on Harvard Athletics - student-athletes, coaches, alums, etc.
• Multimedia – ESPN relationship, game day recording, and broadcasting, promotional media to support recruiting efforts
• Marketing and promotion efforts to maximize attendance and enhance fan engagement
• Ticket operations and sales
• Business development – maximizing revenue opportunities to be gained from hosting events and renting athletics facilities
• Securing corporate sponsorship

• Manages, mentors, and evaluates coaches of intercollegiate sports. Management includes strategic planning, administrative and budget oversight, performance management, and coach, student-athlete, and team support. Frequently attends practices and competitions (some travel). Helps to support the recruitment of student-athletes for assigned sports. Leads respective head coach searches and assists with recruiting assistant coaches when vacancies exist.

3. Be creative in strategies to maximize revenue potential, enhance the Harvard Athletics identity, and increase opportunity for engagement. Revenue targets to be determined annually with the Director of Athletics.

4. Serve as the department liaison and primary contact to various external clients/partners; maintain contract oversight. Serve as a department liaison to applicable campus partners, including HPAC, marketing, licensing, trademark, etc.

5. Serve as a member of the Athletic Department’s leadership team.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree;

• Minimum 10+ years of previous experience in external operations in college and/or professional sports. Other relevant non-athletics industry experience will also be considered.

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

• Master's degree preferred
• Proven experience and success in finding innovative and creative opportunities to engage multiple constituencies
• Organized, detail-oriented, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision necessary.
• Proactive thinking with interest in developing and executing new ideas is necessary.
• A demonstrated commitment to a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion & belonging that supports the university's commitment to EDIB priorities and demonstrates personal dedication through words and actions.

Working Conditions: 

• Ability to work a non-standard work week including nights, weekends & holidays is necessary.

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety, and well-being of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other healthcare individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website. 

Additional Information :

Harvard is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission is to educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. The College is a residential institution of nearly 7,000 undergraduates and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is deeply committed to the intellectual, social, and personal transformation of its undergraduates during their four years at Harvard.

The Department of Athletics offers 42 varsity programs for men and women, more than any other Division I school in the United States. We also offer extensive recreational and intramural programs.

Harvard employees have access to a competitive benefits package that includes multiple options for the health and well-being of our employees as well as ongoing professional development.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources. We regret that, due to the number of responses we typically receive, we may be unable to respond to phone calls or contact personally those applicants not selected for an interview.

We actively seek and welcome applications from diverse candidates and from those with a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

About Harvard University

Harvard is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission is to educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. The College is a residential institution of nearly 7,000 undergraduates and is located in Cambridge, MA. Harvard is deeply committed to the intellectual, social and personal transformation of its undergraduates during their four years at Harvard. The Department of Athletics offers 42 varsity programs for men and women, more than any other Division I school in the United States. Cambridge is a lively, multi-cultural city adjacent to Boston, which is an undisputed hub of college and university life in the U.S. We believe that creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace allows employees from all backgrounds and walks of life to achieve their fullest potential. We also believe an inclusive culture is one that accepts, values and views the differences we all bring to the workplace as strength. We actively seek and welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups and from those with a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society.

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