This position is responsible for overseeing the areas of Concessions, Corporate Sponsorship, and Merchandise for the Department of Athletics. The Senior Associate Director of Athletics is responsible for the strategy, execution, and evaluation of each initiative. The position collaborates closely with the other External functions, the University’s Trademark/Licensing Office, the Internal function, our Concessions partner, and our Corporate Sponsorship, to effectively achieve their goals. This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of Athletics – External Operations.

• Lead corporate sponsorship for the department including hiring and managing internal sales staff and any third-party consultants/vendors.
• Responsible for the development and management of the corporate sponsorship annual budget.
• Negotiate contracts and serve as primary liaison with the Office of Trademark and Licensing, the OGC, and other University departments for all related contracts.
• Act as the primary representative for Harvard Athletics to local and national businesses and corporations in the sales process.
• Manage the development of new assets for current and prospective clients.
• Manage corporate sponsor relationships at various varsity competitions.
• Responsible for generating $500K in annual revenue.

• Develop a concessions program that delights fans and drives revenue.
• Work with our concessions provider to manage the P&L.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for our concessions partner.
• Use innovative approaches to grow revenue and improve customer service satisfaction.

• Develop a merchandise program, working closely with our equipment staff, which delights Harvard Crimson supporters, drives revenue, and generates donations to the One Crimson Fund.
• Responsible for the development and management of the merchandise annual budget.
• Responsible for the management of the Harvard Athletics online team store.

IV. Staff Management

• Responsible for the hiring and managing internal sales staff and any third-party consultants/vendors.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, sports management or related field required
• 8+ years of progressive corporate sponsorship experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Concessions and/or merchandise experience preferred.
• Strong skills required in strategic planning, project management, and project execution.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to think strategically while also being able to do a variety of implementations tasks is crucial.
• Experience in sports management or academic environment is helpful.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand for extended periods of time. 
• Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Evening and weekend work required.
• Occasional local and out-of-state travel is expected.

Work Format Details: On-site

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

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. Harvard employees have access to a wide range of educational offerings, including world-class museums, tuition assistance, and hundreds of web-based learning programs. Our benefits package is superior and provides multiple options for the health and well-being of our employees. Being located in Cambridge is a distinct advantage since 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, valu...es, and views the differences we all bring to the workplace as strengths. We actively seek and welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups 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.

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