Director of Marketing

The Seneca Nation, through its business subsidiary, Seneca Holdings, is now the proud owner of the Rochester Knighthawks, ensuring the franchise’s future in a city where the roots of lacrosse run deep.  

At Seneca Holdings, we believe that a great workplace starts with a strong sense of purpose and community. As a company wholly owned by the Seneca Nation, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, our culture is built on the values of quality, integrity, teamwork, professionalism, and connection.  Every business we build plays a role in ensuring long-term economic self-sufficiency for members of the Seneca Nation. What sets us apart is we’re guided by the Seneca Nation’s Seventh Generation Principle, based on the philosophy that all decisions should be made with purpose, ensuring a positive impact on the future seven generations.

The Rochester Knighthawks are seeking a Director of Marketing in Rochester, NY.

The Director of Marketing will be responsible for overseeing the management and execution of the Rochester Knighthawks marketing and digital media needs.  The Director will help develop marketing and digital strategies that aid in driving business growth and establishing a strong brand identity in the community. This position will work in lockstep with all departments of the organization to develop and execute marketing campaigns that support all facets of the business, ultimately acquiring fans and driving ticket sales, sponsorship, and ancillary revenue.  The ideal candidate is a strategic individual who can collaborate and lead across departments, as well as facilitate the use of data and technology to grow a robust and diverse fan database. This position reports to the Senior Director of Operations & Communications.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct and manage marketing and digital media team, by providing mentorship, guidance, and training to aid in the development of the marketing staff by providing information, educational opportunities, and experiential growth opportunities.
• Provide leadership and overall marketing strategy to oversee, develop, and employ various marketing initiatives, campaigns, and branding efforts to achieve short and long-term goals for the Rochester Knighthawks.
• Develop and oversee marketing and advertising plans for the regular season and post-season, team events, ticket and community campaigns, implementing traditional and non-traditional media including managing and overseeing budgets, media buying, negotiations and promotions.
• Lead multi-channel marketing strategies (i.e., email, text, website, social, digital platforms, multi-media) to achieve business and ticket revenue goals and fulfill corporate partnership campaigns.
• Assist with website development and functionality from a marketing perspective.
• Oversee the marketing and digital media department including progress and performance to ensure assigned work is completed correctly, efficiently and on deadline and follow up on work results.
• Lead cross-departmentally and direct grass-roots marketing efforts and events in collaboration with others in a manner that creates strategic measures to enhance the goals of all departments.
• Partner with other departments to ensure consistent messaging, planning and communication.
• Work in collaboration with corporate partnership department to integrate partner brands, support activations and coordinate digital sponsor elements as part of global marketing strategy.
• Monitor web and mobile app platforms to ensure sponsorship requirements are applied properly.
• Manage execution of NLL marketing initiatives at club level.
• Oversee development of creative assets for all digital and media platforms.
• Maintain an all-inclusive email marketing production and editorial calendar.
• Optimize email campaigns, including key aspects such as offers, lists, messaging, and dynamic content; Generate creative and compelling subject lines to increase response rates.
• Ensure digital updates and email campaign elements are approved and delivered in acceptable timeframes.
• Assist with on-site and off-site community events.
• Conduct on-going research of other professional sports leagues/teams’ ticket and marketing, partner promotions and general marketing activity.
• Frequently check digital assets for errors; grammatical mistakes, broken links, and technical problems; perform detailed feature and functionality audits across all digital platforms.
• Monitor performance and continuously seek and test new ways to drive effectiveness and improved marketing outcomes.
  • Communicate results and their importance to leadership
• Maintain the upmost confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned by Senior Director of Operations & Communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with preferred areas of study including marketing, business, or sports management
• 5+ years’ experience in marketing, corporate sponsorship, media, or advertising
• Skilled in Microsoft Office suite
• Proficient in Social Media platforms such as, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Working knowledge of Photoshop and HTML
• Knowledge of media buying, negotiating, and documenting agreements
• Proven ability to coach, lead and develop a team
• Additional skills in graphic design, photography, copywriting, and sports industry are a plus
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Ability to thrive in highly visible, high-pressure environment
• Strong attention to detail, grammar, and proofreading skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to create and foster relationships
• Must be dependable, willing to take initiative and adapt to a variety of situations
• Possess strong time management, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Passionate about customer service
• Ability to work independently and in a group setting
• Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks simultaneously
• Have a critical eye and creative scope

Benefits:

Our team of talented individuals is what makes us successful. To support our team, we provide a balanced mix of benefits and programs. Your total rewards package includes competitive pay, benefits, and perks, flexible work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and performance and recognition programs. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability, voluntary benefit programs (critical illness, hospital, and accident), health savings and flexible spending accounts, and retirement 401K plan. One of our fundamental principles is to offer competitive health and welfare benefits to our team members, providing coverage and care for you and your family. Full-time employees working at least 30 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefits and paid leave programs.  We pride ourselves on our collaborative work environment and culture, which embraces our mission of providing financial and non-financial benefits back to the members of the Seneca Nation.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Seneca Holdings provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetic information and/or predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, veteran status, or other protected class status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. The Company also prohibits retaliation against any employee who exercises his or her rights under applicable anti-discrimination laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does give hiring preference to Seneca or Native individuals. Veterans with expertise in these areas are highly encouraged to apply.