Senior Associate Commissioner of External Affairs

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Sports Management or a related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in marketing, branding, broadcasting, or a related field.

• Proven track record of successful leadership and effective management of a marketing team(s).

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies:

• Extremely organized, self-starter, intrinsically motivated.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.

• Strong ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written channels.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Conference staff, administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and external partners.

• Strong problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive information with discretion.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines.

• Demonstrated success in leading and managing teams, with responsibility for hiring, training, day-to-day supervision, and performance evaluation, while fostering a collaborative, results-oriented culture aligned with organizational goals.

• Proven ability to develop and execute external strategies that balance institutional priorities with conference-wide goals.

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing and branding strategies.

• Experience managing corporate partnerships and generating revenue through sponsorships and licensing.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with media partners, corporate sponsors, and other stakeholders.

• Knowledge of current trends in college athletics, including digital engagement, NIL, and broadcast innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution:

• Collaborate with the Commissioner and Conference leadership to align external affairs initiatives with the MAAC’s strategic plan.

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance the Conference’s branding and exposure.

• Expand relationships with multimedia entities to yield greater exposure for all MAAC sports, with an emphasis on men’s and women’s basketball.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive NIL strategy that supports member institutions through education, best practices, strategic partnerships, and conference-wide initiatives that enhance student-athlete opportunities.

• Support member institutions in delivering best-in-class fan and student experiences at MAAC events.

• Design and execute annual professional development programs for institutional marketing, communications, and external affairs staff.

Marketing & Branding:

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Conference’s Technology & Digital Marketing Committee, marketing administrators and video production contacts.

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing and branding strategies that elevate the Conference’s visibility, drive engagement, and align with its strategic goals.

• Develop and manage promotional campaigns to increase the visibility and appeal of the Conference and its member institutions.

• Oversee all aspects of marketing, branding and game presentation for Conference championships.

• Ensure consistent and effective branding across all conference marketing, communications and events.

• Oversee the Conference’s branding guide.

Broadcasting & Media Relations:

• Oversee all aspects of the Conference’s broadcasting agreements and productions.

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Conference’s media rights partners, including ESPN.

• Oversee the production and distribution of Conference broadcasts, ensuring high-quality content and compliance with contractual obligations.

• Explore emerging technologies and platforms to enhance the reach and quality of MAAC broadcasts.

• Promote the success stories of MAAC student-athletes through proactive storytelling in local, regional and national media.

• Oversee media relations efforts to maximize positive coverage and exposure for the Conference and its member institutions.

Revenue Generation:

• Identify and cultivate revenue-generating opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, partnerships, and licensing agreements.

• Manage the Conference’s relationship with Van Wagner, ensuring successful execution of corporate partnerships and identifying new opportunities for revenue growth.

• Oversee the conference’s merchandising and licensing programs.

Leadership & Management:

• Lead and mentor a team of marketing and communications professionals.

• Foster a collaborative, creative and innovative work environment, promoting professional development and growth within the team.

• Facilitate regular collaboration among marketing administrators, digital contacts, and committee representatives to align institutional and conference-wide efforts.

• Provide regular updates, reports and analytics to the Commissioner and the Technology & Digital Marketing Committee on external affairs activities and progress.

• Assist with Conference and NCAA championship administration.

• Perform other duties, including Commissioner delegated projects and championship support, as assigned.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports directly to the Commissioner.

• Supervises the Associate Commissioner for External Affairs, the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Director of Digital Content and Engagement.

Salary:

• Commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical insurance for employee.

• Comprehensive dental and vision insurance for employee.

• 403(b) retirement plan with an 8% contribution from the Conference.

• Accrual of 20 days annual vacation time, in addition to five wellness days each year.

• 22 paid holidays in the 2025-26 academic year.

• Half-day Fridays in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

• Monthly cell phone reimbursement.

Working Conditions:

• This position is based at the Conference Office.

• This position requires the ability to travel and work non-traditional hours, weekends, nights and holidays.

Application Process:

• A letter of application, resume and a list of at least three professional references should be sent via email to employment@maac.org.

• Please list the job title and candidates’ name in the subject line of the email.

• The MAAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC):

• Headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, the Conference office is conveniently located just 30 miles from New York City, 25 miles from the Jersey Shore, and 15 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport.

• With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the MAAC is in its 44th year of competition during the 2024-25 academic year.

• Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.

This job description outlines the essential duties and responsibilities of the Senior Associate Commissioner of External Affairs and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The Conference Office reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.