The Indiana Fever Associate Director of Player Engagement serves as the primary contact for all player-related requests (excluding media). This position designs and implements programs to support and develop Fever players and maximize their positive impact. This role ensures the work of the Fever players are integrated into and aligned with the business side of the franchise. This position serves as a liaison and key communicator with departments in the organization to leverage and enhance the players’ and team’s impact with internal and external stakeholders. This role works frequently with the community engagement team on programs and appearances and the corporate partnership team alongside our key business and community partners, as well as other departments and groups both within and outside the company. This individual works with the Fever players on the discovery and development of their individual community passions and marketing plans and creates win-win opportunities whenever possible to help the players achieve their individual goals while assisting the franchise in reaching their goals and objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the primary contact for all player-related requests and manage all player engagement activity (excluding media) for the Indiana Fever.
- Develop, direct and implement any player engagement activities or programs for the Indiana Fever.
- Serve as a key liaison and communicator within PS&E and with any external stakeholders engaging with or who wish to engage with the Fever players.
- Oversee and schedule the off-season team marketing agreements and follow the guidelines set forth by the WNBA and collective bargaining agreement.
- Work with the business side of the organization to:
- Determine and plan all player appearances for the season, including team mandatories, based upon player interests and strengths, while balancing the needs of the community and PS&E, and following the guidelines of the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Develop individual player marketing plans for each player, including social media publication and promotions.
- Schedule and plan for corporate interactions/meetings involving players and coaches.
- Function as an advocate for both the players and the franchise when communicating with players and coaching staff.
- Develop clear, organized and consistent communications with the following groups/individuals as it relates to player appearances, needs and resources:
- Fever head coach, president, general manager, assistant general manager, director of public relations, and digital team to ensure player and team schedules, appearances and meetings are coordinated.
- Player agents, including serving as a resource for agents on all aspects of player engagement.
- PS&E departments assisting with and/or impacting player needs and resources.
- Team security to ensure player relations initiatives and programs are executed safely and effectively.
- WNBA player relations staff.
- Serve as a liaison and resource between the players and their loved ones as follows:
- Assist with any resources or information to ensure they have a smooth and positive transition to/from the team.
- Work with the players to answer questions about the city, state, and organization, connect them with resources/people, and to support them and their loved ones throughout their time as a Fever Basketball team member.
- Integrate players into the franchise, and work with players to achieve their individual goals and goals of the franchise.
- Serve as a resource for information and questions regarding financial development and general readiness for post-playing career, mental health services, and other off-the-court needs.
- Engage Fever alumni in appearances as requested.
- Oversee the administration of the following player engagement responsibilities:
- Maintain and update the Fever team guidebook.
- Implement pre-season player survey, including corporate sponsor ties.
- Assignment of player contacts within player engagement.
- Maintain and update the player engagement appearance calendars (in-season and off-season).
- Request and coordinate team photographer, digital team, broadcast team, etc. for all appearances as required.
- Track and maintain player engagement budget, including payment of all TMA appearances.
- Coordinate and distribute player home game tickets and family room passes
- Work with appropriate personnel to ensure the smooth operation of Fever family room (pregame and postgame), including coordination of food and beverage at all Fever home games.
- Coordinate details and manage the relationship with external childcare service for all Fever home games.
- Maintain alumni database and connections.
- Coordinate with Levy as needed for other meetings/events as directed.
- Manage collateral materials (including making sure player photos are stocked, sharpies, etc.) to maintain the appropriate levels of inventory.
- Maintain updated photos for Fever Friends & Family wall.
- Coordinate Fever player engagement representation at all Fever practices and shootarounds
- Coordinate travel to road games, including WNBA All-Star Game, as required.
- Oversee implantation of monthly Fever team autograph sessions and Fever player engagement lunches.
- General office duties as required.
- Assist in the execution and in some cases assist in the planning of community engagement department programs, projects and initiatives as requested.
- Provide support to the community engagement and/or player engagement department during game or event nights (Pacers and Fever).
- Maintain confidentiality within the department and the company when dealing with information that is highly sensitive, and in some cases personal, and proprietary.
- Coordinate with team security as needed.
- Must be able to work a varied and flexible schedule including events and games on evenings and weekends.
- Some travel required including potential travel with team during the Fever season.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university or equivalent experience. Experience in professional sports, specifically the WNBA, is highly desirable. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required. Strong computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office also required. Must maintain confidentiality and use discretion in dealing with highly sensitive information.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret instructions and reports. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from manager, clients, customers, and the general public.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret directions and technical diagrams. Ability to interpret directions.
PROBLEM SOLVING REQUIREMENTS:
Employee must make independent decisions regarding budget expenditures and allocations, and programming and partners. Employee must exercise discretion when handling confidential information.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak in public, use a telephone, use a computer, speak, hear, and write.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate.
- The noise level in the Fieldhouse/game environment is usually loud.
- The stress level may become high during certain times.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
