Senior Project Manager – Marketing & Fan Engagement

Summary

The Senior Project Manager will lead the planning, execution, and governance of strategic fan engagement marketing initiatives for a leading global sports organization. Working across integrated marketing, CRM, digital, creative, analytics, and technology teams, this individual will oversee the delivery of end-to-end fan lifecycle programs designed to acquire, engage, retain, and monetize fans across digital and in-person touchpoints.

This role will be responsible for project managing complex, cross-functional marketing programs—from campaign planning and creative production to CRM activation, fan journey execution, and performance optimization. The Senior Project Manager will serve as the central point of coordination across client stakeholders, agency partners, and delivery teams, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with the organization's fan engagement strategy, brand standards, and business objectives.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in marketing program management, a deep understanding of omnichannel campaign execution and customer journey orchestration, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment where multiple campaigns and priorities run simultaneously.

Responsibilities

1. Project Planning and Execution

• Extensive ownership and technical management of project management tool experience.
• Develop project plans, defining scope, goals, deliverables, resources, and timelines.
• Develop and lead a project planning process and tools to be used cross-functionally and within our teams from discovery and intake through execution.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify project requirements and ensure alignment with marketing objectives.
• Create and maintain project schedules, tracking progress and proactively addressing potential risks and issues.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, facilitating effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Guide decision-making processes with business partners to achieve project objectives.
• Manage team capacity by understanding the current state of the project pipeline and making data-driven trade-offs.
• Drive process improvements and efficiency to achieve operational goals.
• Anticipate and advise on project risks and lead the development and implementation of mitigation strategies.
• Promote understanding across partners around project status, spend, priorities, and resource allocation.
• Iterate and scale systems and projects to meet the League's global needs.

2. Campaign Development and Execution

• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to develop innovative marketing campaigns that engage fans, drive attendance, and enhance brand awareness.
• Oversee the execution of marketing campaigns, ensuring adherence to timelines, brand guidelines, and legal requirements.
• Monitor campaign performance and analyze key metrics to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage omnichannel campaign execution and customer journey orchestration across digital and in-person touchpoints.
• Oversee CRM activation, fan journey execution, and performance optimization initiatives.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including marketing, communications, events, and sponsorship teams.
• Effectively communicate project updates, plans, and issues to diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborate with external partners, sponsors, and vendors to ensure seamless integration and delivery of marketing initiatives.
• Provide regular project updates to stakeholders, highlighting progress, challenges, and key outcomes.
• Support development of presentation and update materials to be shared cross-functionally and with leadership.

4. Budget and Resource Management

• Manage project budgets, track expenditures, and ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Allocate and optimize resources to maximize efficiency and meet project goals.
• Liaise with procurement teams to source vendors and negotiate contracts for marketing services and materials.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Conduct post-project evaluations to identify lessons learned and implement improvements for future projects.
• Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in sports marketing to drive innovation and enhance project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience (8 - 12 years) in project management, preferably in a marketing or tech-related environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Workfront or similar project management tools/software.
• Strong understanding of marketing principles, campaign development, and brand management.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve problems, and make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of project-specific technologies and tools depending on the industry.
• Passion for sports and a deep understanding of the global sports industry.

Relevant Certifications & Skills

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Hands-on experience with practices such as Agile, Lean, Kanban, and Waterfall, as well as extensive experience with pragmatic blending of styles to facilitate collaboration and delivery.
• Ability to understand architectural and technical aspects of projects.