COMPANY BACKGROUND
The Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting soccer participation and growth in Houston, TX and beyond. The Club’s brands include men's and women's professional teams - the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL), a development academy, Houston Dynamo Dash Charities, as well as Shell Energy Stadium and Houston Sports Park.
The Club has a rich history, including MLS Cup titles (2006, 2007) and in-season tournament championships for both the Dynamo (2018) and Dash (2020) and is focused on building toward the next championships, inspiring and uniting the city of Houston through the sport of soccer and community outreach, and creating the most inclusive sporting experience and diverse fan base in the city and state.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Vice President of Marketing is responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution, and performance of all marketing initiatives for Houston Dynamo FC. This executive leader will drive fan acquisition, engagement, retention, brand growth, revenue generation, and market presence across all consumer touchpoints. The VP of Marketing will oversee integrated marketing campaigns, digital marketing, brand strategy, content promotion, consumer insights, CRM, and fan development initiatives to support ticket sales, partnerships, merchandise, and overall business objectives.
As a member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President will collaborate cross-functionally to develop innovative marketing strategies that strengthen the club's connection with fans, partners, and the broader Houston community while advancing company goals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies supporting Houston Dynamo FC.
- Establish annual marketing plans, budgets, KPIs, and performance objectives aligned with organizational priorities.
- Lead long-term brand positioning and growth strategies to expand fan engagement and market share.
- Identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities to enhance the club's marketing effectiveness.
- Drive ticket sales, memberships, premium seating, group sales, and event attendance through targeted marketing campaigns.
- Partner with Ticket Sales, Partnerships, and Community Relations to develop revenue-generating initiatives.
- Utilize consumer insights and market research to identify audience growth opportunities.
- Oversee brand management and ensure consistency across all platforms and audience touchpoints.
- Lead integrated campaigns supporting club objectives, key matches, special events, and community initiatives.
- Collaborate with Creative, Content, Communications, and Matchday Experience teams to maximize campaign effectiveness.
- Develop compelling storytelling strategies that strengthen fan affinity and engagement.
- Oversees merchandise and licensing strategy, partner relations and program executions, ensuring offerings accurately reflect brand identities and voice, inspire and serve target audiences and deliver against revenue targets.
- Direct digital marketing strategy including email marketing, paid media, social media promotion, website optimization, and mobile engagement.
- Lead CRM initiatives focused on fan segmentation, personalization, database growth, and lifecycle marketing.
- Drive marketing automation and customer journey optimization to improve conversion and retention rates.
- Establish a data-driven marketing culture focused on measurable outcomes.
- Conduct fan research, surveys, and competitive analyses to guide strategic decisions.
- Leverage business intelligence tools to enhance decision-making and marketing effectiveness.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing marketing team.
- Establish departmental goals and performance standards.
- Develop and manage the department's annual operating budget.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university, ideally in marketing or other business focused field.
- 6 + years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, communications, sports, entertainment, consumer brands, or related industries.
- Minimum 3 years leading high-performing teams and managing multiple functional disciplines.
- Professional sports experience is strongly preferred, including experience with women's sports organizations.
- Experience optimizing marketing channels, both traditional and digital.
- Proven success leading and managing media planning, website management, email marketing and/or advertising campaigns. - Required
- Highly data driven, with experience in reporting on key success metrics, analyzing trends, and making data-driven recommendations.
- Excellent communication (written, verbal and visual) skills.
- Must be available/able to work evenings and/or weekends. - Required
- Prior experience in sports industry, preferably at a major professional team.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES
- Demonstrated ability to deliver results through collaboration and build consensus among stakeholders throughout the organization.
- Adaptability and ability to see the audience perspective; understanding of diverse and multi-cultural audiences preferred.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize with urgency within a fast-paced environment with often competing priorities.
- Ability to communicate and work with all levels of employees and partners, both internally and externally, demonstrating expertise and professionalism.
- Strong interpersonal skills flexibility in a dynamic team environment.
- Ability to coordinate efforts across departments and execute successful results.
- Maintains Organizational Core Competencies.
ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES
- Accountable – Holds themselves (and when appropriate others) accountable for achievinG goals and objectives.
- Collaborative – Works collaboratively with others to achieve organizational outcomes.
- Progressive – Open minded, accepting, creative, and innovative in approach.
- Values Driven – Being ethical in decision making and operating with professional integrity.
- Agile – Achieves personal and organizational success within a changing, dynamic, and complex environment. Ability to handle ambiguity.
OTHER INFORMATION
Diverse candidates of all backgrounds are welcome, and the Club seeks individuals passionate about sport, inspiring the city and devoted to the organization's growth. While duties and responsibilities vary across positions, we are seeking individuals who are accountable, collaborative, progressive, agile and ethical/values driven.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.