VP, Content and Digital Strategy

Team Member Headquarters-Lincoln Union

Phoenix, AZ

Job Summary:

Player 15 Group is the sports, entertainment and real estate operating and investment company that owns and operates the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Valley Suns (G League) as well as operations of the downtown Phoenix arena.

Player 15 Group is looking for individuals who are committed to pursuing excellence and creating memorable experiences.

Player 15 Group is seeking an experienced and highly motivated VP of Content and Digital Strategy to play a pivotal role in driving the marketing strategy for the Player 15 Group properties.

This role reports to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all content and digital marketing for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, the Valley Suns and Footprint Center, including content creation and distribution, creative services, digital/social, community engagement and marketing technology.

What You Will Do:

The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of both the creative and analytical side of traditional and digital marketing strategies in order to drive awareness, consideration, and conversion for all Player 15 Group properties.

Content Strategy:

• Lead the video and social content teams and is passionate about brand campaigns, brand content strategy, social content and live content. Focus on content strategy and production to boost fan growth, fan development, fan engagement, and audience monetization strategies.
• Ensure marketing content aligns with our brands identity and message for each content distribution channel including tone, creative input and cadence.
• Focus on optimization and platform-exclusive content creation across mediums to support business objectives.
• Deliver 360-degree marketing campaigns for our owned platforms to increase traffic and engagement.
• Identify emerging social media trends and platforms, as well as data analytics that enable the organization to continuously evolve, increase followers, increase engagement and impressions.
• Continuous evolution of the Player 15 Group properties go-to-market strategy, focusing on a social-first, mobile first approach.

Creative Services:

• Lead a creative team that is responsible for the conceptual and creative processes and the production of all design material for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Valley Suns & Footprint Center Arena including sales collateral, advertising (digital and traditional) & all building signage and branding.

Digital Fan Engagement:

• Lead the digital strategy team focused on developing and driving campaigns to increase mobile app users, website traffic, first-party data acquisition, and ecommerce conversions to enhance fan engagement, revenue, brand affinity, and loyalty with an expansion into DTC and digital membership.
• Demonstrate return on investment, by leading the data and analytics management and reporting process across all digital platforms and use these tools to inform decision making and transform online engagement into real world value.
• Work cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, Brand Communications, Broadcast and Creative teams, as well as the revenue-driving Partnerships and Ticketing groups, to develop and test new platforms and products. Keep a finger on the pulse of current trends and best digital practices.
• Curates authentic and engaging ways for fans to engage with partners and their initiatives.
• Evolve our mobile applications to add value for fans and promote engagement with our brand and our partners, including in-arena, as a complement to broadcast, games and gaming, ticketing, concessions, and more.

Digital Fan Journeys:

• Lead the lifecycle team to support season ticket member engagement & retention, single game ticket target acquisition.
• Grow and optimize the marketing database to promote our brand campaigns and drive sales conversion. Leverage first party data to directly communicate through email, text message, and mobile app messaging, using learned habits, behaviors, and preferences to increase campaign efficiency.
• Be a subject matter authority in consumer data and partner with our Business Intelligence team to deepen audience segmentation to improve personalization and revenue conversion.
• Also, in partnership with the Business Intelligence team ensure integration with CRM platform and coordination and alignment with priority sales initiatives
• Ability to monitor key performance metrics and make real-time decisions based on findings with a focus on enhancing lead generation.

Digital Development:

• Lead a team of digital developers who focus on UI/UX, front-end design, work around back-end infrastructure (cloud hosting, code frameworks, APIs, etc.) and SaaS platform integrations (Vimeo, Zesty, Segment, Airship, etc.).
• Have an understanding of the marketing technology environment and work with technology teams at the NBA/WNBA and internal IT leads.

What We Need From Our VP, of Content and Digital Strategy:

• Team Leadership - Inspire creative teams, including designers, writers, web developers, and other digital marketing professionals.
• Digital Expertise - Profound knowledge of digital marketing, user experience (UX) design, and emerging digital technologies.
• Social Media Prowess - Have a deep understanding of all social channels, established and emerging, and audience growth tactics with experience with creative, and relatable storytelling through social media. Use this knowledge to identify new brand opportunities nationally and globally.
• Analysis & Insight – A strong reliance on data analysis to measure performance against set critical metrics annually. These insights will lead to recommendations for optimization across all platforms.
• Strong Communicator – Requires the ability to have influence and impact within a matrix organization across departments.
• Values - build trust and credibility within a matrixed team including with partners from product development, commercial, and other internal and external partners.
• Topical Knowledge – Have a passion for basketball. Knowing the NBA and its athletes will be key to developing Brand strategy and growth across social channels while crafting engagements relevant to our consumers.

Experience/Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree and at least 10 years of relevant work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading and developing creative and successful marketing teams with measurable results.
• Proven track record of engaging fans through social and digital channels

What You Can Expect:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by the VP of Content and Digital Strategy to optimally perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to transit throughout the arena for long periods of time.
• This position works mainly indoors, removed from extreme weather; exposure to weather is <5%
• S-Sedentary Work – Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
• Must be able to carry on a conversation both on the phone and in-person.
• Ability to Read, Write & Speak in English
• Wide range of full-time benefit options including
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverages
• Life and Disability options
• Vacation, sick and holiday leave programs
• In-arena work requirements with the potential of hybrid schedules based on each role and department.
• Perks:
• Discounts at Fanatics Team Shop
• Tickets available for Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury games
• Visit our Culture page to learn more about our culture and work environment

Player 15 Group is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

Please note this job description is not crafted to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact the People & Culture Recruiting team at recruiting@suns.com