Senior Director of Marketing

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Marketing serves as the operational leader of the Marketing Department, translating brand strategy into exceptional execution. This role partners closely with the Head of Brand to ensure campaigns are delivered with excellence, creative teams operate efficiently, priorities remain aligned, and the department functions as a high-performing organization.

While the Head of Brand defines the vision, positioning, and strategic direction of the brand, the Senior Director of Marketing leads the execution, operational management, and day-to-day leadership required to bring that vision to life.

This role is responsible for creating operational excellence across the marketing function while fostering collaboration, accountability, and creative innovation.

Core Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Operations

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Marketing Department.
• Establish department priorities, operating rhythms, and execution standards.
• Ensure resources are aligned to the highest-impact initiatives.
• Lead weekly marketing meetings and maintain visibility across all active initiatives.
• Identify operational gaps and continuously improve department workflows.

Marketing Execution

• Oversee execution of all integrated marketing campaigns from planning through delivery.
• Ensure campaigns are completed on time, on brand, and at a high standard of quality.
• Monitor campaign progress and proactively remove obstacles to execution.
• Balance competing priorities while maintaining alignment with organizational goals.

Creative Leadership

• Provide leadership for the club's creative team, including graphic design, photography, video, and creative production.
• Ensure all creative work reflects the club's brand standards and storytelling objectives.
• Guide creative planning and production schedules to maximize efficiency.

Digital Marketing Leadership

• Provide leadership and support to the Director of Digital & Social.
• Ensure digital channels support broader marketing campaigns and organizational priorities.
• Foster collaboration between Digital, Creative, Communications, Ticketing, Partnerships, and Community.

Team Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop marketing staff.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability.
• Build an environment focused on collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Executive Partnership

• Serve as the primary operational partner to the Head of Brand.
• Translate strategic direction into actionable marketing priorities.
• Provide recommendations on resource allocation, staffing, and execution strategies.
• Prepare leadership updates on campaign progress, department performance, and operational priorities.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be demonstrated by

• Marketing campaigns consistently delivered on time.
• Improved collaboration across departments.
• Creative work that elevates the club's brand.
• Clear operational discipline and accountability.
• High-performing marketing team with defined priorities.
• Efficient department workflows.
• Strong partnership with Brand, Communications, Business Strategy & Analytics, Partnerships, and Ticketing.

Reports To: Head of Brand

Direct Reports

• Director, Digital & Social
• Creative Team (Art Director, Graphic Design, Video, Photography)
• Marketing Coordinator / Fan Experience (as applicable)

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary marketing teams.
• Demonstrated success managing creative organizations and large-scale campaigns.
• Strong operational and organizational leadership skills.
• Ability to influence across departments and executive stakeholders.
• The selected candidate must be able to successfully pass a background check.

Experience in professional sports, entertainment, consumer brands, or live events preferred.

D.C. United is committed to uplifting our community, staff, and club. We are seeking candidates to be a part of our journey in our quest for continued organizational growth and another MLS Cup.

D.C. United will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

D.C. United is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). D.C. United reaffirms its commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity. D.C. United is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

D.C. United is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all federal, state, and local laws.

Employment decisions can include hiring, termination, compensation, benefits, promotion, training selection, or other statuses or conditions of employment. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skills, knowledge, abilities, job performance, and other appropriate qualifications.