Senior Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs

Job no: 562888 Work type: Management (MPP)

Location: Sacramento

Position Summary: The Senior Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs serves as a senior leader within the Athletics Department and is responsible for the strategic leadership, integration, and performance of all external operations, including ticket sales and service, marketing and branding, corporate partnerships, fan engagement, and athletics advancement collaboration. The position provides executive oversight of multiple revenue-generating units and establishes a unified external affairs strategy designed to increase revenue, expand audience engagement, and elevate the visibility and reputation of Sacramento State Athletics. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, the incumbent leads through subordinate managers to set direction, establish performance expectations, and ensure accountability across all external units. This role is responsible for aligning ticketing, marketing, donor engagement, and partnership efforts into a cohesive model that drives attendance, strengthens the fan and donor experience, and supports long-term financial sustainability. The position operates in a highly visible NCAA Division I environment and serves as a key representative of the Athletics Department with campus leadership, corporate partners, donors, alumni, and the broader community. The incumbent ensures that all external strategies and initiatives align with institutional priorities, brand standards, and NCAA and conference regulations while supporting the overall mission and competitive success of Sacramento State Athletics. Sacramento State Athletics is seeking an innovative, relationship-driven, and results-oriented leader to serve as Senior Associate Athletic Director of External Affairs. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, this position will provide strategic leadership for ticketing, marketing, branding, fan engagement, corporate partnerships, donor engagement, advancement collaboration, and NIL initiatives. The successful candidate will lead through subordinate managers, develop integrated strategies to grow revenue and engagement, elevate the Hornet brand, strengthen campus and community partnerships, and support the long-term success of Sacramento State Athletics.

FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)

Work Hours: Monday through Friday with the frequent need to work evenings and weekends to meet operational needs.

Department Information: The program of Intercollegiate Athletics is organized and conducted as an integral part of the total educational program of the University. Academic excellence and athletic accomplishments go hand in hand at Sacramento State. There are three separate and unique missions in this program: to contribute to the educational objectives of the University; to provide a healthy, competitive athletic experience to individual student-athletes; to serve as a public relations vehicle within the community. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers both academic courses and an intercollegiate athletics program. Academic courses offer the opportunity for individuals to gain knowledge and understanding in a particular area of expertise related to intercollegiate athletics. Sacramento State has made a strong commitment to the achievement of national excellence at the NCAA Division I level.