Our client is transforming the youth athletics and athlete development landscape by creating meaningful opportunities for student athletes through innovative events, training experiences, and digital platforms. For nearly two decades, the organization has built a trusted reputation serving athletes and families nationwide through a growing portfolio of experiences, content, and technology solutions. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative culture, and commitment to continuous improvement, the company empowers employees to test new ideas, move quickly, and make a measurable impact. As the organization continues to scale its marketing capabilities and accelerate growth, they are seeking a Director of Marketing & Growth to help lead the next phase of expansion.

Position Overview

This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands on growth marketing leader to join a growing organization at a pivotal stage of its evolution. Reporting directly to the COO, the Director of Marketing & Growth will lead customer acquisition, demand generation, conversion optimization, and lifecycle marketing efforts across a diverse portfolio of products and experiences. This highly visible role offers the opportunity to shape the company’s marketing operating system, build scalable growth strategies, and directly influence business performance. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and an active contributor who enjoys building processes, improving performance, and leading teams. For professionals seeking broad ownership, executive visibility, and the ability to create lasting impact, this role offers significant career growth potential. The role is based in downtown Chicago and is hybrid.

Position Responsibilities

• Drive customer acquisition and enrollment growth through integrated marketing strategies including paid media, email marketing, landing page optimization, and demand generation initiatives.

• Develop and execute testing frameworks that improve campaign performance, conversion rates, and customer engagement across the marketing funnel.

• Establish and manage reporting processes, performance dashboards, and attribution models to provide visibility into marketing effectiveness and business outcomes.

• Partner closely with executive leadership and cross functional stakeholders to align marketing initiatives with company growth objectives.

• Lead lifecycle marketing efforts focused on audience segmentation, customer retention, engagement, and loyalty.

• Support content marketing, social media, search optimization, and thought leadership initiatives that strengthen brand awareness and audience growth.

• Identify, evaluate, and test new marketing channels, partnerships, and audience acquisition opportunities to support long term scalability.

• Manage and mentor a high performing marketing team while coordinating external agencies, freelancers, and strategic partners.

• Drive a culture of accountability by establishing clear goals, performance metrics, and regular campaign review processes.

• Continuously analyze customer behavior, market trends, and competitive activity to uncover opportunities for growth and optimization.

Position Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated track record of driving measurable growth across customer acquisition, conversion optimization, demand generation, and revenue focused marketing initiatives.

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in growth marketing, performance marketing, demand generation, or related disciplines, with increasing levels of responsibility.

• Proven hands on experience managing paid media campaigns, email marketing programs, customer lifecycle initiatives, and digital acquisition strategies.

• Strong experience developing marketing measurement frameworks, KPI reporting processes, attribution models, and testing methodologies.

• Working knowledge of CRM platforms, marketing automation systems, analytics tools such as GA4, and multi channel customer journey management.

• Demonstrated success operating as a player coach who can balance strategic leadership with hands on execution in fast paced, entrepreneurial environments.

• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing marketing team members, agencies, freelancers, or cross functional partners.

Preferred

• Experience supporting consumer focused businesses with high volume customer acquisition needs.

• Background in sports, youth development, events, education, consumer experiences, or similarly mission driven industries.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable business recommendations.

• Ability to thrive in an environment that values accountability, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous improvement.

If you are excited about the opportunity to build, optimize, and scale growth marketing initiatives while helping create meaningful opportunities for athletes and families, we encourage you to apply. A member of Talentfoot’s recruitment team will be in touch should your experience, accomplishments, and qualifications align with our client’s needs.