Director of Esports

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Reporting to the Executive Director, School of Game Development, the Director of Esports leads all collegiate and intramural esports operations, production, programming, partnerships, competitive teams, esports facilities and academic initiatives for the Academy of Art University. This role is responsible for strategic planning, facility operations, student engagement, revenue generation, marketing, sponsorships, and the continued growth of Academy of Art University's esports program.

Essential Responsibilities

Esports Strategy & Operations

• Implement the University's vision and strategic plan for Esports.
• Manage all operations and productions of Academy of Art University's Esports collegiate and intramural events, esports facilities, and any additional related event.
• Design and deliver annual student and community esports programming.
• Manage Esports departmental budget, including revenue, expenses and oversee process distribution of student scholarships.
• Develop new revenue opportunities through sponsorships, content monetization, event licensing, and partnerships.
• Ensure efficient departmental operations and cross-functional collaboration.

Leadership & Personnel

• Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate esports staff and work study students.
• Assign work, manage performance, and address employee relations issues.
• Coordinate departmental initiatives with faculty and university leadership.

Marketing, Partnerships & Community

• Lead esports marketing initiatives and brand development.
• Develop relationships with sponsors, publishers, collegiate conferences, and industry partners.
• Identify new collaboration opportunities with esports organizations.
• Serve as the university's subject matter expert on the esports industry.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Legal, Admissions, and other departments on partnership initiatives.
• Attend industry conferences or showcasing events and represent Academy of Art University at recruiting events and traveling shows.
• Oversee esports-related social media, streaming, community engagement, and online content.

Competitive Esports Program

• Liaise with collegiate esports conferences and governing organizations.
• Oversee player recruitment.
• Address and manage performance of players and inter-team relation issues.
• Coordinate team practices, competition schedules, and coaching support.
• Promote student-athlete success and competitive excellence.

Academic Leadership

• Collaborate with faculty to develop and maintain the Esports academic track.
• Support curriculum development and experiential learning opportunities.
• Maintain record of player academics and scholarship distribution.

Student Advising

• Advise and mentor students.
• Maintain office hours and assess student learning.
• Participate in workshops, portfolio reviews, and other instructional activities.
• Remain current in esports community and higher education best practices.

Qualifications:

• Communication or Public Relations degree is preferred

• Being comfortable on camera and have experience creating promotional videos

• Experience advising, coaching, mentoring and teaching students

• Experience with ESports curriculum development

• Understanding of collegiate ESports governing operations

• Must have successfully managed operations and productions of an Esports collegiate event

• Software knowledge of Blackmagic Design (Audio/Visual) integration, live streaming, and broadcast is required

• Black Design and DaVinci Resolve software as well as professional video editing, color correction, visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, and audio production are needed

• Thorough knowledge of Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier are required

• Strong communication, presentation, organizational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to lead through change, support organizational growth initiative and foster a positive work environment

• NACE membership is preferred

• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, desire to work in a fast pace, changing environment

Benefits

Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester. 

Compensation:$80,000.00 - $120,000.00 annually

Application Deadline: August 10, 2026

Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at recruitment@academyart.edu.