United States Golf Association (USGA) Jobs

Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation

at United States Golf Association

Liberty Corner, NJ

The USGA is a leader in the global golf industry, whose purpose is to unify the game through programs like the World Handicap System, to showcase the best talent in the game through championships, to govern the game to promote fairness for all who play, and to advance the game and golf courses through innovation and science and programs that grow participation.

Are you looking to join a dynamic team that works together to promote and conserve the true spirit of the game of golf?

Our Director of Digital Media and Innovation will work with the Managing Director, Digital Media and Ticketing to create and execute the digital strategy for the USGA, as well as lead new business, e-Sports/gaming and product innovation. In your day to day, you will oversee relationships with digital vendors (e.g. Deloitte Digital, Brightcove, WSC) and manage an internal team leading the design and development of fan-facing products including: the USGA mobile app, OnDemand products, usopen.com, uswomensopen.com and the organizations enterprise website, usga.org. Work with corporate partners to ensure assets are optimized across channels, while continually offering incremental opportunities.

This position will also oversee the USGA’s eSports and gaming relationships with EA Sports and TopGolf/WGT; work across marketing and partnerships teams on brand/partner integration, promotional strategy, and advertising budget. You will drive research, conduct financial and strategic analyses to support the growth of the business, while also leading discovery and implementation of emerging media/innovation initiatives and new business opportunities; focus areas include mobile, AR/VR, streaming enhancements, NFT’s and the betting space.

Lastly, it will be critical for the Director of Digital Media and Innovation to build and maintain a deep professional network with sports/golf industry peers and other key stakeholders in the digital space.

What you can expect:

Digital Fan Experience

• Oversee the product management function leading the design and development of the USGA app, as well as the overall engagement with Deloitte Digital (developer).
• Lead efforts in enhancing and delivering the digital fan experience both on- and off-site; manage all third-party vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Work with procurement and legal on all contract/scope of work reviews.
• Proactively engage with business owners to ensure digital goals and objectives are being met and are optimized for each channel.
• Ownership of key engagements tied to the organizations overall strategic plan.
• Research and monitor digital products for various events taking place in the sports industry & work with team to prepare comprehensive decks that can be used as a resource for USGA digital media strategic planning.
• Work alongside the Manager, Commercial Intelligence to drive data utilization for reporting, forecasting, and storytelling purposes.

Emerging Technology and New Business

• Utilize trends and knowledge of the competitive landscape to identify gaps in current products.
• Develop the vision for new features and capabilities; own the delivery from inception, through development, and all the way to deployment to our fans.
• Work with the corporate partnerships team to build digital activation plans; manage timelines, creative approval process and execution.
• Work with marketing and communications team to optimize promotion of new feature(s).
• Lead new business endeavors such as those in the betting or NFT space.

Gaming

• Oversee relationships with USGA’s gaming partner, Top Golf (aka World Golf Tour) and EA Sports; deliver assets against deadlines, test each iteration of the game for quality assurance and brand consistency.
• Lead the execution of live and virtual e-sports competitions; manage budget, secure and fulfil prizing, create, drive and execute promotional strategy.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve performance and engage fans.

What you bring to the USGA:

• 7+ years’ experience working in sports, media, technology or related field(s).
• Digital savvy with knowledge and comfort of the evolving landscape.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to multi-task several time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and communication skills with the ability to work effectively in partnerships both internally and externally.
• Experience managing team of highly motivated, skilled teammates
• Deep level of curiosity with a growth mindset
• Knowledge of golf and the role of the USGA is a plus.

**Please note that you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment with the USGA (proof of vaccination will be required and reasonable accommodations will be considered for medical or religious reasons).

About the USGA

The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

The United States Golf Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer