The Esports Manager provides leadership and vision for co-curricular esports programs at Rowan University and is responsible for building strong partnerships across University divisions and with community stakeholders. The Esports Manager is responsible for the oversight of competitive gaming and campus-wide events sponsored in partnership with Nerd Street Gamers. The Esports Manager acts as the University liaison with Nerd Street Gamers on matters related to the utilization of the LocalHost gaming facility located on Rowan Boulevard, and manages The Game Room in the Chamberlain Student Center. This position reports to the Director, Student Center & Campus Activities.

Essential Duties:

Provide leadership and vision for co-curricular esports programs

• Oversee the University’s esports programming, including special events and facility operations.

• Represent co-curricular esports programs at University and offsite events, in person or virtually.

• Manage the esports program and The Game Room within the framework of an established budget and oversee student workers/interns, to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all operating hours and events.

• Cultivate and maintain corporate sponsorship, as appropriate.

• Work closely with campus offices to develop innovative and effective communication and marketing strategies for esports co-curricular programs and The Game Room.

• Develop a robust strategy for esports revenue generation through sponsor/partner/donor revenue and hosting camps, tournaments, and/or other events with external and internal constituencies.

• Support academic endeavors by developing a healthy and inclusive community of gamers.

• Prepare and communicate reports as needed or requested.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with and provide support for other departments and student organizations to help facilitate academic and shared usage of the Nerd Street Localhost located on Rowan Boulevard.

• Work closely with University admissions regarding marketing, scheduling and attending recruitment events.

• Collaborate with academic dean(s) housing esports academic programming to ensure  that policies and procedures are consistent with their programs consistent with college and university’s mission and goals.

• Work with academic counterparts to create partnerships that will lead to corporate sponsorships and other strategic advancements of the esports program.

Programming

• Direct, supervise, and evaluate special events, leagues, camps, and tournaments.

• Develop, market and administer experiences (such as camps, conferences, tournaments, leagues) that generate revenue for the University and serve as recruitment opportunities for prospective students.

• Create a robust programming calendar for the campus to engage with esports through tournaments, events, and open-play time.

• Work in conjunction with Nerd Street’s Localhost to amplify their esports footprint at Rowan.

Student support

• Develop a healthy, competitive and inclusive community of gamers and establish guidelines, policies, and norms that support student health and well-being, inclusivity, and competitive excellence.

• Promote the esports program to continuing students to encourage participation in the program.

• Provide a community space for casual gaming through The Game Room. Manage the facility, supervise student staff, and plan regular hours & special events.

• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate undergraduate and graduate staff.

• Serve as an essential member of the Student Center & Campus Activities professional staff, contributing to various departmental initiatives, campus outreach efforts, committee work, university-wide and divisional programs, and other assigned duties. Serve in on-call rotation to help operate the entire facility as needed.

Essential Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in any discipline relevant to the esports industry, including business administration, college student personnel/higher education administration, sports management, or communications.

• Two years of experience in esports, campus student unions, arcade, video game, and/or campus recreation industries.

• Experience in event planning.

• Ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and deadlines.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule. Evening and weekend availability is required.

• Successful record of working collaboratively with colleagues across constituency groups (faculty and staff).

• Ability to design and implement innovative programs with strong attention to detail.

• Must be flexible and possess the ability to successfully handle multiple tasks/projects simultaneously and work well under pressure, work independently and in a team-oriented environment.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

• Administrative experience, including strategic planning and budgeting.

• High energy and enthusiasm to work with students and propel them toward success.

• Ability to interact with students, parents, admission staff, and the community in a positive way.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of relevant strategies, play patterns, and dynamics of competitive play.

• Higher education experience with the creation and management of student intramurals/competitive teams.

Supervisory Responsibility, if any:

• Supervision of a graduate assistant and student employees.

Notes:

• Rowan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diverse people and abilities. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US, and the university will not sponsor an applicant for a work visa for this position.
• Only completed online applications submitted on or before the posted deadline will be considered.