Director, Research and Analytics

PlayOn is looking for a highly analytical and strategic Director, Research & Analytics to lead the audience research and development strategies for the company’s National Ad Sales division. This candidate will play a key role in developing our cross-platform audience story and associated marketing materials, conceptualizing and guiding research initiatives, developing comprehensive audience analysis reports, and more. Reporting to the VP, Client Strategy, the ideal candidate will possess a strong media-driven research background with experience applying qualitative and quantitative analysis toward a constantly evolving marketplace narrative for MaxPreps and the broader PlayOn portfolio of brands including GoFan and NFHS Network.
The Outcomes You’ll Deliver·       Research & Innovation – Derive impactful audience data and insights to be used for client-facing sales/marketing materials, brand pitches and marketplace engagement·       Partnership Strategy – Participate in the development of MaxPreps’ GTM informed by research, analytics, and creative storytelling·       Strategic Planning – Develop and implement ongoing research initiatives that align with PlayOn’s business objectives and market position·       Project Management – Oversee multiple end-to-end research projects to ensure timely completion and delivery against key business objectives·       Cross-Functional Thought Leadership – Partner with key stakeholders across PlayOn to influence company’s audience strategy In this role, you can expect to

• Partner cross-functionally to develop proactive audience positioning insights that fuel brand partnership opportunities and support multichannel content / editorial initiatives
• Provide ongoing management and development of media kit and marketing materials / templates / decks through consistent audience monitoring and incorporation of key insights derived by data platforms within PlayOn’s technology stack
• Influence pre- and post-sale workflows tied to the delivery of valuable, competitive marketplace insights for client presentations and campaign reports
• Conduct ongoing cross-platform (web, app, social) analyses tied to brand ethos, audience storytelling, and supporting marketing materials
• Spearhead thought leadership initiatives that yield white papers that position PlayOn as a leader in the HS sports space
• Manage key vendor relationships including Comscore, ListenFirst

To thrive in this role, you have

• Bachelor's Degree and 4-6+ years research and/or data-driven client strategy experience
• Demonstrated track record of leveraging audience insights derived from Comscore, Google Analytics, ListenFirst and/or similar platforms to build brand positioning narratives
• Experience collaborating with teams and/or managing projects with strong performance and results with a passion to collaborate with team members
• Ability to thrive in multiple environments and effectively work with others to achieve broader business outcomes
• Organized, strategic thinker who’s able to take concepts to reality for internal teams, media agencies and brand partners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in and enthusiasm for high school and broader sports marketplace
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote and Pitch.com
• Understanding of the digital landscape including Display, Video, Audio, Social, Branded Content, Events, Data/Targeting, Ad Measurement, and more

How You Play

• Ownership over Participation- You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges.

• Team over Stars- You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win-win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed.

• Growth over Comfort- You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting discomfort and failure as opportunities to learn.

• Fairness over Popularity- You approach decisions with a scientist’s mindset, challenging your assumptions and remaining objective. You consider long-term impact rather than relying on short-term gains, proactively seek others’ perspectives, and manage emotions in decision-making.