Audience and Channels Manager

About the Role

The Crusaders and Matat0d6a have embarked on a new phase with their relocation to One New Zealand Stadium and the rollout of their 2027 marketing strategy. We seek a seasoned Audience & Channels Manager responsible for harmonizing how our brands engage with audiences across all touchpoints. This role transcends traditional digital marketing to establish unified ownership over audience planning, channel performance, and campaign cohesion within the Crusaders marketing team.

In this position, you will integrate audience planning, campaign execution, content creation, communications, and channel performance. You'll directly manage key channels including websites, electronic direct mails (EDMs), paid digital media, search engine marketing, and marketing technology. For Crusaders, you will lead the coordination of Communications, Content, and Design departments to ensure a seamless campaign and storytelling experience. For Matat0d6a, you'll collaborate closely with the Commercial & Marketing Manager, offering channel expertise and campaign support.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct audience and channel strategy across Crusaders and Matat0d6a brands.
• Translate marketing priorities into actionable campaigns, channel plans, and audience engagement tactics.
• Lead integrated collaboration among campaigns, content, communications, creative, and channels.
• Guarantee consistent, timely delivery of audience-focused activities with meaningful measurement.
• Manage and mentor the Communications & Media Manager, Digital Content Lead, and Design & Brand Executive for Crusaders operations.
• Support Matat0d6a through partnership with their Commercial & Marketing Manager on channel and campaign execution.
• Oversee performance and ongoing enhancement of Crusaders and Matat0d6a websites.
• Lead paid digital advertising, search initiatives, and audience acquisition efforts.
• Develop and manage EDMs, marketing automations, and personalized communications using Braze and related platforms.
• Implement reporting frameworks, extract insights, and drive marketing channel performance enhancements.
• Collaborate closely with the Consumer Manager to bolster customer acquisition, engagement, and retention.
• Partner with the Partnerships team to align campaigns and channels with commercial objectives.

Candidate Profile

You are a marketing leader with over eight years' experience in marketing, audience development, campaigns, channels, or digital marketing. You have advanced beyond simply managing channels or campaigns and possess strong leadership capabilities along with a hands-on approach to delivery.

• Proven ability to set strategic direction, lead teams, and influence decision-making.
• Direct experience with websites, EDMs, paid media including SEO, GEO-targeting, display advertising, CRM, and marketing automation tools.
• Strong commercial acumen, understanding marketing's role in achieving organizational goals.
• Skilled at using data analytics and performance metrics to inform and guide decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaborative capabilities.
• Approachable and proactive, preferring to remain involved in the operational work rather than only leading from afar.

Experience with Braze, Campaignware, or similar marketing platforms is a significant plus. Background in professional sport, entertainment, events, or other audience-centric organizations is also advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This opportunity is one of the foremost leadership roles in audience and channel management within New Zealand sport. As we establish our presence at One New Zealand Stadium, you will be instrumental in actualizing our marketing vision and ensuring a cohesive brand experience for Crusaders and Matat0d6a supporters.

You will work at the nexus of audience growth, digital marketing performance, content, communications, and branding to build the infrastructure, skills, and alignment essential for our future expansion. This is a unique moment to influence how we engage with our audiences and bring to life our "One of Us" platform.

If you have a passion for expanding audiences, telling compelling stories, enhancing digital marketing impact, and crafting integrated brand experiences, we invite you to apply. Applications close by the close of business on Friday 2nd October 2026.