ESPN Chicago Market Manager

Good Karma Broadcasting

$300K — $350K *
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Proven leadership experience with staff accountability.
  • Strong financial background in revenue growth and budgeting.
  • Strategic thinker capable of executing actionable plans.
  • Proficient in leveraging technology and data for decision-making.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Foster a collaborative team culture aligned with GKB's core values.
  • Oversee Directors in the ESPN Chicago office, including various departments.
  • Manage the ESPN Chicago budget and control expenses to meet financial objectives.
  • Drive revenue growth to achieve and exceed sales targets.
  • Build and nurture partnerships and community relationships relevant to the market.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) Plan with dependent care options.
  • Paid parental leave policies in place.
  • Opportunities for professional development and skill growth.
  • Required in-office presence with flexibility for events and games.
Full Job Description
ESPN Chicago Market Manager

(Chicago, IL)

Good Karma Brands (GKB) and ESPN Chicago are seeking a Market Manager who will play a critical leadership role in driving the success of ESPN Chicago. This role is responsible for building and sustaining a positive, collaborative team culture rooted in GKB's core values while delivering strong business results. The Market Manager leads with accountability, curiosity, and care - supporting teammate growth, strengthening partner relationships, and ensuring the market operates efficiently, strategically, and in alignment with company goals. As a visible leader and ambassador of Good Karma Brands, the Market Manager represents the organization with integrity, energy, and a commitment to over delivering for teammates, partners, and the communities we serve.

Career Responsibilities Include but Are Not Limited To:
  • Strengthen and grow a positive, collaborative team culture grounded in GKB's core values, as reflected in teammate engagement and results from GKB's 12Q teammate engagement survey
  • Manage Directors in the ESPN Chicago office, which may include but is not limited to the Director of Content, Director of Sales, and Director of Markeing
  • Manage expenses thoughtfully and within budget to meet cash flow expectations; including oversight and management of full ESPN Chicago budget
  • Manage and play an active role in driving revenue growth to achieve and exceed sales goals
  • Lead, manage, and hold market leaders and managers accountable to their roles, responsibilities, and career expectations
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners, teammates, and centers of influence within the market, including play-by-play and team relationships
  • Stay informed and engaged with the market's on-air and online content and collaborate with talent and leadership
  • Set strategic plans and goals in partnership with other managers and leadership, leveraging resources across the company to achieve new revenue growth
  • Continuously identify and implement opportunities to improve or grow the market, processes, and personal leadership effectiveness
  • Leverage technology and business systems, including Salesforce, WideOrbit, vCreative, and Adobe Sign, to improve market performance, communication, and operational effectiveness
  • Appropriately integrate AI tools into leadership and business workflows to improve efficiency, decision-making, quality, and execution while maintaining accuracy, sound judgment, confidentiality, and company standards
  • Support teammate growth and development across the market, including full-time, part-time, contract teammates, as well as those on the depth chart
  • Communicate effectively within the local market and with the Home Office, including collaboration with Teammate Development & Experience, Collections, Traffic, Creative Services/BrandWorks, Facilities & Contracts, Engineering, IT, and other teams
  • Lead with humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence while exemplifying the GKB core values
  • Perform other assigned responsibilities
  • Be a Good Karma Brands ambassador by adhering to the GKB core values: Listen, Be Honest, Work Hard, Over Deliver, Teamwork, and Follow Through


Preferred knowledge,skillsand qualifications:
  • Proven leadership experience with the ability to inspire, develop, and hold teammates accountable
  • Strong business acumen, including experience with revenue growth, expense management, and budgeting
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate goals into actionable plans
  • Comfortable leveraging technology and data to inform decisions and drive results
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate across teams and departments


Pay Transparency

The anticipated salary range for this Chicago-based position is $300,000 to $350,000 annually. This role is eligible for incentive compensation. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and performance expectations, and internal and external equity.

This role is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, 401(k) Plan, dependent care, paid parental leave, and additional benefits. The position also offers opportunities for salary growth based on increased skills and responsibilities and the achievement of targeted goals.

This is an in-office position and will require frequent commuting to visit with partners. The position will be required to work some evenings and weekends for events and games.

Opportunity for Growth:

Teammates have the opportunity to continuously learn and grow within Good Karma Brands and are responsible to represent GKB, our story, and our core values inside and outside the workplace. Teammates are encouraged to take a proactive role in building relationships and seeking opportunities throughout the company.

How to Apply:

Apply by submitting your resume to www.goodkarmabrands.com/careers no later than August 21, 2026. All are encouraged to apply.

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