Heisman Trophy Trust

President or Chief Executive Officer (title commensurate with experience)
New York, NY

Reports to Chair of the Heisman Trophy Trust Board of Directors

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Background:

The Heisman Trophy Trust seeks a transformational, visionary, leader— to steward the most iconic individual award in American sports and elevate its platform for greater cultural, philanthropic, and commercial impact. With 90+ years of history, the Heisman Trophy represents excellence, character, and tradition. Yet, today’s changing landscape demands evolution. The President/CEO will protect the integrity of the Heisman legacy while launching a bold new chapter: driving new revenue models, expanding year-round visibility, strengthening engagement and partnership with Heisman winners, and growing the Trust’s philanthropic impact.

Since its founding in 2005, the Heisman Trophy Trust has served a dual mission: to annually award the Heisman Trophy to the most outstanding college football player in the United States, and to provide charitable support to underserved youth across the country. The Trust manages a high-profile brand with national and global recognition, an endowment of more than $60 million, the iconic network of Heisman winners, and enduring partnerships with media, corporate sponsors, and charitable organizations.

The Trust’s signature moment is the annual Heisman Weekend in New York City, but its potential spans far beyond. The President/CEO must modernize how the Trust engages sponsors, media, alumni, athletes, fans, and communities—transforming the Heisman from a seasonal award into a dynamic, year-round platform for influence and impact.

 

Any interested candidates should contact ZRG directly.

Contacting the Heisman Trophy Trust will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

 

Position Summary:

The President/Chief Executive Officer (title commensurate with experience) will serve as the strategic and operational leader of the Heisman Trophy Trust. This individual will report to the Board of Trustees and be responsible for stewarding the Heisman brand, evolving its commercial and philanthropic strategy, building and managing a high-performing team, and serving as the face of the organization across sports, media, and philanthropy in order to deliver on its mission and financial goals.

This is a rare opportunity for a mission-driven leader with vision, charisma, commercial fluency, and deep respect for the values of the Heisman legacy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development and execution of a long-term strategic vision for the Trust, in collaboration with the Board.
• Cultivate a strong, productive relationship with Trustees, balancing tradition with innovation.
• Serve as the primary public representative and brand steward of the Heisman Trophy Trust.

Revenue Growth & Partnerships

• Grow and lead all aspects of commercial development, including sponsorships, licensing, and media rights.
• Negotiate and manage key relationships with media partners, sponsors, and vendors.
• Identify and pursue new business models that provide sustainable, year-round revenue.

Brand, Marketing & Media Strategy

• Ensure consistent, value-creating brand positioning across events, communications, and platforms.
• Oversee marketing and communications strategy to elevate the Heisman’s relevance and reach in modern sports culture.
• Champion innovation in how stories are told—leveraging cutting-edge digital, social, and emerging platforms.

Winner & Alumni Engagement

• Strengthen meaningful and consistent engagement with past Heisman winners, with special focus on younger alumni.
• Work with the Trustees and staff to develop and manage formal structures such as advisory councils or committees to more deeply integrate alumni into the Trust’s vision and programs.
• Expand partnerships and activation with winners in support of commercial, brand-building, community and philanthropic efforts.

Philanthropy & Mission Advancement

• Strengthen the Trust’s national philanthropic impact by building and growing scalable, measurable, high-impact charitable programs that align with the Trust’s mission.
• Inspire and amplify the Trust and Heisman winners’ charitable efforts with compelling storytelling of real-world impact, backed by data with broad reach.
• Protect and enhance the Trust’s reputation as a force for good.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Build and lead a lean, high-performing team aligned to the Trust’s strategic goals.
• Oversee all day-to-day operations, budgeting, compliance, and vendor management.
• Create a culture of excellence, trust, and accountability.

Salary Range:

$350,000 - $400,000+

Qualifications, Skills and Education Requirements:

The ideal candidate will be a purpose-driven, business-savvy leader with the stature and skillset to steward a nationally revered brand while pushing it forward. The successful candidate will exhibit:

Leadership Attributes

• Visionary thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong operational instincts.
• Poised, persuasive, and able to navigate complex stakeholder environments (Board, media, sponsors, alumni).
• High EQ leader who inspires trust and builds bridges across generations and sectors.

Experience

• 15+ years of leadership experience in sports, media, entertainment, or brand-driven organizations.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth through sponsorships, partnerships, media, and licensing.
• Demonstrated success managing high-profile events and brand platforms.
• Experience engaging with athletes, alumni, celebrities, or public figures in sensitive, high-profile settings.
• Nonprofit/philanthropic experience is a plus but not required.

Skills & Characteristics

• Presence—able to serve as the face of the Heisman with credibility and authenticity.
• Strategic and creative problem solver with a bias for action.
• Comfort operating in a resource-constrained environment with high expectations.
• Ability to navigate and influence a longstanding, tradition-oriented Board of Trustees.
• Mission-driven with a passion for the philanthropic goals of the Heisman Trophy Trust.

ZRG’S Commitment:

At ZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support them. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. ZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.