Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Healthcare

Retirement plan

Deferred compensation

Tuition waiver

Training & development

Job summary

Washington State University Athletics is seeking an Assistant Director, Athletic Communications to develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies for varsity sport programs. You will serve as the primary communications contact, craft storytelling campaigns, manage media relations, and collaborate across departments to elevate the Cougar brand and student-athlete experience.

Working under the Associate Athletic Director, you will provide strategic counsel, create multi-channel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of professional experience in print or broadcast news media, public relations, or marketing.
• Strong written and verbal communication, editing, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies for assigned varsity programs.
• Serve as primary communications contact and manage media relations.
• Create integrated storytelling campaigns and multi-platform content.
• Collaborate across Athletics Communications, Marketing, Creative Services, Digital Strategy, NIL, Development, and external partners.

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
August 30, 2026

Available Title(s)

1281-YN_ADMINPRO - Public Relations/Communication Coordinator

Business Title

Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

Employee Type

Admin. Professional

Position Details

The Opportunity:

As the Assistant Director, Athletic Communications you are responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies for assigned varsity sport programs that advance the mission, visibility, and strategic priorities of Washington State University Athletics. Serving as the primary communications contact for assigned sports, you will develop integrated storytelling campaigns, manage media relations, and collaborate across Athletic Communications, Marketing, Creative Services, Digital Strategy, NIL, Development, and external partners to elevate the Cougar brand and enhance the student-athlete experience.

You will work under the direction of the Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Communications, your role provides strategic communications counsel to coaches and administrators, develops compelling content across multiple platforms, manages earned media opportunities, and supports department-wide communications initiatives, championship communications, and crisis communications efforts. Your role will require exceptional project management, collaboration, creativity, and the ability to execute communication strategies in a fast-paced Division I athletics environment.

Additional Information

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime-eligible.

Monthly Salary: $4,508.70 - $4,583.34 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation
• optional supplemental retirement accounts
• training and development
• employee tuition waiver

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing or other relevant field AND either two (2) years of professional experience in print OR broadcast news media, public relations, marketing including the use of electronic media or two (2) years of other relevant professional experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Strong creative, conceptualization, communications, public relations, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Strong planning, organization, and time management skills.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated editing and proofreading skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Outlook, and Excel programs; Adobe Creative Suite experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Sport Management, or related field.
• Two (2) or more years of Division I Athletics Communications experience in a full-time or part-time capacity.
• Demonstrated experience developing integrated communications strategies and digital storytelling campaigns.
• Experience working collaboratively with Marketing, Creative Services, Digital Media, NIL, and Development.
• Experience supporting NCAA Championship and Conference Championship events.
• Experience in crisis communications, reputation management, and executive communications.
• Experience utilizing web content management systems, social media analytics, and media monitoring platforms.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department

https://wsucougars.com/

Area/College: Athletics, Intercollegiate

Department Name: Athletics Communications

Location: Pullman, WA

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/