Associate Athletic Director for Communication

Chicago state university; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago State University is seeking an Associate Athletic Director for Communication to lead communications for CSU Athletics. The role oversees media relations, strategy development, and editorial content across publications and the official site, while protecting university assets and ensuring compliant representation.

The candidate will coordinate publicity, train staff and student workers, and collaborate with departments to ensure events run smoothly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, sports communications, sports marketing, sports management, public relations, communications, English, or related field.
• 1 year of professional experience in athletic communications/sports information.
• Master’s degree may substitute for 1 year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate publicity and communications for the Department of Athletics.
• Develop and implement media/public relations strategies.
• Produce editorial content for media guides, news releases, and the website.
• Nominate athletes and coaches for awards.
• Travel as media liaison for away events.
• Supervise student assistants and manage credentialing.
• Support the NEC with digital communications.
• Develop digital communication strategies (web, social, digital publications).
• Oversee website programming and content with SIDEARM Sports.
• Stay current on digital trends and analytics.
• Coordinate media coverage for home events.
• Collaborate with ticketing, events, marketing for smooth events.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Public relations

Writing

Editing

Media training

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Stat Crew / statistics tools

Job description

Associate Athletic Director for Communication

Chicago State University is committed to diversity and inclusion in our campus community and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to join our team. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provide equal opportunity in our educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation or national origin.

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S27410P

Posting Date

Posting Date 03/25/2025

Closing Date

Title

Working Title

Working Title Associate Athletic Director for Communication

Reporting to the Deputy AD for External Operations, the Sports Information Director is responsible for the writing, editing and publishing of sports related media information on all University athletic programs.
The purpose of the Sports Information Director job is to ensure that the University assets are protected through adherence to applicable external and internal regulations and appropriate external representation of CSU Athletics.

Job Description

• Provide coordination of all publicity and communications for the Department of Athletics, including media relations and media training for student-athletes and coaches
• Develop and implement creative media/public relations strategies
• Produce editorial content for the media guides for all of the Department’s athletic teams, news releases and official website, and maintaining statistical records
• Nominating student-athletes and coaches for conference and national awards
• Traveling to designated away events as media liaison
• Overseeing and directing student assistants assigned to help with selected sports
• Assisting the Northeast Conference with its digital communications efforts
• Develop and implement creative digital communications strategies including, but not limited to, web site, social media and digital publications.
• Responsible for all web site programming and initiatives including strategies, editorial content, design and updating of historical data
• Work in corporation with web site partner SIDEARM Sports
• Staying current on emerging digital communications trends, including but not limited to, mobile technology, metrics and social media
• Coordinating all aspects of media coverage for home sporting events
• Training and supervising student workers and game-day staff. Processing and distributing credential requests
• Work with other departments within the athletic department, including but not limited to the ticket office, event management, marketing, to ensure events run efficiently
• Performing other duties as assigned
• Performing special projects as assigned
• Attending events as needed to support Athletic Communications initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, sports communications, sports marketing, sports management, public relations, communications, English, or a related field.
• One (1) year (12 months) of professional experience working in the athletic communications/sports information field.
• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree
• 5-7 years experience in College Athletics or Professional Sports
• Proficient level work experience in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Acrobat, Photoshop)
• Relevant experience with supervisory responsibility in collegiate or professional sports

Minimum qualifications includes a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred; collegiate experience preferred

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of communication, marketing, social media best practices
• Knowledge of compiling game statistics (Stat Crew) for a variety of sports
• Organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and details effectively
• Ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of constituencies
• Must maintain a thorough knowledge of NCAA , Conference, and CSU rules and regulations
• Ability to establish and maintain a presence on social media
• Must have good attention to detail and the ability to note errors and inconsistencies
• Ability to meet established deadlines
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Acrobat, Photoshop); and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The Sports Information Director must demonstrate: interpersonal and verbal communication skills; ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies; critical thinking and problem solving aptitude; ability to initiate appropriate action to resolve challenging issues; organizational and time management skills to effectively prioritize and manage projects; and conscious customer service orientation.

Additional Applicant Information

Chicago State University is committed to diversity and inclusion in our campus community and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to join our team. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provide equal opportunity in our educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation or national origin.

Physical Requirement/ Demands

• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see, and hear to perform essential functions.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 30 pounds
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged standing at athletic contests and events.
• Indoor and outdoor working environment in all weather conditions.
• Non-traditional hours (evenings and weekends) is be required
• Travel to designated away events required

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Indeed
  • Linkedin
  • HigherEd Jobs
  • CSU Website
  • Personal Referral
  • Website
  • Other
  • Herc
  • Advertisement/Publication
• What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PHD
• How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
  • 0-1
  • 1-3
  • 3-5
  • 5-7
  • 7+
• Do you agree to a criminal background check?
  • Yes
  • No