Athletics Strategic Communications Coordinator

Samford-University; Homewood (AL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Samford University is seeking an Athletics Strategic Communications Coordinator to serve as the primary communications contact for assigned Varsity programs. You will publicize stories on the website and social media, manage program pages, and write press materials.

You will collaborate with the external content team to develop sport-by-sport social campaigns, coordinate graphics and video needs, and support media days. Some travel and flexible hours are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in a Division I athletics department.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles and AP style.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with coaches, administrators, and student-athletes.
• Advanced computer skills in Adobe CC and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary communications contact for assigned Varsity programs.
• Publicize and tell the story of sports on website and social channels.
• Execute social media coverage plans; innovate storytelling for accounts.
• Manage pages for assigned sports; write/edit press releases, notes, bios.
• Coordinate with external team for social campaigns and branding guidelines.
• Coordinate graphic, photo, and video needs with the content team.
• Plan and execute photo/video media days; assist content creation.
• Nominate student-athletes/coaches for awards; promote Samford Athletics.
• Travel with teams; perform other duties as assigned.
• Interact with media outlets to promote Samford athletics.

Skills

Media relations

Social/digital media management

Writing and editing

Storytelling

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Athletics Strategic Communications Coordinator will serve as the primary communications contact for assigned Varsity sport programs including media relations, social/digital media, sports information, and public relations.

• Publicize, promote, and effectively tell the story of assigned sports through the website and social media channels
• Assist in executing a plan for social media coverage of assigned sports. Be innovative in storytelling on social media for assigned accounts and teams
• Manage website pages for assigned sports. Write and edit various communication materials, press releases, game notes, game stories, coach/player bios, etc.
• Work within the external communications team to develop and execute sport-by-sport social media campaigns, follow branding and consistency guidelines, etc.
• Work closely with the external content team to coordinate graphic, photo and video needs
• Assist in the planning and execution of photo/video media days for assigned sports.
• Assist in content creation for assigned sports
• Nominate and promote student-athletes and coaches for awards.
• Work with media outlets to promote Samford Athletics and Bulldog student athletes
• Travel with teams as needed
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in a Division I athletics department.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles, practices, and techniques of disseminating information to the public through the media and other communication platforms.
• Proficient in grammar, composition, and AP style.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Organizational, management, and leadership skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with coaches, administrators, and student-athletes.
• Advanced computer skills, particularly in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines.
• The position requires some travel and working evenings, weekends, and select holidays in addition to daily office hours.
• Ability to lift at least 15 pounds.
• Possess a current, valid driver's license.
• Other related duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or other department leadership.

• Previous experience in athletics communications and social/digital media in an NCAA athletics department and/or professional sports organization.