Director / Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

National Collegiate Athletic Association; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in collegiate athletics is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Athletic Communications Department. This role encompasses media relations, budget management, and staff supervision, ensuring effective communication and storytelling for the athletics program. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in writing, editing, and graphic design, along with experience in managing social media and multimedia content. Join a team dedicated to enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of student-athletes while fostering community support and engagement. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact within a vibrant university environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required, master's preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in athletic communications required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Athletic Communications Department, focusing on media relations and publications.
• Serve as primary media contact for designated sports and manage social media.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Graphic Design

Media Relations

Social Media Management

Budget Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Communications

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Graphic Design Software

Video Editing Software

Website Management Tools

Job description

Position Summary:

The intercollegiate athletics program is an integral part of the university striving to achieve the same standards of excellence in athletics that exist within academic programs. The program is concerned with the physical and mental welfare of the student and strives to ensure that every student-athlete can succeed academically and obtain a degree. Sport programs are a vital function of the University at large.

The position is responsible for all aspects of the Athletic Communications Department, with primary focuses in the following areas: media relations, Internet/multimedia, publications, broadcasting, social media, budget management and staff supervision.

Job Duties:

Oversee/Assist in all aspects of the Athletic Communications Department, with primary focuses in the following areas: media relations, publications, Internet, multimedia, and assisting with social media. Responsible for budget management and staff supervision. (35%)

Media Relations: Serve as primary media contact for designated sports. • Serve as on-campus host for media as assigned. • Coordinate media interviews. • Produce official statistics, media notes and game programs • Travel with sports as necessary. • Prepare news releases and articles. • Develop relationships with local, regional and national media outlets; pitch stories to media outlets; provide stories when requested by media. • Maintain historical records and statistics. • Take photos and video, and work with others to create this content. • Coordinate award nominations. (30%)

Publications: Work with marketing and development departments to ensure quality of all printed materials; provide graphics, text and editing and work with graphic designers as necessary. • Produce content, edit, layout and design for record books. • Edit content and production of sport record books. • Production of game programs for all sports (15%)

Internet/Multimedia: Design content for websites and multimedia applications, including news and feature stories, photos, rosters, schedules and video content. • Manage relationship and communicate with website design/hosting companies. • Edit content for sports and the department on www.uncbears.com and any other department websites. • Produce content related to designated sports. • Assist with live video broadcasts on the BIG SKY TV, UNCBEARS.COM and/or TV. • Assist with broadcasting and production of highlight videos and features. • Work with students in School of Communication to produce additional content. • Assist with Athletics social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube; advise coaching staffs on how to best utilize team accounts. (15%)

Other Miscellaneous Duties. 5%

This position requires engagement in all aspects of the Athletic Communications Department, including where to allocate time and monetary resources as well as prioritize areas of media relations, publications, Internet/multimedia and broadcasting. Manage operating budget, including website, printing companies, hiring outside photographers and purchasing equipment.

This position will have a direct impact not only to the Athletic Department, but for the entire university. This position will serve as a spokesperson for the department and will assist in all aspects of athletics communication.

Without communicating effectively and telling the story of the athletics department, the department will remain stagnant and will not make positive stride in exposure, competitiveness, and community support and relations.

The position will serve as a primary media contract for the athletics department and handle media relations for assigned sports and serve as an on-campus host for media.

This position will work extensively with local, regional and national media outlets; pitch stories to media outlets; provide stories when requested by the media.

This position may oversee additional staff in Athletics Strategic Communications as determined by the Senior Associate Director of Athletics.

The position may require the supervision of part-time/student workers and interns (up to 20 depending upon the sport season) involved in the game day activities, operations, and office work.

This position may recruit, train, supervise and evaluate student workers and interns dependent upon job function during events and office settings.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree. A degree in a related field such as Journalism, Communications, Business, master's degree or equivalent experience preferred.

At least one year of experience in college athletic communications or a related field is required for the Assistant Director level position. At least three years of experience in college athletic communications or a related field is required for the Director level position.

Must have a strong background in writing, editing, design (print and web) and be able to oversee all publications produced by the Athletic Communications Department. Must be able to manage the Athletic Department website and produce multimedia content. Must be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with members of the media, coaches and student-athletes, parents, fans and alumni. Proficient with graphic design programs and video editing software. Ability to supervise Athletic Communications staff.