THE ROLE:
This is a two-year fellowship position that includes involvement in most aspects of Conference office administration, including the management of sports programs and championships, exposure to the areas of business operations, television, governance and compliance, and media relations, public relations/marketing and digital communications. The recipient will spend time rotating among each of the Conference Office’s departments under the direction of the respective Senior Associate/Associate Commissioner during the two-year period, which ends in the spring of 2026. The fellowship position will include travel to championships and other Conference-related meetings and events.
CANDIDATE PROFILE:
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and an interest in pursuing a career in athletic administration.
POTENTIAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Sport Administration/Championships (All Conference-Sponsored Sports)
Participate in internal operational planning meetings and handle follow-up duties as needed; assist with editing materials related to regular season and championship policies; attend select game management meetings, media days, championships, and potentially other postseason events; and assist with postseason administrative responsibilities.
Participate in select coaches and sport administration governance meetings.
Assist with computer entry updates.
Governance & Compliance
Attend meetings and conference calls.
Assist with the Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Opportunity to attend the annual American Compliance Seminar (usually takes place in June).
Opportunity to attend an NCAA Regional Rules Seminar.
Copied on all compliance related emails that are distributed.
Communications
Shadowing opportunities (Bowl Game Communications/Media Operations; Associate Commissioner’s daily interaction in handling the media).
Sit in on media teleconferences moderated by American staff.
Branding/Marketing
Assist with overall American/Institutional branding guidelines.
Assist with the Conference’s marketing and branding strategies and plans.
Administration/Other
Attend Conference meetings.
Attend applicable staff meetings.
Attend select national meetings.
Scheduling/Television
Collect and analyze data and metric information.
Compile ratings charts for networks and teams for football and basketball.
Collect and analyze other FBS conferences’ television appearances and clearances.
Assist with the development of the basketball schedules by updating professional arena availability charts.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
All materials, including a cover letter, resume and three references must be submitted electronically to:
Ellen M. Ferris, Senior Associate Commissioner
Email: eferris@theamerican.org
The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The targeted start date for the Fellow is January 2, 2025.
The American Athletic Conference is an equal opportunity employer. The Conference does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of their membership in any protected class under federal or state law.
The Administrative Fellowship is a full-time position, and the Fellow will be paid on an hourly basis plus participation in the Conference’s medical and dental insurance plans. Payment of the full amount of the award is conditioned upon the completion of the Fellowship.