Associate Athletic Director, Strategic Communications

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manages and coordinates all strategic communications efforts which includes managing and implementing a strategic communications plan, delivering timely and key messaging to all internal and external stakeholders.

• Manages all public relations efforts for the Athletic Department including daily messaging and crisis management messaging as well.

• Oversees and maintains crisis communication plans and efforts, serving as department spokesperson as needed.

• Build and maintain relationships with campus, local, regional and national media. Building relationships with print and social media to showcase the Arizona Athletics story.

• Responsible for maintaining a communication strategy that is reflected in all communications and showcases the Athletics brand.

• Creates a philosophy of collaboration between Strategic Communications and other internal units within athletics to maximize the experience for student-athletes, fans, alumni and students. Works in partnership with external facing units on campus to strategize communication plans and efforts maintaining University policies and procedures in communication efforts.

• Leads efforts to proactively promote student-athletes' stories. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media to generate stories that highlight significant achievements of the department, students, coaches, and staff.

• Leads all communications, public relations, and messaging efforts for Vice President and Director of Athletics.

• Manage and direct budget for units, including overseeing all expenses related to area of responsibility. Ensuring all staff complies with campus policies for expenses and reimbursements.

• Oversee budgets for all 22 sports working alongside sports staff to ensure highest quality of information is communicated both internal and externally keeping in mind fiscal responsibility to the department and campus.

• Develops and maintains operational plans and systems that impact the unit and department, working with campus leadership to comply with strategic vision for the university.

• Supervise staff responsible for hiring, performance management, promotions and day-to-day operational tasks.

• Provides strategic and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills, leadership, and expertise.

• Oversees staff training and development in areas of expertise.

• Provide daily leadership and supervision for the Strategic Communications Department.  Oversees, develops, strategizes, and executes communication efforts across the unit, departments, and athletics.

• Recommend policies and plans that help modernize the department and move unit forward in its modernization efforts.

• Budget accountability.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of various communication theories, concepts, techniques, mediums, and strategies.

• Ability to write for various audiences and in various formats.

• Knowledge of NCAA, Conference, and University polices and procedures as they relate to this position.

• Ability to work and provide feedback to high-profile individuals such as head coaches and student-athletes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions.

• Meticulous attention to detail.

• Fosters a collaborative work environment through respectful and effective communication.

• Critical thinking skills and ability to provide multiple solutions for situations.

• Knowledge of news productions, both written and broadcast media, strategic social media marketing and informational experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.

• Nine years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree.

• Ten years of experience.

• Management and/or leadership experience.

• Experience with a college or university's strategic communications operations.