Associate Director of Strategic Communications

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success.

The purpose of this position is to assist in the operation of the University's athletics strategic communication operations, both internally and externally. The successful candidate will produce journalistic materials for information dissemination, prepare and edit public information through various news media, publications, social media and Internet strategies, and manage media-related services at athletics events. Applicants must have proven ability to work independently and in concert with colleagues and numerous publics. Candidates must be highly motivated and energetic, and be able to manage a demanding work schedule that includes nights, weekends and holidays, including travel with teams in a strategic communication capacity.

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

•  Handle daily communication and media-services responsibilities for the UA's women's basketball program, working directly with coaches and student-athletes to produce positive coverage in print, news, and digital media. Use creative, innovative approach to generate positive promotion of sport programs.

• Work with coaching staffs and department promotions team to create publicity plans to reach various audiences through social media and website.

• Write and edit daily, weekly and annual releases, feature stories and publications . Develop ideas, write and post material to Arizona’s official website, arizonawildcats.com.

• Utilize advanced photo editing skills for graphical use on website and social media.

• Coordinate with video department to schedule and produce multimedia materials.

• Maintain archival and records systems.

• Staff events in media-services capacity, while coordinating duties of support staff Respond to written and phone queries from media and others by providing materials, statistics, photos, and information pertaining to sport.

• Assist or direct media operations at league and National Championship events hosted by the University.

• File game reports/statistical summaries to specific or requested news outlets, conference and NCAA offices.

• Assist in daily management of strategic communications for athletics as assigned by director.

• Assist in maintaining compliance with ICA, University, Big 12 Conference and NCAA guidelines and policies.

• Assist with managing student employees.

• Additional duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions.

• Meticulous attention to detail.

• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and has a positive demeanor.

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

• Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary.

• Proficient technology & software skills including Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively and positively manage social media accounts (X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) that represent official university athletics programs.

• Exceptional interpersonal communications skills including demonstrated writing experience and story-telling ability.

• Knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance issues pertaining to publicity and promotional efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Three years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.

• Experience with Division 1 Communications Department.

• Previous experience with SIDEARM Sports content management, and/or HTML.

• Previous experience with Photoshop, InDesign and other desktop publishing programs.

• Experience with NCAA Live Stats and its various programs.

FLSA - Exempt

Full Time/Part Time - Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week - 40 + nights and weekends

Job FTE- 1.0

Work Calendar - Fiscal

Job Category - Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible - Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay - $53,039 - $66,299

Compensation Type - salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade - 7

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture.

To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Grade Range Minimum $53039

Grade Range Midpoint $66299

Grade Range Maximum $79558

Career Stream and Level PC2

Job Family Media Relations

Job FunctionCommunications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required:Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies - 1

Contact Information for Candidates Nathan Wiechers | nwiechers@arizona.edu

Open Date 8/23/2024

Open Until Filled - Yes

Documents Needed to Apply - Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please submit Resume, Cover Letter, and the answers to the following questions as the Additional Document. Thank You.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.