Director of Public Relations & Communications

Overview 

Arizona Athletics is redefining the future of college sports—and we’re looking for a bold, brand-savvy communicator to help lead that charge. This is not a traditional university PR role. You’ll serve as a senior strategic advisor to the Athletic Director, influence high-level decisions, and craft stories that resonate nationally. This is a high-trust, high-impact role at the center of a $150M athletics enterprise with championship ambitions and a fast-evolving landscape. 

As Director of PR & Communications, you will lead a cross-platform communications strategy that builds brand heat, galvanizes our fan base, and drives national relevance. You’ll shape the voice of a brand that spans 22 sports, millions of fans, a global alumni network, and one of the most passionate student communities in the country. 

You’ll work closely with the AD, executive team, coaches, student-athletes, and creative teams to tell breakthrough stories, manage high-pressure moments, and build a brand that demands attention. 

This role will directly support strategic priorities such as recruiting, donor engagement, sales and NIL positioning by shaping how the Arizona brand shows up—locally and nationally. 

What You’ll Do: 

• Own the Narrative: Shape and lead an integrated PR and storytelling strategy that reflects our bold vision and values—across earned media, digital platforms, and live environments. 

• Be a Strategic Advisor: Serve as a trusted counselor to the Athletic Director and senior leadership team. Help shape internal and external messaging on key initiatives, sensitive issues, and brand-defining opportunities. 

• Build Buzz: Secure national, regional, and digital media coverage that generates attention and builds brand relevance. Pitch like a pro. Create moments that cut through. 

• Lead with Strategy: Craft clear, compelling messaging for initiatives that drive competitive success, brand equity, recruiting, and fundraising. Ensure consistency across press, social, and in-house messaging. 

• Crisis-Proof the Brand: Lead messaging during high-stakes moments, acting as a rapid-response strategist and spokesperson when needed. Develop and maintain proactive crisis communications frameworks in collaboration with HR, Legal, and University Relations. 

• Drive Fan Impressions & Monetization: Collaborate with revenue and marketing teams to translate brand awareness into fan impressions, sales, and donor touchpoints. Leverage strategic communications to support monetizable initiatives—ticketing, merchandise, and content campaigns. 

• Monitor the Landscape: Lead social listening and reputation intelligence efforts. Provide actionable insights on public sentiment, media coverage, and emerging risks or opportunities. 

• Support the Team: Collaborate with leadership to elevate key messages and ensure clarity and alignment across channels. 

• Coach Voices: Provide media and message training to coaches, student-athletes, and staff. Elevate brand presence and message discipline across all platforms. 

• Align the Ecosystem: Partner with creative, digital, donor relations, marketing, and game day teams to ensure unified storytelling across the fan journey. 

What You Bring: 

• 4–10 years of experience in communications, PR, brand strategy, or content leadership—or equivalent experience 

• A track record of success with a consumer-facing brand, agency, entertainment company, media platform, or professional sports organization 

• Deep understanding of what makes a story catch fire—media instincts, cultural fluency, and creative pitchcraft 

• Ability to navigate public-facing crises with clarity, discretion, and strategic calm 

• Ability to create a year-round storytelling strategy that inserts Arizona Athletics into a variety of sports, culture, and business moments across the calendar.” 

• Strong network of media contacts in sports, entertainment, or lifestyle journalism 

• Ability to work fluidly across teams and levels, balancing strategy, speed, and precision  

• High emotional intelligence, executive presence, and ability to operate with discretion 

• The ability to measure, aggregate, and analyze fan and media impressions—and translate those into actionable insights that support sales, fundraising, and strategic growth. 

• Comfort with AI tools and digital monitoring platforms for brand tracking, media measurement, and content amplification. 

You’re a translator of complexity, a steward of trust, and a master of timing—capable of shaping narratives before they form and making bold stories impossible to ignore. 

Bonus Points For 

• Experience working with athletes, influencers, or high-profile executives 

• Background in journalism, creative direction, law (Juris Doctor), or entertainment PR 

• Fluency in Spanish 

• Familiarity with NIL, college athletics governance, and donor-facing storytelling 

Why Arizona Athletics 

We’re a Power 4 athletics department with national reach, deep tradition, and a transformative vision. Our mission is to win championships, graduate student-athletes, and galvanize the Wildcat community. With 22 teams, a dynamic culture, and a loyal fan base, we are not just adapting to the new era—we’re shaping it.