Associate AD - Strategic Communications

Summary of Job Duties:

The Associate AD Strategic Communications position is responsible for all strategic communications and creative services within the Department of Athletics including public relations, media relations, digital media, content development, storytelling, graphic design and broadcast operations. The Associate AD for Communications will serve as a member of the Athletics Leadership Team and advise and confer with the leadership team on all communications strategies and related matters. This position is governed by state and federal laws, and agency/institution policy.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field and a minimum of two years experience in sports information or athletic media relations.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Media, Sports Management or related field;

• Master’s Degree preferred;

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in strategic communications, preferably in a collegiate or professional athletics setting. (Other comparable experience will be considered).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop organizational structure for Strategic Communications unit;

• Oversight for several full-time, graduate assistant and student staff members;

• Develop, maintain and work within the structure of defined budget parameters; 

• Serve as primary communications contact for the Trojan’s flagship Men’s Basketball program;

• Anticipate, develop and implement communications strategies, tactics, policies & procedures;

• Proactively adapt to a changing communications landscape to ensure maximum productivity;

• Oversight and management of strategic partner and vendor relationships;

• Oversight of all broadcasting operations including the ESPN+ platform, radio network (in conjunction with multi-media rights partners) and other emerging opportunities;

• Oversight of all media relations activities, including press release and press conferences, statistics management and other traditional Sports Information duties;

• Serve as the Department of Athletics’ primary spokesperson and media liaison;

• Ensures that department messaging is consistent, timely and accurate;

• Provides quality control as it relates to all communications platforms and messaging;

• Proactively develops excellent relationships with local, regional and national media;

• Provides leadership and oversight of digital and social media, including the Official Athletics Website, with a focus on content strategy and growing platform following; 

• Collaborate regularly with other Trojan Athletics units including Marketing & Branding, Development, Facilities, etc. as well as UA Little Rock Marketing & Communications division; 

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to develop meaningful and productive relationships with colleagues, coaches and student-athletes;

• Demonstrated ability to convey department messaging accurately and concisely, which includes excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• Strong background in writing, editing, design (print/web) and be able to oversee efforts of Communications unit;

• Strong computer skills and related software capability including StatCrew, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and other creative programs;

• Excellent management, organizational, analytical, and project management skills;

• Ability to meet established deadlines and work effectively with diverse groups of internal and external constituents;

• Ability to travel regularly and work on weekends, nights and holidays when necessary;

• Ability to analyze, interpret, communicate, and adhere to Trojan Athletics, UA Little Rock, Ohio Valley Conference and NCAA policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$75,000

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume