Assistant Director of Communications & Social Media

About the Job

Position Overview
The Assistant Director, Communications and Social Media will serve as a member of the athletic communications team and work to advance the reputation and positioning of the University of Minnesota Department of Athletics. The position will work with the women’s hockey team and share communication and social media responsibilities for that sport. This position will also be responsible for creating and managing content across multiple social media platforms for Minnesota’s overall Gopher Sports accounts and men’s basketball accounts. Areas of responsibility include implementing communication and social media strategies, creating and collaborating on content, monitoring and analyzing key social performance metrics. This position will work with other sports as well and on special projects, but the majority of their efforts will be spent on women’s hockey communications, men’s basketball social media and managing the overall Gopher Sports accounts. The position will report to the Sr. Associate AD for Communications, while also receiving direct communication and guidance from the Assistant AD for Communications. This position will also work closely with units throughout the department including creative services, digital productions, marketing, ticketing, fundraising, Gopher Sports Properties, etc. to effectively and efficiently meet the demands of the Athletic Department in today’s marketplace. This position will orchestrate social media campaigns that help drive revenue as well as enhance the national visibility and exposure of Gopher Athletics. 

Primary Responsibilities
1. Public Relations / Communications (25%): Develop, coordinate and implement public relations and communications strategy and plans for assigned sports (women’s hockey). Oversee and manage communications for women’s hockey, including press conferences, post-practice and post-game availabilities, social media channels and community engagement. Coordinate publicity efforts for women’s hockey student-athletes, coaches and staff. Write and edit news releases, game notes, feature stories and social media content for women’s hockey. Maintain, coordinate and produce original content for all aspects of gophersports.com for women’s hockey.  Collaborate and coordinate with other athletic department units to gather, develop and disseminate information to key stakeholders. Manage, maintain and archival records, statistics and personnel files for historical purposes. When needed, coordinate local and national television and radio coverage for women’s hockey. Travel to specific road and postseason competitions when needed with women’s hockey as the University’s official communications lead. Capability to capture and disseminate photos and videos as needed. 

2. Game Day / Event Management (10%): Develop, implement and oversee game-day media management responsibilities for women’s hockey. Develop and manage duties for staff, interns and student workers to ensure efficient media coverage. Oversee statistical crews for women’s hockey and ensure the production of accurate statistics. Review, approve and distribute media credential requests. Produce and submit necessary personnel and statistical reports as required by and in compliance with established conference and NCAA guidelines.

3. Strategic Direction (25%): Develop social media strategies that support the goals of Gopher Athletics and the men’s basketball program. This responsibility will include, but not be limited to, monitoring of social media practices conducted by industry peers, and staying aware of emerging social media outlets and related technologies. The position will actively participate in leading the social media efforts of the men’s basketball program, which includes games, practices and daily operations. This position will serve as the “voice” of the overall accounts and of the men’s basketball accounts. That will include leading and participating in conversation on social platforms. It will also include posting in real-time, responding to topics/inquiries and promoting program initiatives. Use professional judgment to identify potential issues and respond accordingly.

4. Social Media Management (25%): Overseeing the ideation, creation and management of content for men’s basketball and overall Gopher Sports social accounts. This includes social media content that will help recruit perspective student-athletes, engage sponsors, activate marketing, fundraising and ticketing plans, NIL strategy and amplification and any ancillary programing that requires social media assistance. This position will work with members of the men’s basketball program and the communications staff to fulfill social media campaigns. This individual should have the ability to take photos/video and editing experience. They will also assist in hiring, training, and managing a student work force.   

5. Assistance/Mentorship (10%): This position will also assist the Communications team where needed. This function of the job will fall outside of their primary responsibilities. This position will also assist department staff members on preferences and best practices. This position will also have the potential to recruit, hire, train and schedule student staff to support all aspects of social media for the department; including gamedays. Or something like that?  

6. Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
BA/BS degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Art with four years of professional social media/communications experience.

Preferred Qualifications
Full-time experience in collegiate or professional sports social media, communications, marketing, digital, media relations, athletic communications or public relations.

About the Department

With more than 140 years of tradition, Gopher Athletics is one of the oldest and most decorated athletics departments in the country. Minnesota was a charter member of the Big Ten Conference. The University of Minnesota sponsors 22 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams and is represented by more than 625 student-athletes who compete in the Big Ten and Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota has claimed 29 national championships in eight different sports and has won 217 regular-season conference titles and 42 conference tournament championships. Minnesota has also produced 213 Academic All-Americans, which ranks as the tenth most all-time among college and universities. Housed in the historic Dinkytown neighborhood on the northern edge of the University campus, Gopher Athletics is succeeding against a backdrop unique in college athletics, nestled at the heart of a bustling, modern metro area. We are proud of our decorated history, but we are prepared to achieve even greater success in the years to come. Ski-U-Mah!

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $52,000 - $57,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment  (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services 

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and social media check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).