Director of Athletic Communications / Sports Information Director

About Us Valdosta State University Athletics is one of the premier NCAA Division II athletics programs in the nation, combining championship success, passionate fan support, and a tradition of developing student-athletes who excel in competition, the classroom, and the community. The Blazers compete in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and have earned national recognition as one of Division II's most successful athletic departments. By the Numbers: 10 NCAA Division II National Championships -Men's Tennis (2006, 2011, 2024, 2025) -Football (2004, 2007, 2012, 2018) -Softball (2012) -Baseball (1979) | 11 National Dance Alliance National Championships (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2025, 2026 x 2) | 5 National Cheerleaders Association National Championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018) | 60 Gulf South Conference Championships | 350+ Student-Athletes | 12 NCAA Division II Athletic Programs + nationally recognized dance and cheerleading programs.

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary Direct and manage the athletic communications and sports information functions for the Department of Athletics. Lead media relations, statistical reporting, publications, digital content, and athletic communications strategies to promote student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs. Ensure compliance with institutional, conference, and NCAA reporting requirements while serving as the primary communications liaison for intercollegiate athletics.

Responsibilities Typical Allocation of Duties:

Athletic Communications and Media Relations - 25%

Serve as the primary media contact for the Department of Athletics. Develop and maintain professional relationships with media outlets, conference offices, institutional stakeholders, and athletics communications professionals. Coordinate media requests, press conferences, interviews, and publicity efforts to enhance visibility of athletic programs and student-athletes.

Statistical Reporting and Records Management - 20%

Oversee the compilation, verification, maintenance, and distribution of official team and individual statistics, records, and historical information for all varsity sports. Ensure accuracy and compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional reporting requirements. Complete daily, weekly, seasonal, and ad hoc reports as assigned.

Digital Communications and Website Administration - 15%

Direct the design, content management, and maintenance of athletics websites, statistical databases, digital platforms, and related technologies. Coordinate timely publication of news releases, schedules, results, rosters, records, and multimedia content.

Publications and Content Development - 15%

Develop, write, edit, and oversee production of athletic publications and promotional materials including game programs, media guides, schedule cards, media packets, event information documents, feature stories, and digital content. Manage publication timelines and ensure delivery of high-quality communications materials.

Administration and Event Operations - 15%

Manage assigned departmental resources. Coordinate athletics streaming services and vendors. Plan and direct communications operations for home athletic events. Attend contests and provide game-day communications support, statistical services, and media coordination. Travel with teams as needed and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Personnel Leadership and Support - 10%

Hire, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate graduate assistants, student employees, and event staff. Participate in departmental planning initiatives and provide communications expertise to support athletics goals and objectives.

Supervisor Expectations: Position is involved in all aspects of communication within the athletic department, but not limited to:

Game day table staff for all athletic events. Coordination of outside community activities. Supervision of graduate assistants. Coordination of media requests for coaches and staff within Blazer Athletics.

Proposed Salary Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment Applicants are required to provide: professional references with current contact information documentation of academic credentials employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment, view social media outlets, and remove job postings without additional notification. Employment is contingent upon:

successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check reference checks Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

satisfactory credit check successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) pre-employment drug testing confirmation of credentials After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

New employee orientation VSU's Annual Compliance Training: USG Ethics Policy Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy Drug Free Workplace Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Motor Vehicle Policy Workers Compensation (new hires) Georgia Open Records Act (new hires) USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly) Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving Equal Employment Opportunity Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Accommodations If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Clery Disclosure The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2025-asfr-final-draft-aa.docx.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.

Required Qualifications
Required Experience

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of related work experience.

Internal Number: 301193