OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Athletic Communications Director

DIVISION: Administration & Facilities

DEPARTMENT: Athletics

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 14

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Minimum Starting Salary: ESU Salary Range

EEO STATUS: 3.2

JOB CODE: 272

REPORTS TO: Director of Athletics and Recreation

SUPERVISES: Supervise, hire, and train sports information personnel (e.g., Game broadcasters, statisticians, public address announcers, part-time staff and student event workers) who will assist in performing the daily operations of the Athletic Communications office.

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: Promotes and publicizes all facets of the Athletic Department to internal and external constituencies to heighten visibility and expand support for its 19 intercollegiate programs and recreational programming. Designs and produces brochures, game programs, and newsletters. Oversees the University athletics and recreation web site. Reports results to local and regional media. Compiles team statistics and records. Assists with game day operations. Leads the operation of the Athletic Communications Office including the planning and execution of strategic priorities and supervision of supporting staff.

Follow the University's best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Athletic Communications Office through the promotion of 19 intercollegiate athletic programs by utilizing traditional and new media strategies.
• Act as the liaison between the athletic department and local, regional, and national media outlets through the distribution of press releases (e.g., recaps, features), reporting accurate scores and statistics, and coordinating interviews for department personnel and student-athletes.
• Play a significant role in the game-day experience by attending home athletic contests to provide in-game statistics (e.g., Stat Crew, NCAA LiveStats), live video broadcasts, game and score graphics, post-game interviews, photography coverage (e.g., action photos), social media updates, and other new media initiatives.
• Manage the official athletics web site, video broadcast platform, and social media streams (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, YouTube).
• Serve as the primary contact for reporting rosters, schedules, statistics, and award nominations to the conference office, NCAA, and other external organizations to promote student-athletes, sport programs, and the department.
• Promote student-athletes for local, regional, and national recognition.
• Produce all department publications, including media guides, brochures, game programs, schedule posters, departmental event programs, and other written promotional materials.
• Recruit, select, schedule, train, and supervise staff in Athletic Communications coverage and assignments.
• Serve as the athletics historian recording game, season, and career statistics; upload rosters and statistical data into the career reports function of the Automated Scorebook (Stat Crew).
• Maintain frequent communication with coaches, student-athletes, and media.
• Coordinate all photography aspects of the department to ensure head shots are taken and posted in a timely manner and game action photos are taken for each sport.
• Monitor and produce data on web analytics including broadcast and digital media traffic.
• Participate in a weekly Athletic Facilities meeting to review game management needs for upcoming events.
• Coordinate all game day staff related to Athletic Communications operations.
• Coordinate all external contacts and other media coverage as per athletic and university policy.
• Manage the Athletic Communications budget for per diem staff, production supplies, software upgrades, etc.
• Select and maintain Athletic Communications equipment inventory (e.g., video cameras, lenses, computers).
• Represent the Athletic Department in campus wide projects and committees.
• Support the work of the department leadership team with Admission, Alumni, Advancement, and programming projects. (e.g., Impact Student-Athlete events, Giving Day, Corsair Challenge, recreational calendars and programming). Collect and produce content throughout the year to be used in campus initiatives.
• Generate and promote campus support for intercollegiate programs. Meet regularly with the UMassD Marketing staff.
• Lead the selection committee for the biannual Corsair Hall of Fame and assist with the planning and support for the Hall of Fame Induction event.
• Perform other administrative duties as requested by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree

EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated experience (over 3 years) in a sports information/athletic communications office, in a college/university athletic department.

OTHER: Frequent evening and weekend hours and travel are required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Strong computer skills including web site management, statistical programs including Automated Scoreboard, and proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop (or similar applications). Ability to learn other Adobe Creative Suite Programs.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, solid writing ability.
• Ability to work with diverse populations (e.g., students, coaches, media)
• In-depth understanding of collegiate sports and the NCAA Division III philosophy.
• Knowledge and ability to implement University, Conference, and NCAA policies and procedures.
• Highly motivated, self-starter with ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain favorable relations with internal (e.g., Admissions, Advancement, Marketing), and external community groups.
• Able to provide supervision to student workers, graduate assistants, and other part-time personnel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a multi-sport broad based athletic program.
• Experience in web site maintenance/design.
• Experience in graphic design.
• Master's degree.
• Adobe Creative Cloud.

Note: Other job-related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organization needs.

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.

Important Notice!

UMass Dartmouth requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all faculty, staff, and students who wish to work, live, learn or physically come to campus.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is December 9, 2022.

The review of applications will begin December 12, 2022 and will be ongoing.