Director for Athletic Communications

Job Title

Director for Athletic Communications

Agency

West Texas A&M University

Department

Athletic Administration2

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Canyon, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The A&M System strives to maintain a competitive, high-quality benefit package to support the health and wellness needs of our workforce. This includes comprehensive health and welfare insurance plans, additional health and lifestyle programs, and optional retirement savings opportunities. Eligible employees will have access to paid leave programs in addition to 13-15 paid holidays each year. For more information regarding the benefit package go to: West Texas A&M University: Human Resources Benefits

NOTICE - All posted positions are subject to budget approval.

General Summary:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: coordinate media/public relations efforts for assigned teams. Create and develop record books, recruiting brochures, press releases, game previews, game programs and feature articles for all teams; maintain the athletic department's web site; maintain historical records and photo archives for the athletic department; gather and maintain statistics for all athletes and teams; coordinate and supervise game-day stat crew and press box/scorer's table staff for all home events; train and supervise a support staff that may include student and/or graduate assistants; complete and submit applications and nominations for honors and awards for athletes and coaches as warranted.

Responsibilities:

• Writing press releases, press guides, game programs and feature articles for all assigned sports in a timely manner.

• Ensuring all rosters and bios stay up to date and maintain regular contact with coaches from assigned sports.

• Compiling statistics and reporting results to media in a timely manner after event completion.

• Website is up to date at all times, pre & post competition.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local, regional and national media representatives.

• Serve as media liaison by coordinating media requests for information and hosting media at home events.

• Issue media credentials and direct press box operations.

• Coordinating all media activities and social media assets for assigned sports related to gameday graphics, score updates and weekly student-athlete/team recognitions.

• Oversee the maintenance and distribution of statistical records for all sports, including revisions, edits, and updates to any record book.

• Oversee the Communications department: hire, train and supervise staff, students, and volunteer assistants.

• Maintains 100% compliance with timely completion of required System, University and job-specific online training courses.

• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions.  Other duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, sports management, marketing, or a related field. 

• Two (2) years of work experience in a collegiate sports information office.

• Professional experience in athletics communications, sports information, media relations, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field.

• Experience managing websites and social media platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to write and edit high-quality news and feature content.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and must qualify to operate a vehicle with the TAMUS guidelines.

• Experience with PC-based software, particularly with Microsoft Office, Adobe lnDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

• Extensive knowledge of NCAA Livestats and StatCrew applications for football, volleyball, baseball, and basketball.

• Professional writing ability.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required by the athletics schedule.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

• Strong news judgment and storytelling ability.

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required by the athletics schedule.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or pursuit of a master’s degree.

• Over two (2+) years of previous work experience with collegiate sports information office, professional sports media relations office or an athletic conference media relations office.

• Graphic design experience.

• Streaming audio and video experience

• Knowledge of NCAA Livestats and StatCrew applications for football, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball; knowledge of GolfStat software; familiarity with NCAA Guidelines as they pertain to media relations and publications; extensive knowledge of Sidearm website editing software.

• Ability to manage staff, graduate assistants, and student workers to achieve departmental objectives.

Applicant Instructions:

Please include the following with your application:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Three references

Please attach all documents in the attachment box at the bottom of the “My Experience” page before continuing through the application.  Please use the “Upload” button to add each document individually. All revisions must be made prior to application submission.  If you need assistance with uploading documents, please contact WTAMU Human Resources at [email protected].

Due to budgetary reasons, West Texas A&M University will not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Texas law requires all males age 18 through 25 to be properly registered with the Selective Service System.

Equal Opportunity /Veterans/Disability Employer. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.