Director of Athletic Communications

Summary

Position Title

Director of Athletic Communications

Department

Athletics

Position Reports to (Position Title)

Assistant AD/ Athletic Communications

Effective Date

January 1, 2024

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

The position serves as the primary sports information director and media contact for three to four sports. These responsibilities include cultivation and direct oversight of the student worker staff, updating the athletic department’s official website, maintaining all relevant statistical data, promoting assigned sports through all relevant channels and facilitating positive press coverage with members of the local and national media. 

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assigned Graduate Assistants and Student Interns 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Represent Jacksonville University and the Athletic Department in a positive manner to other schools, and the greater Jacksonville. Represent the athletic department and university in a professional manner at various internal and external functions and in working with internal and external constituencies, including but not limited to the media and general public
• Build and implement a student internship program. 
• Serve as the liaison between JU Athletics and Gemstone Media in a collaborative partnership for our broadcasting needs.  
• Maintaining positive relationships with members of the local and national media (earned media)
• Field and facilitate interview requests
• Pitch stories
• Provide appropriate gameday accommodations
• Use creative, innovative approach to generate positive promotion of sport programs
• Cultivation and oversight of student-worker staff, scheduling communications-assigned gameday staffing, educating them on all platforms in use by the communications staff and preparing them to execute any and all gameday tasks as assigned
• Recording and organizing statistical and biographical data for assigned sports
• Updating official website (judolphins.com)
• Serve to communicate official policies of the athletic department to JU’s fans, alumni, students and campus community.
• Serve as the sole liaison to local and national media in attendance at home events for assigned sports
• Responsible for game-day operations of selected sporting events 
• Travel to conference tournament and other games as necessary
• Work within the department to cultivate positive relationships with the administration
• Serve as the point of contact for all communications related aspects of hosting or attending NCAA postseason events participated in by assigned teams
• Other duties as assigned 

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence a variety of stakeholders.
• Develop effective working relationships with coaches and other members of the Athletic Department and throughout the University.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficient with personal computers, including the entire suite of Microsoft Office Applications, Adobe Creative Cloud, and others as required.
• Ability to lead, manage, coach, and mentor people assigned to administrative functions within the department.  Strong working knowledge of and proficiency in the use of social media platforms including but not limited to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and more.
• Proficiency with Stat Crew and NCAA Live Stats statistical software
• Strong leadership skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft-based programs, including Word and Outlook 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be highly motivated, detail oriented, with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with computer software applications preferred.
• Highly passionate about their personal and professional growth  

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree required. Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration or Sports Management is highly desirable. Advanced Degree is preferred.

2. An understanding of NCAA rules and regulations is required.

3. Previous supervisory experience is preferred.

Minimum Work Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in athletic department or related area o Demonstrated ability to work with others
• Ability to successfully balance and manage multiple tasks in an active, fast-paced environment o Excellent oral, written, and computer skills 

Physical Requirements

• Be able to lift 10-20 pounds of equipment for game day operations (printers, cd players, boxes of printed material, etc…) 

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work is conducted primarily in an office environment, however attendance at athletic and other University events is required. 

 

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume, a cover letter, list of references along with a JU application to Alex Kersetter at akerste@ju.edu.