Assistant Athletic Director, Communications & Engagement

Major Duties

• Leadership: Supervises and provides leadership to assigned personnel. Directs staff, resulting in positive outcomes relative to stated objectives and expectations. Responsible for interviewing, training, evaluation, coaching and professional development of assigned staff. Fosters and ensures excellent constituent relations (External and Internal) through clearly communicated expectations, positive motivation, training and education of staff. Ensures constituents gain and maintain a positive image of the Broncos, Bronco Athletics, the Division and the University, in general.
• Lead, direct, manage to ensure high quality of traditional Sports Information/Media Relations materials and duties for the Division. Ensure appropriate coordination of day-to-day sports information and game day press box/press row needs associated with Athletic events. Primary Football media contact. Ensure appropriate development, edit, production and distribution of media guides, press releases and game programs; have knowledge of Printing requirements. Ensure timely updating and upgrading of wmubroncos.com and other athletic affiliated web pages and social media elements. Ensure consistency of brand messaging elements. Maintain archival files of team and student-athlete statistics, data, biographical information and photos for use in Operations and for historical purposes.
• Proactively identify opportunities to create and put to action content/projects/stories (social media, web, video, etc.) that will serve as vehicles to positively influence and generate increased involvement in WMU Athletics. Use today’s changing and advancing new media technologies to increase stakeholder (Community, Recruits, WMU Students, WMU student organizations, WMU Faculty/staff, etc.) engagement, ticket sales, sponsorship revenues and donor giving. Create original graphics in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign; these will include but are not limited to: posters, social media content, marketing advertisements, and fundraising materials. Produce large-scale graphics for facility enhancements and billboards. Brainstorm and research for creative campaigns. Stay up-to-date on current design trends and principles.
• Work alongside marketing, ticketing and video staffs to plan, create and execute promotional materials/activities, in-game elements, video board operations and game environment experienced by our fans at athletic events. Work with staff to ensure public address, video and in-game entertainment (promotions, band, cheer, dance, music, etc.) script is well rounded, fulfills obligations, encourages fan interaction and enhances the in-game experience. Ensure consistency of brand messaging elements. Serve as an on site manager of in-game event staff for designated games.
• Engage stakeholders (Admin, coaches, and staff) to identify and prioritize marketing initiatives. Determine appropriate budget allocations of chosen initiatives. Develop and implement elements (online, social media, email, print, digital, traditional forms of advertising and partnership components) of chosen initiatives; ensure a cohesive approach to brand awareness is taken in development of said elements. Other duties as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises Associate Director of Communications/Engagement, Assistant Director of Communications/Engagement and student staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Required Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Significant experience working in NCAA Division I collegiate athletics communications or professional sports media relations. Experience working with administrators, coaches and student-athletes. Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, graphic design abilities and organizational abilities. Must have the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines and non-traditional work schedules to include nights, weekends and holidays as necessary. Social media experience with Twitter, Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, Periscope and other emerging applications. Ability to utilize both Mac and PC platforms, Adobe Creative Suite products, Microsoft Office and StatCrew.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English or other relevant discipline.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Athletics administration or other relevant field.
• Experience managing media relations for an intercollegiate athletics program.
• Significant Graphics creation experience.

 Apply at: www.wmujobs.org/applicants/Central?quickFind=57107