Essential Duties:

Develops contacts and relationships with media representatives to create opportunities for keeping the college's Athletics program in front of the public.

Serves as a liaison between coaches and student-athletes and the press, radio, television and social media.

Supervises the Assistant Director of Athletics Communications and any other full-time or part-time staff in the Athletic Communications department.

Oversees all MIAA Network Broadcasts to ensure compliance with MIAA Network policies. Coordinates with on-campus television station for football and basketball broadcasts. Schedules and supervises staff for broadcast production in all other sports being broadcast on the MIAA Network.

Assigns, monitors, regulates and supervises all press box, press row, and scorer’s table workers for all sports as required. This could include but is not limited to positions such as statistical staff, line judges, libero tracker, public address announcer, official scorer, music operator, clock operators, scoreboard staff, and instant replay staff.

Nominates student-athletes, former student-athletes, athletic staff, and the Athletic Department for awards and recognition through a variety of organizations (MSSU, MIAA, NCAA, etc.).

Maintains the Athletics Department website and assists in website design or redesign as necessary.

Assists the Hall of Fame committee by provided statistical, biographical, and other information required for the committee to evaluate potential inductees.

Serves as the Athletic Department spokesperson whenever necessary.

Advises the Athletics Department staff and student-athletes on media relations.

Corresponds and coordinates local, state, regional, and national media regarding the athletics program.

Works in conjunction with the Athletics Marketing office to assist in coordination of website activities, video production, social media, and print materials (schedule cards, game programs, etc.) including coverage of photography and videography for home games and select road and postseason events.

Develops and communicates news story ideas of interest to the community with the media and provides necessary materials to produce those stories.

Plans and coordinates all coaches’ radio shows and press conferences.

Schedules media interviews.

Writes press releases for department website and other publications.

Maintains database of public relations contacts.

Operates within the guidelines of NCAA, MIAA and institutional rules and regulations.

Hires and supervises all student workers and interns within the Athletic Communications department.

Gathers and maintains statistics for all sports programs.

Produces and maintains the official statistical record and all record books for the Athletic Department.

Travels as necessary or requested with MSSU sports programs to provide athletics communications functions and services for road or neutral site contests or events.

Coordinates the setup of media tables and functionality on game day.

Successfully works with diverse populations.

Performs other related duties as required.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Bachelor's degree from accredited four-year college or university in related field required. Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred.

Two years collegiate sports information, athletic communications, or media relations experience required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have valid Driver's License and ability to meet the university's insurance requirements for driving university vehicles.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals and press releases.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, faculty, staff, students, vendors, and members of the general public.
• Knowledge of Adobe software (inDesign, Photoshop, Premiere, etc.)
• Knowledge of StatCrew and Genius Sports statistical software.
• Knowledge of Hudl (formerly BlueFrame) Production Truck livestreaming platform.
• Ability to calculate statistics within an athletics setting. 
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Requires the ability to manage the budget within assigned department.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment.
• Requires the ability to use computers for data entry.
• Requires the ability to use computers for word processing and/or desktop publishing.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel or use a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear including the use of a telephone. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is required to occasionally work evenings and or weekends. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color perception, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

About Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, Missouri. Joplin, with a population of around 50,000, is a retail hub serving approximately 400,000 people - the fourth largest metro area in Missouri. Approximately 5,600 undergraduates are enrolled in our state-supported, comprehensive university offering more than 100 degree options and a strong commitment to international education, liberal arts, and professional and pre-professional programs. MSSU is a member of NCAA Division II and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

Connections working at Missouri Southern State University