Job Description
University of the Pacific, a Division I institution in the West Coast Conference, seeks a highly motivated individual for the position of Assistant Director of Athletics Communications. The position will work closely with women's basketball as well as other sports as assigned.
The Assistant Director of Athletics Communications develops and executes primary media relations strategies to build awareness of and support for the NCAA Division I Pacific Athletics program and its strategic priorities in major regional and national media markets. This involves pitching and placing stories and other content that reaches and engages target audiences through the news media, the athletics website, its social media platforms, and other communications channels. Advises student-athletes, athletic coaches, and leadership on effective media relations, and coaches student-athletes, athletic coaches, and athletic administrators on media interviews and media training. Plans, implements, and measures the results of media campaigns. Enhances and protects the athletic department and university reputation through effective issues and crisis management and excellent media relations. Advises and keeps internal and external audiences, including the news media, informed during emergencies. Establishes and maintains media experts database by developing strong relationships with coaches staff, students, alumni, and others to cultivate content and story ideas that support the Pacific Athletics brand. High level of decision-making and autonomy within the scope of responsibilities as this professional must be adept at moving quickly, multi-tasking, and handling daily and emerging priorities. Must be comfortable working with senior athletics and community leaders.
Essential Functions: - Identifies, develops, and produces news releases, editorials, opinion pieces, advisories, expert lists, video stories, podcasts, social media campaigns, and other rich news content that advances Pacific Athletics and sports program priorities.
- Develops and cultivates relationships with traditional and new media across all channels in Pacific Athletics' important markets; maintains regular contact with media sources and conducts campus media events annually to pitch Pacific Athletics strategic initiatives.
- Works with senior level athletic administrators and athletic coaches on media pitches, interviews, media training, and strategic story development.
- Manages issues and crises and makes decisions in concert with leaders to provide guidance and expertise in crisis and emergency management to protect the university's reputation.
- Has a high level of autonomous decision-making to facilitate rapid media interviews and deploy subject matter experts for breaking stories.
- Advises and counsels athletic leadership on issues management and media relations; prepares research, white papers, speeches, media kits, talking points, and other relevant materials.
- Develops and executes communications plans that leverage athletics-controlled and external channels across various platforms (digital, print, podcasts, video) to effectively disseminate stories and content to target audiences.
- Pitches stories, op-eds, photo opportunities, events, and more to news media in ways that effectively advance the university's top strategic priorities.
- Manages one or more student assistants per semester in teaching and managing media relations duties such as writing, editing, and pitching media stories, media kits, responding to media queries, managing databases, compiling press clips as well as Hires, trains and supervises game day media relations staff (for more than 150 events per year).
- Assists in special projects.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.
Preferred Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in media relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
- Solid understanding of various media forms and communications used within industry.
- Knowledge of NCAA and conference rules and regulations.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to get message across by adopting a range of styles, tools, and techniques appropriate to the audience and nature of information. Ability to deal with a wide range of people with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, both internally and externally.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop
- supporting programs.
- Working knowledge of publishing software, MS Office, video editing software, various content management software system software.
- Working knowledge of various social media outlets.
- Positive attitude.
- Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
- Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.
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