Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications

Saint Leo University Brasil • Tucson, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications serves as a member of the Athletics senior leadership team and is responsible for the strategic oversight, promotion, and storytelling efforts of the University’s NCAA Division II athletics program. This position directs all athletic communications operations, including media relations, digital content strategy, social media, statistical reporting, branding, live streaming, and championship communications for 19 intercollegiate sports programs. The Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications promotes the mission and values of the University and Athletics Department by enhancing the visibility and reputation of the institution through innovative communications, creative storytelling, and engagement with campus, conference, regional, and national audiences. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Athletics & Wellness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in athletic communications, sports information, or intercollegiate athletics communications.
• Experience working in an NCAA intercollegiate athletics environment.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing athletics websites and social media platforms.
• Experience with live statistics software, website CMS platforms, streaming/broadcast technologies, and Adobe Creative Suite or similar design/video software.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• NCAA Division II and/or Sunshine State Conference experience.
• Supervisory experience in an athletics communications office.
• Experience with live video production, ESPN+ broadcasts, and digital content creation.
• Knowledge of NCAA LiveStats, StatCrew, Genius Sports, Sidearm Sports, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with photography, graphic design, and video editing.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Athletic Communications office and related external communication initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the Athletics administrative leadership team.
• Develop and implement comprehensive communication and branding strategies that elevate the University’s athletics profile locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Ensure consistent institutional and athletics branding across all communication platforms.
• Supervise full-time staff, graduate assistants, student workers, interns, freelancers, and game day personnel within Athletic Communications.
• Hire, train, mentor, schedule, and evaluate staff and student employees.
• Serve as the primary athletics media contact for designated sports and departmental initiatives.
• Write, edit, and distribute press releases, feature stories, game recaps, statistics, and promotional materials.
• Coordinate media coverage, interviews, press conferences, and photography for athletic events and special initiatives.
• Cultivate positive working relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Manage conference and NCAA reporting requirements, including statistical submissions and awards nominations.
• Coordinate and submit nominations for conference, regional, and national honors and awards for student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Support student-athlete personal brand development and NIL communications in accordance with NCAA Division II rules and University policy.
• Collaborate with Athletics compliance staff to ensure NIL-related content and promotional activities remain within applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Provide guidance to student-athletes and coaches on social media best practices, personal branding, and public-facing communications consistent with institutional values.
• Oversee and manage the athletics website and all official athletics social media platforms.
• Develop creative digital content strategies that increase engagement, visibility, recruitment impact, and brand awareness.
• Create and supervise multimedia content including graphics, photography, video features, interviews, and promotional campaigns.
• Monitor analytics and engagement metrics to assess effectiveness and improve communication strategies.
• Ensure all digital content produced by the Athletic Communications office — including website pages, social media posts, graphics, and video — meets applicable accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA or equivalent).
• Implement accessible practices such as image alt text, closed captioning for video content, and screen reader-compatible web formatting.
• Stay current on evolving digital accessibility requirements and best practices in intercollegiate athletics communications.
• Coordinate all athletic communications game day operations for home contests and championship events.
• Oversee statistical crews, public address operations, media accommodations, photography, and live event coverage.
• Manage live streaming and broadcast operations, including ESPN+ or conference streaming initiatives when applicable.
• Ensure accurate and timely statistical reporting using NCAA-approved software and platforms.
• Assist with postseason hosting responsibilities for conference and NCAA championship events.
• Serve as the liaison between Athletics and the University’s Marketing & Communications Office.
• Collaborate with coaches and athletics staff on promotional campaigns, recruiting content, and storytelling initiatives.
• Support athletics fundraising, alumni engagement, and community outreach efforts through communications and promotional support.
• Serve on departmental and campus committees as assigned.
• Serve as a communications resource during sensitive or crisis situations involving student-athletes, coaches, or programs, in coordination with the Vice President for Athletics & Wellness, University Communications, and legal counsel as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a crisis communications protocol for the Athletics Department, including media holding statements, spokesperson guidelines, and escalation procedures.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and discretion when managing media inquiries involving sensitive personnel, injury, or institutional matters.
• Maintain knowledge of and compliance with NCAA Division II, Sunshine State Conference, and University rules and regulations.
• Support the mission, philosophy, and strategic goals of the Athletics Department and University.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Benefits

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level