Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications (MSUAASF Range C)

Winona State University•Winona, MN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Winona State University is seeking an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications (MSUAASF Range C) to develop and implement media relations plans for 15 intercollegiate athletics programs. This role involves serving as the primary media contact, providing media relations advice, coordinating publications, and managing crisis communications. The position also oversees the WSU Athletics website and social media presence, utilizing digital storytelling to enhance the university's brand. Responsibilities include writing and editing website content, posting press releases, managing social media platforms, and utilizing desktop publishing programs. The Assistant Athletic Director will also supervise, schedule, and evaluate sports information staff, including graduate assistants and student interns, and oversee game day staff. Additionally, the role involves developing and maintaining the sports information budget and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor, such as professional development and campus committee membership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, mass communications, communication studies or related degree.
Two (2) years of experience in athletic media relations or sports information.
Experience using statistical athletics software including Stat-Crew and NCAA Genius.
Knowledge of budget preparation and maintenance.
Strong oral, written, interpersonal and electronic communication skills.
Must be able to communicate effectively with internal and external university constituencies.
High degree of creativity and initiative with strong editing and design skills.
Experience using social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, and others.
Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff.
Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience with Leadership training and development.
Experience in training, teaching, or facilitation.
Conflict resolution experience.
Knowledge of comprehensive student activities program including programming, student organizations, and leadership development.
Knowledge of NCAA and Northern Sun Conference rules and policies.
Excellent PC based computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, desktop publishing, knowledge of applicable HTML (website technology).

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a media relations plan for 15 intercollegiate athletics programs.
Serve as the point person for all media inquiries.
Provide media relations advice and training for athletes, coaches, and athletic staff.
Develop, direct, and implement a production schedule for all athletic department publications.
Develop publications such as game notes programs, game programs and sport media guides.
Coordinate all photography needs for the department.
Work closely with athletics and university administration in crisis situations.
Serve as primary coordinator of any necessary crisis communications for the Winona State Athletic department.
Serve on the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame committee and be responsible for collecting nominations and organizing the list of eligible members.
Develop, supervise, and maintain the WSU Athletics website and social media activity.
Oversee the daily operation of the website, including writing, editing, and updating all content.
Write stories and news releases for other media outlets.
Ensure the website contains up-to-date essential information for prospective student-athletes, parents, alumni, and fans.
Post press releases on the site and send them via e-mail to regional and national media outlets.
Manage all aspects of the department’s presence on multiple social media platforms.
Utilize desktop publishing programs, including Word, Xcel, InDesign and Photoshop to create publications.
Oversee the staff assigned to assist with postings.
Oversee the maintenance of the on-line Sports Network weekly and post-game media coverage.
Maintain all statistical information and complete timely submission of all required information to the NCAA, regional committees, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sports information office, and any other necessary media venues.
Supervise, schedule, and evaluate all sports information staff.
Supervise a graduate assistant and several student interns within the athletic department office, the stats team for home events and several student interns who promote the department through media (video, radio, etc.).
Oversee game workers during home events, including public address announcers, scoreboard operators and other event staff.
Responsible for the selection and training of student interns for the office, student interns for visual and audio communication, and for the gameday stats team.
Develop a daily work plan for the student workers, graduate assistant, and interns, setting priorities and indicating work assignments.
Develop and maintain the sports information budget.
Participate in budget planning to effectively utilize funds available for marketing and branding for individual student-athletes, teams, and the overall department, athletic archiving, and website enhancements.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, including professional development and campus committee membership.

Benefits

11 paid Holidays
Vacation Time
Sick Time
six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500)
a Pension Plan
457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options
pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts
employer paid life insurance
short and long term disability
professional development
a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents