Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

DHRM•Lexington, VA

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Athletic Communications serves as the primary communications contact for men's soccer, swimming and diving, wrestling, and baseball, while also providing coverage for other sports and departmental areas as assigned. The role promotes VMI Athletics through accurate, timely, and engaging content across digital, social media, broadcast, and traditional media platforms. It works with coaches, cadet-athletes, athletics staff, conference offices, and media representatives to enhance the visibility and brand of VMI Athletics. The position manages publicity and media relations for assigned sports; maintains accurate information on the VMI Athletics website; coordinates game-day sports information operations; produces publications and digital content; and assists with the management and strategic growth of athletics social media. It also supports department-wide championships, special events, announcements, and communications initiatives, and may recruit, train, schedule, and supervise game-day and student staff. The schedule is flexible and includes nights, weekends, holidays, and travel as required by athletic competitions, special events, and departmental needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, sports media, public relations, or a related field.
Strong writing, editing, communication, and organizational skills.
Knowledge of athletic media relations, statistical programs, website content management, social media, photography, and basic graphic or video production.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines, maintain accurate records, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced collegiate athletics environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and travel, based on athletic competitions, special events, and departmental needs.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in collegiate athletics communications or sports information.
Experience with statistical software, website content management, Adobe Creative Cloud, photography, social media, and live-event communications.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary communications contact for men's soccer, swimming and diving, wrestling, and baseball.
Provide communications coverage for other sports and departmental needs as assigned.
Manage publicity and media relations for assigned sports, including press releases, game previews and recaps, feature stories, notes, and statistical information.
Maintain accurate rosters, schedules, results, records, biographies, and historical information on the VMI Athletics website.
Coordinate game-day sports information operations, including statistics, media credentials, press areas, interview requests, and postgame materials.
Produce and distribute game notes, media guides, record books, programs, and other publications.
Create digital content, including graphics, photography, short-form video, and social media posts.
Assist with management and strategic growth of VMI Athletics' social media platforms.
Serve as a liaison among assigned teams, the athletics department, conference offices, opponents, and local, regional, and national media.
Promote the accomplishments and stories of VMI cadet-athletes, coaches, and teams.
Coordinate interviews and respond to media requests in a timely and professional manner.
Ensure compliance with VMI, conference, and NCAA policies regarding athletics communications and release of information.
Assist with department-wide championships, special events, announcements, and major communications initiatives.
Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise game-day staff, student workers, and other support personnel when needed.
Perform other duties and provide coverage for additional sports as assigned.