Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communication

Colby College•Colby, KS

13d•$65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information & Communications is a senior communications strategist and administrator for Colby College’s Department of Athletics. Reporting directly to the Deputy AD for Competitive Excellence, the role assists with leadership of external communications, media relations, digital content, broadcast and media rights, crisis response, and brand protection. The position directly oversees and supervises full-time communications staff and media specialists. Colby competes in 32 intercollegiate sports at the Division III level and also operates campus recreation, club, and intramural sports. The department’s facilities include the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and a 70-acre-plus outdoor competition center. Its Peak Performance Program integrates sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, and sports sciences. The hiring range is $65,000–$70,000. The position requires regular evening and weekend work around game schedules, travel, and frequent travel and early morning, evening, and weekend work. Candidates should apply electronically with a cover letter and resume.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in athletics communications, sports information, media relations, and marketing.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills and attention to detail.
Strong self-initiative and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Ability to collaborate and maintain positive working relationships with staff, coaches, administrators, and campus colleagues.
Ability to work independently and exercise judgment with minimal supervision.
Ability to work evenings and weekends regularly based on game schedules, and to travel as required.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect privacy.
Ability to meet highly inflexible deadlines and handle sudden, urgent tasks.
Ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with people expressing strong opinions or emotions.
Frequent movement around grass, turf, courts, gymnasium, and training rooms.
Frequent prolonged computer use, including keyboard and mouse use and viewing a monitor.
Frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
Close and distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to shift focus quickly, manage interruptions, and track multiple projects and tasks.
Ability to work in an environment that is usually moderately noisy, with occasional louder sounds.
Frequent travel and early morning, evening, and weekend work.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Preferred experience in personnel management.
Experience with Photoshop, Adobe Express, and other graphic design programs desired.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor communications staff, including the Assistant Athletic Director, digital content creators, and broadcast directors.
Serve as the primary media and communications contact for assigned varsity programs, overseeing press box and scorer’s table operations, statistical crews, live video streaming, webcast broadcasts, and social media coverage for home, away, and postseason contests.
Represent the college and athletic department on NESCAC communications committees, NCAA regional and national committees, and collegiate sports communicators associations.
Assist the Deputy AD in coordinating crisis communications, sensitive issue management, and high-profile messaging with Campus Communications, General Counsel, and senior leadership.
Assist with the Mule Weekly Recap and other primary projects during the academic year.
Support the Deputy AD and assigned head coaches in identifying storytelling opportunities and managing sport-specific web and media interview needs.
Assist the Deputy AD in managing department brand identity and overseeing marks and logos.
Manage live statistical capture and ensure accurate box scores and season statistics are reported to the NESCAC conference office and NCAA by required deadlines.
Use Adobe Creative Cloud and video editing suites to create social media graphics, video highlights, and promotional materials.
Maintain professionalism, integrity, and customer-service-oriented interactions with student-athletes, coaches, visiting teams, media outlets, and campus partners.
Collaborate with other Department of Athletics team members.
Support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and athletic culture.
Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change.