Associate Director of Communications

KANSAS ATHLETICS•Lawrence, KS

2d•$55,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Communications Director will serve as the primary media relations contact for the Kansas Baseball team, along with being the secondary contact for Kansas Football and providing oversight of Kansas Rowing. This position will coordinate communications efforts and proactively publicize all aspects of their assigned programs, which can include conducting press conferences, weekly media availabilities and interviews and leading the strategic messaging of the program’s social media pages. Duties include ensuring KUAthletics.com and all assigned sports digital and social media platforms are up-to-date in a timely manner to provide information to fans and media. Also included is the designing, writing and editing of record books and media guides, producing press releases and game notes, coordinating interview schedules for coaches and players, keeping and updating statistics and historical records.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, degree in Communications, Journalism, or Sports Management is preferred;
Minimum two years of experience in the Athletic Media Relations or related field;
Working knowledge of the following social media platforms: Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram;
Strong level of creativity in designing and editing content - the demonstrated ability to take it from idea to execution;
A working knowledge of the Genius and Stat Input statistical software;
Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively under multiple, strict deadlines in a fast-paced office environment with the capacity to adapt quickly to major and minor changes in projects and outcomes;
Ability to work well both independently and in collaboration with staff as a team member;
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and solutions focused approach to challenges and improvements;
Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed during peak game and recruiting seasons;
Ability to tell stories through a variety of media across multiple platforms.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications, journalism, sport management or related degree;
Website design and working knowledge of Sidearm platform;
Working knowledge of Adobe, Photoshop and Illustrator;
Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act.

Responsibilities

Oversee the communications and publicity plan for Kansas Baseball and Kansas Rowing, while assisting Kansas Football, through traditional media and owned media, i.e. website, social channels, television network, radio, etc.;
Responsible for day-to-day media operations of Kansas’ Baseball and Rowing teams, including coordinating all player and coach interviews, arranging media conferences, game day operations, statistics, producing press releases and games notes, game day programs, updating the website, and travel with the baseball team;
Assist in the design maintenance of all Kansas Athletics websites and assist with other electronic assets, by working hand-in-hand with the department’s lead graphic and web designers;
Responsible for the consistent look, design, and feel for all Kansas Athletics websites through working closely with the department’s lead web designer, other communications employees and the web hosting company;
Proactively pitch and promote storytelling within the sports assigned and assist in the overall publicity efforts for Kansas’ 16 sports;
Supports the department with highly visible and effective social media presence;
Work closely with web hosting company; Jayhawk Sports Marketing; Jayhawk TV and Radio Networks; and Rock Chalk Video to ensure full integration and interactivity with all digital platforms;
Mentor and oversee the day-to-day task management of a group of student interns and/or game day workers;
Follow established policies and procedures. Handle unusual or non-standard situations by interpreting these guidelines and adapting creative solutions;
Handle confidential information and sensitive situations with the upmost professionalism and within the policies and procedures of Kansas Athletics, the Big 12 Conference, NCAA and State of Kansas;
Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics or their designee.