Director, Athletics Communications

Florida SouthWestern State College•Fort Myers, FL

About The Position

Florida SouthWestern State College is seeking a Director, Athletics Communications to serve as the primary communications and media relations professional for the College’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The position coordinates communications that promote athletic programs, student-athletes, coaches, and events; supports positive media coverage and public awareness; and ensures information is accurate, timely, and consistent for internal and external audiences. The Director works with Athletics leadership and College departments to support the College’s mission, strategic priorities, and communications standards. The role manages media relations, athletic communications materials, website and social media content, event communications and statistics, and communications budget activity. It also provides guidance to coaches, student-athletes, and staff for interviews and other public-facing opportunities, and represents the department at community and media events as assigned. The work environment includes a normal general office and outside environment. The role routinely requires seeing, hearing, speaking, sitting, bending, stooping, and walking; lifting 40 or more pounds may occasionally be required. The position requires a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and independent travel to College campuses and other locations for College business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in sports journalism, sports administration, public relations, or a related field.
Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in collegiate athletics communications, sports information, media relations, public relations, communications, or a related field.
Experience in a college or professional sports information office or communications environment, including knowledge of statistical and publishing software and website or digital content management.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
Ability to travel independently to various campuses and other locations for College business.
Proficiency with a personal computer, Microsoft Office or similar office software, and electronic mail.
Ability to think critically and creatively, demonstrate integrity, and incorporate best practices into the organizational culture.
Knowledge of policies, procedures, and external regulations pertaining to the position.
Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis techniques.
Ability to make presentations to groups of various sizes.
Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work amid numerous and diverse demands.
Ability to anticipate, investigate, and analyze problems and address them proactively.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the public.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment, work independently, and follow through on assignments.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work with varied constituencies and contribute to a team effort.
Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and present information meaningfully.
Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Ability to routinely see, hear, speak, sit, bend, stoop, and walk; ability to occasionally lift 40 or more pounds.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary media contact for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and develop relationships with media representatives.
Collaborate with the College’s Public Information Officer to ensure Athletics communications align with the College’s mission, strategic actions, priorities, and standards.
Coordinate media inquiries, interview requests, press conferences, and other media opportunities involving athletic teams, coaches, student-athletes, and staff.
Ensure information provided to the media complies with applicable public records requirements and College operating procedures.
Assist Athletics leadership in promoting athletic events, accomplishments, student-athletes, and department initiatives.
Develop and distribute news releases, game notes, feature stories, media materials, schedules, rosters, and other athletic communications.
Provide media and communications guidance to coaches, student-athletes, and staff, including interview preparation.
Coordinate and maintain Department of Intercollegiate Athletics website content with appropriate College departments; manage website and related social media updates for accuracy, engagement, usability, and consistency with College standards.
Coordinate communications support for home athletic events, including press box and scorer’s table operations and accurate statistical and media information.
Coordinate and direct statistical crews and other event support personnel; compile game statistics and provide timely reports and information to NJCAA, conferences, media, and other appropriate sources.
Maintain and monitor Athletics social media content and engagement.
Assist with developing and monitoring the Athletics communications budget and monitor, verify, and reconcile budget expenditures.
Represent the College’s Intercollegiate Athletic Department at community, media, and other events as assigned.
Maintain working knowledge of NJCAA, conference, and applicable athletics communications requirements, rules, and statistics.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, and holidays, plus winter and spring breaks.
Florida Retirement System (FRS) membership.
Educational and professional development opportunities for employees and their dependents.

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