Director for Athletic Communications

Texas A&M University System•Canyon, TX

About The Position

West Texas A&M University is hiring a Director for Athletic Communications in Athletic Administration. The role coordinates media and public relations efforts for assigned teams and oversees the Communications department. Work includes producing communications and publications, maintaining the athletic department website and historical records, compiling and reporting statistics, coordinating media at home events, and supervising staff and assistants. The position requires work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as travel, as required by the athletics schedule. This position is subject to budget approval. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout employment. The role is security-sensitive and subject to a criminal history investigation and verification of credentials and other required information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, sports management, marketing, or a related field.
Two years of work experience in a collegiate sports information office.
Professional experience in athletics communications, sports information, media relations, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field.
Experience managing websites and social media platforms.
Demonstrated ability to write and edit high-quality news and feature content.
Valid driver’s license and qualification to operate a vehicle under TAMUS guidelines.
Experience with PC-based software, particularly Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
Extensive knowledge of NCAA Livestats and StatCrew applications for football, volleyball, baseball, and basketball.
Professional writing ability.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Strong news judgment and storytelling ability.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and to travel as required by the athletics schedule.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or pursuit of a master’s degree.
More than two years of work experience in a collegiate sports information office, professional sports media relations office, or athletic conference media relations office.
Graphic design experience.
Streaming audio and video experience.
Knowledge of NCAA Livestats and StatCrew applications for football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball.
Knowledge of GolfStat software.
Familiarity with NCAA guidelines related to media relations and publications.
Extensive knowledge of Sidearm website editing software.
Ability to manage staff, graduate assistants, and student workers to achieve departmental objectives.

Responsibilities

Write press releases, press guides, game programs, and feature articles for assigned sports in a timely manner.
Keep team rosters and biographies current and maintain regular contact with coaches of assigned sports.
Compile statistics and report results to the media promptly after events.
Keep the athletic department website up to date before and after competition.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local, regional, and national media representatives.
Coordinate media information requests and host media at home events as the media liaison.
Issue media credentials and direct press box operations.
Coordinate media activities and social media assets for assigned sports, including game-day graphics, score updates, and weekly student-athlete and team recognitions.
Oversee maintenance and distribution of statistical records for all sports, including record-book revisions, edits, and updates.
Hire, train, and supervise Communications department staff, students, and volunteer assistants.
Coordinate media and public relations efforts for assigned teams.
Create and develop record books, recruiting brochures, game previews, and other publications and content for teams.
Maintain the athletic department's historical records and photo archives.
Coordinate and supervise game-day statistics crews and press box or scorer's table staff for home events.
Complete and submit applications and nominations for athlete and coach honors and awards as warranted.
Complete required System, University, and job-specific online training courses on time.