Job no: 514986
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Athletics
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Athletics

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Serve as the Associate Athletic Director of Communications and Broadcasting under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations. Lead the department’s promotional, public relations, and broadcasting efforts for all 21 intercollegiate varsity sports within the Division I FBS program, while enhancing the overall image and brand of the University of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Athletics.

Essential Functions

• Day to day oversight in planning, coordinating and directing media and public relations activities including, but not limited to: establishing image and branding mechanisms; interaction with and building relationships with local, regional and national media members and outlets; keep abreast of current trends and developments in the field through social media platforms, publications, seminars, conferences and peer group associations; a high emphasis on preparation and dispersal of media materials through both traditional and emerging methods; coordinate and activate gameday and special event operations around broadcasts, communications, media, and statistics; coordinate coach and student-athlete nominations for University, NCAA, conference, national and state awards; coordinate, prepare for and administer press conferences and interviews; maintain and create editorial content for UMass Athletics social media accounts, UMassAthletics.com, the official department website, and other department digital and printed publications; conceptualize and organize photography efforts; maintain statistics and records..
• Oversight of the department budget for Communications and Broadcasting.
• Coordination with the Director of Athletic Video Production to manage all broadcast productions.
• Work with all external units to create a social and digital media strategy that promotes and amplifies the athletics brand locally, regionally and nationally.
• Interact with campus officials, athletics administrators and staff, coaches, student-athletes, media members, department constituents, alumni and spectators.
• Serve as a liaison between the athletic department and media members and outlets, general public and University community while establishing personal contacts and providing information as requested.
• Serve as the primary media relations contact for Football and other sport programs as assigned. Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, roster and biography maintenance, schedule interviews and media opportunities, maintain and create content for sport-specific social media platforms, supervise and staff home events to assist with oversight of media work areas and media members, game operations and statistics keeping, disperse relevant and accurate information to coaches, opponents and media members prior to and after each competition and organize and archive photography images.
• Maintain daily contact with coaches, student-athletes and athletic staff in an effort to generate potential human interest and feature stories to media members in an effort to place positive public relations pieces in local, regional and national media outlets through various mediums including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, television, radio and internet publications.
• Create, prepare and disperse media materials including, but not limited to, rosters, personnel biographies, schedules, press releases, media advisories, media guides, preseason and postseason prospectus and written and/or visual digital content.
• Establish and maintain statistics, records, and team and individual information that could be used by the University, UMass Athletics, conference(s) and various outside organizations concerning historical and current information pertaining to a coach, student-athlete and/or program.
• Stay appraised of current and emerging trends in media consumption, and tailor UMass Athletics communications strategies to fit those trends.
• Working knowledge of and strict adherence to NCAA, conference(s) and University policies, rules and regulations.

Other Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required.
• Seven to ten (7 - 10) years experience in an NCAA Division I communications/sports information/media relations office, or comparable experience required.
• Knowledge and skills using PC and Apple computers.
• Knowledge and skills in desktop publishing, digital media and graphic design, social media platforms and StatCrew software.
• Skills in written and verbal communication and editing.
• Experience in staff supervision and evaluation.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays.

Work Schedule

• Nontraditional work schedule with hours varying depending on the demands of the position.
• Nights, weekends and holidays may be required.

Salary Information

Level 31

Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. The position will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jul 8 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: