Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

About IPTAY and Clemson Athletics:

The Clemson University Athletic Department, one of the nation’s premier athletic and academic brands, sponsors 21 NCAA Division-I sports and supports more than 500 student-athletes. The department relies on the support of IPTAY (originally – I pay ten a year), which was founded in 1934. It is now one of the of the most successful athletic fundraising organizations, providing millions of dollars in scholarships for student-athletes and non-athletes alike and substantial support for programs and facilities that help Clemson Athletics build championship-level programs.

As part of IPTAY, you help student-athletes be top competitors both on the field and in the classroom and you get all the benefits that come with being a part of this important organization.

IPTAY is supported through annual donations, gift planning, and major gifts. Each is vital to the success of Clemson Athletics.

IPTAY Mission Statement:

IPTAY provides resources to support the academic, athletic, and personal development of Clemson University student-athletes and the competitive success of Clemson Athletics.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications plays a key role in advancing IPTAY’s mission by executing thoughtful, donor-focused communications that support Clemson Athletics and its student-athletes. This position supports a wide range of marketing, communication, and fundraising initiatives, with a particular emphasis on digital communications, premium seating messaging, donor engagement, and storytelling.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor, highly organized, and excited to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven collegiate athletics environment. This role collaborates closely with internal stakeholders across IPTAY and Clemson Athletics to ensure clear, consistent, and compelling communications.

View Full Description

About IPTAY and Clemson Athletics:

The Clemson University Athletic Department, one of the nation’s premier athletic and academic brands, sponsors 21 NCAA Division-I sports and supports more than 500 student-athletes. The department relies on the support of IPTAY (originally – I pay ten a year), which was founded in 1934. It is now one of the of the most successful athletic fundraising organizations, providing millions of dollars in scholarships for student-athletes and non-athletes alike and substantial support for programs and facilities that help Clemson Athletics build championship-level programs.

As part of IPTAY, you help student-athletes be top competitors both on the field and in the classroom and you get all the benefits that come with being a part of this important organization.

IPTAY is supported through annual donations, gift planning, and major gifts. Each is vital to the success of Clemson Athletics.

IPTAY Mission Statement:

IPTAY provides resources to support the academic, athletic, and personal development of Clemson University student-athletes and the competitive success of Clemson Athletics.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications plays a key role in advancing IPTAY’s mission by executing thoughtful, donor-focused communications that support Clemson Athletics and its student-athletes. This position supports a wide range of marketing, communication, and fundraising initiatives, with a particular emphasis on digital communications, premium seating messaging, donor engagement, and storytelling.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor, highly organized, and excited to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven collegiate athletics environment. This role collaborates closely with internal stakeholders across IPTAY and Clemson Athletics to ensure clear, consistent, and compelling communications.

JOB DUTIES

Digital & Web Communications

• Manage and maintain IPTAY’s social media presence, including day-to-day content planning, publishing, and overall brand voice.
• Oversee website maintenance and content updates using the WMT Web Developer platform.
• Collaborate on IPTAY’s digital advertising initiatives.

Email & Donor Communications

• Develop and execute premium seating communications, including newsletters for football premium spaces, men’s and women’s basketball, and gymnastics-based seating areas.
• Lead Block C Club communications and solicitation messaging.
• Lead Cub Club communications, solicitations, and event marketing.
• Produce weekly IPTAY communications such as My Orange Update, newsletters, and donor updates.
• Support sport-specific giving communications and solicitation efforts.
• Assist in all IPTAY communications

Events, Revenue & Special Initiatives

• Coordinate communications for premium concerts and special events, including messaging tied to new revenue opportunities.
• Provide communications support for donor events, including invitations, follow-up messaging, and on-site needs as required.

Creative & Development Support

• Create one-sheeters, proposals, and other donor-facing materials to support fundraising initiatives.
• Support special initiatives including facility updates, donor spotlights, NIL fulfillment communications, coach testimonials, and other storytelling projects.
• Serve as a writer and co-editor for Orange: The Experience magazine – a publication produced quarterly.

Additional Areas of Support

• Assist in IPTAY events and related activities.
• Support CUAD Athletic Communications in events, publications, and promotion as needed.
• Contribute to IPTAY’s fundraising and membership goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education: The minimum education required to perform the primary role of this position.

• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree preferred

Minimum Experience: The minimum years of applicable and relevant work experience that would be necessary to effectively perform the position.

• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience (internships or graduate assistantships considered).

Equipment/Systems Utilized: Equipment with which the incumbent must be familiar or will be required to operate or use.

• Salesforce Marketing Cloud (proficiency preferred), website content management (WMT Web Developer preferred), Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office

QUALITIES/CHARACTERISTICS

Technical & Leadership Experience:

• Applicable technical experience and past performance in areas outlined in this job description
• Experience in collegiate athletics or athletic fundraising
• Background in marketing and strategic communications
• Familiarity with donor-focused messaging and fundraising communcations
• Job versatility

Good Judgement:

• Demonstrate good judgment and the ability to respond quickly and deal successfully under pressure and in a very open and public environment
• Willingness to adjust to changes in the current landscape of college athletics

Manages Self:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced athletics environment
• Strong work ethic
• Self-starter with ability to analyze situations and address with a solutions-based approach
• Works with minimal supervision and manages own time effectively

Teamwork:

• Works effectively and cooperatively with others to achieve organizational goals
• Ability to initiate, build, and maintain relationships
• Willingness to learn and contribute

Communication:

• Effectively shares/disseminates information; listens to others and incorporates/integrates information
• Uses oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to achieve role objective

Customer Service Focus:

• Effectively and efficiently meets the needs of IPTAY donors; delivers high quality service and makes customer service a priority by seeking ways to improve service through innovation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain at work station for long periods of time.
• Move, transport, raise or lower items of 10lbs. or less.

Work Schedule

• Standard Hours: 40 per week
• Includes (as applicable): Event Days, evenings and weekends

Office Location:

McCarter Family IPTAY Center

1 Avenue of Champions

Clemson, SC 29634

IPTAY is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We make every effort to provide fair and equal treatment on the basis of merit in all our employment decisions, including but not limited to decisions concerning hiring, retention, promotions, working conditions, compensation, benefits, training, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. We pledge to treat all employees fairly without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Any applicant with a disability may contact IPTAY at 864-656-0314 or IPTAYHR@clemson.edu to request an accommodation related to the application process.

Apply Now

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