Associate AD, Strategic Communications (Athletics)

Associate AD, Strategic Communications (Athletics)

Posting Number

req20532

Department

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Associate AD, Strategic Communications (Athletics)

Posting Number

req20532

Department

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Administration and Athletics

Department Website Link

arizonawildcats.com

Location

Main Campus

Address

1 National Championship Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success.

The University of Arizona's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) is seeking an experienced communications professional for the position of Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications This position will serve on the Athletics Department's Senior Leadership Team, will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a strategic and pro-active communications strategy to promote and best position Arizona Athletics in all forms of communication from sports to business to the digital space which includes social and mobile platforms, will oversee and direct all aspects of the athletics communications office, manage the official athletics website, and will act as the liaison to local, regional and national media outlets to advance and promote Arizona Athletics. This position will collaborate with ICA Marketing and Community Relations, and with External Relations and University Communications to coordinate and enhance their communication efforts.

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategically plan and coordinate of all major department initiatives, events and communications plans, including press conferences, major personnel announcements, capital projects and the introduction of new initiatives for all 22 Division I sport programs, staff, and student-athletes.

Actively work for to enhance the Arizona Athletics brand; working with student-athletes, coaches, communication services and marketing staff to enhance the Arizona Athletics brand, message and story in the local, regional and national media.

Collaborate with Marketing, Community Relations and other internal resources to develop strategies that promote Arizona Athletics, including integrating and supporting marketing and sales interests.

Develop, implement and coordinate effective delivery of content through the department's web site and allied social media outlets.

Establish and maintain relationships with key local and national media executives, editors, reporters and personnel to facilitate the ongoing partnership between Arizona and media entities.

Oversee full-time staff for a Division I Communication Services Department, including overseeing work productivity, hiring, performance improvement, promotions, and salary adjustments as well as provide training and leadership in media conduct to student-athletes, coaches and staff.

Recruit, train and manage strategic communications team to achieve goals and objectives.

Ensure assigned units are operated in compliance with University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.

Advise and facilitate media strategies including crisis management to address major constituency issues.

Coordinate student-athlete nominations for University, Conference, NCAA, State and national awards.

Develop and implement strategy for departmental, Conference, regional and NCAA statistical data bases, including Arizona honors (awards/honors), annual achievements and highlights (NCAA and Conference team and individual championships, academic honors) and digital assets (photos, video).

Assist with the preparation of speeches and communications as well as formulating communication strategies for the department.

Utilize media experience to create innovative content, including stories, social media, and podcasts.

Oversee budget for unit, provide budget projections and updates, and maintain effective management practices.

Coordinate with the Conference office and Conference member institutions to ensure consistency of communication and implementation of Conference-wide strategies.

Serve as ICA liaison with UA External Relations and other campus communication entities.

Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strong leadership and communication skills.

Ability to perform under deadline pressure and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with conflicting deadlines.

Knowledge of media and communications strategies.

Ability to communicate easily with the media, as well as student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

Ability to perform detail oriented yet creative work and independently take action.

Ability to generate original and imaginative solutions to external crisis.

Knowledge of, and compliance with, NCAA, Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position.

Knowledge of in-game operations and the use of Automated Scorebook and StatCrew.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.

Eight years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree.

Five years of experience working in a Division I Communication Services/Media Relations Office.

Experience in writing press releases, establishing and managing relationship with print and electronic media on a national level.

Experience handling sensitive and confidential information and/or material with discretion.

Experience in public relations, including experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference, NCAA officials, community leaders, government officials, alumni and donors.

Experience with Power 4 Conference, and national print and electronic media procedures.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40 + nights and weekends

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$65,687 - $85,393

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

9

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Grade Range Minimum

$65687

Grade Range Midpoint

$85393

Grade Range Maximum

$105099

Career Stream and Level

PC4

Job Family

Marketing

Job Function

Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required:

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

Morgan Domenick | mbdomenick@arizona.edu

Open Date

9/10/2024

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please submit Resume, Cover Letter, and the answers to the following questions as the Additional Document. Thank You.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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