Associate Director of Communications

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 Director of Communications under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Broadcasting. Assist with the department’s promotional and public relations 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 UMass Athletics. Manage the internship program for the communications section.

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 Director of Communications under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Broadcasting. Assist with the department’s promotional and public relations 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 UMass Athletics. Manage the internship program for the communications section.

Essential Functions

• Interview and hire students for the internship program within the communications section. Mentor undergraduate students to foster and encourage academic success, campus engagement, personal growth and professional development. Encourage the student to explore education and career development and learn new skills and professional development as it relates to public relations, writing and/or content creation for website and social media use via the adobe creative suite and additional platforms. Evaluate progress of the student within their field.
• Assist the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Broadcasting 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; keeping abreast of current trends and developments in the field through social media platforms, publications, seminars, conferences and peer group associations; preparing and dispersing media materials; coordinating and activating gameday and special event operations; coordinating coach and student-athlete nominations for University, NCAA, conference, national and state awards; coordinating, preparing for and administering press conferences and interviews; maintaining and creating editorial content for UMassAthletics.com, the official department website, and other department digital and printed publications, including social media platforms; conceptualizing and organizing photography efforts; maintaining statistics and records. Serve as the primary media contact for all day-to-day public relations activities for sport programs as assigned.
• Serve as the primary media relations contact for sport programs as assigned including women’s basketball. Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, roster and biography maintenance ensuring information is up to date, 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 accurate statistics data, disperse relevant and accurate information to coaches, opponents and media members prior to and after each competition and organize and archive photography images. Travel to select road events.
• Maintain daily contact with coaches, student-athletes and athletic staff in an effort to generate potential human interest and feature stories that will enhance the University and UMass Athletics’ image and brand. Write and disseminate 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. Excellence in managing deadlines and providing customer service to all external entities upon request.
• 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. Create, prepare and dispense 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.
• Serve as a liaison for assigned sport programs between the athletic department and media members and outlets, general public and University community while establishing personal contacts and providing information as requested. Develop and manage dynamic strategies to communicate with fans, donors and other stakeholders, utilizing web, digital and social media channels.
• Interact with campus officials, athletics administrators and staff, coaches, student-athletes, media members, department constituents, alumni and spectators.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two years of experience in an NCAA Division I communications/sports information/media relations office, or comparable experience.
• Advanced knowledge of PC and Apple computers.
• Advanced knowledge and skills using desktop publishing, digital media and graphic design, social media platforms, and StatCrew/NCAA Live Stats and software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Working knowledge of and strict adherence to NCAA, conference(s) and University policies, rules and regulations.

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

Degree concentration in Communications, English, Sports Management or similar field.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment activity.
• Occasional travel required.

Work Schedule

• Full time (37.5 hours/week).
• Varied schedule based on the demands of the position. Nights, weekends and holidays are required.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination 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 UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.