Athletics Communications Assistant (Part-Time/Term)

EXPIRED

As a member of Vanderbilt’s athletic communications staff, the primary responsibility and focus of the Athletics Communications Assistant will be to tell and share the compelling story of Vanderbilt’s athletics programs. This position will also support all communications activities for Vanderbilt Athletics.

This role is an excellent opportunity to experience various aspects of athletics communications—including planning, content creation, social media, historical archiving and media relations—in a real-world setting. The Athletics Communications Assistant can expect to gain experience writing for various digital and social media channels.  This position is classified as a part-time, term role*, and will serve for a 6-month term period.

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and collaborative group. The division serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing, and executing strategies that inform, engage, and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for the mission-based work of the university, providing comprehensive communications and marketing plans and thoughtful analysis of messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team delivers impactful marketing and communications results across key audiences to serve the larger mission, values, and priorities of the university.

_ *NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends. _

As a member of Vanderbilt’s athletic communications staff, the primary responsibility and focus of the Athletics Communications Assistant will be to tell and share the compelling story of Vanderbilt’s athletics programs. This position will also support all communications activities for Vanderbilt Athletics.

This role is an excellent opportunity to experience various aspects of athletics communications—including planning, content creation, social media, historical archiving and media relations—in a real-world setting. The Athletics Communications Assistant can expect to gain experience writing for various digital and social media channels.  This position is classified as a part-time, term role*, and will serve for a 6-month term period.

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and collaborative group. The division serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing, and executing strategies that inform, engage, and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for the mission-based work of the university, providing comprehensive communications and marketing plans and thoughtful analysis of messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team delivers impactful marketing and communications results across key audiences to serve the larger mission, values, and priorities of the university.

_ *NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends. _

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop and implement internal and external communications tactics for assigned programs in alignment with the overarching strategy for Vanderbilt Athletics and with the university’s mission and strategy.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Vanderbilt Athletics coaches and staff, as well as Communications and Marketing colleagues to develop multimedia communications tactics that advance Vanderbilt’s Strategic Plan for Athletics.
• Advise Vanderbilt Athletics coaches and administrators on communications opportunities.
• Incorporate key messaging into content and storytelling through a proactive approach and digital-forward mindset.
• Creates press releases which includes previews, recaps, awards, miscellaneous updates and features.
• Maintain social media of assigned sports including content creation and posting.
• Connect with local media pitching stories and coordinating interviews.
• Creates and sends reports to SEC office (including weekly and postseason award nominations).
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of roster and bio information for student-athletes and coaches.
• Manage the game schedule and team roster on the website.
• Responsible for the management of home events.
• Respond to opposing school, SEC and NCAA requests for materials such as sending rosters, statistics, logos, pictures, etc., in advance of contests and championships.
• Send official results to opposing schools, and SEC and NCAA if required for the sport.
• Write and edit various communications materials in coordination with the Editorial Strategy team, such as student-athlete bios, press releases and feature stories for the Vanderbilt Athletics website conveying the voice of the coach, student-athletes and the program.
• Plan and maintain editorial calendars and maintain social media accounts for assigned varsity sport programs.
• Manage current and historical team information (rosters, statistics, record, photos, videos) of assigned sports.
• Coordinate execution of all communications tactics as project manager, to ensure efforts are coordinated and messaging is consistent across channels.
• Assist the Visual Media team with coordination, story development and production, and guide messaging.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Communications and Marketing colleagues to create and design artwork, graphics and content for a variety of platforms.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with local, regional and national media covering Vanderbilt Athletics.
• Facilitate interviews and initiate media coverage by preparing logistics, materials and talking points.
• Coordinate resolution of project challenges by communicating effectively and professionally to leaders and colleagues across the division.
• Monitor and report out project performance metrics and results internally and to key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate understanding of the university’s mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences—including coaches, students, leadership, staff, alumni, suppliers and agencies.
• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with quick turn-around requirements.
• Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrates outstanding judgment and discretion.
• Work outside regular business hours as needed in order to perform job responsibilities, including being officially on-call.
• Travel with varsity athletic teams as needed.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including research, fact-checking, and editing.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, ability to multi-task and handle shifting priorities.
• Quick decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using content management systems to update and edit websites.
• Fluency with social media and web content.
• Ability to function as a team member to fulfill team objectives while working collaboratively with the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and collaborate with others to generate and implement ideas.
• Demonstrated understanding of the university’s mission, values, goals and priorities.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.