Director of Athletics Communications Strategy

EXPIRED

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date

10/27/2025

Closing date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Position Number

1129469

View Full Description

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date

10/27/2025

Closing date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Position Number

1129469

Position Title

Director of Athletics Communications Strategy

Hiring Range Minimum

Please Inquire

Hiring Range Maximum

Please Inquire

Union Type

Not a Union Position

SEIU Level

Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Category

Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year

12

Scheduled Hours per Week

40

Schedule

Location of Position

Hanover, NH

Remote Work Eligibility?

Onsite only

Is this a term position?

No

If yes, length of term in months.

N/A

Is this a grant funded position?

No

Position Purpose

To develop and execute the strategic communications goals of Dartmouth’s Department of Athletics and Recreation (DCARD) to promote the Department’s ongoing strategic initiatives and priorities to internal and external constituents. Serve as the chief storyteller for the Director of Athletics and Recreation, managing and responding to all inbound communication the office receives.

Description

Are you a dynamic, strategic PR professional eager to elevate a leading institution’s reputation and brand presence while communicating goals, priorities and wins to staff, campus partners and key stakeholders? Dartmouth College Athletics and Recreation Department (DCARD) is seeking an innovative Communications Strategist to be a thought partner to leadership and deliver high-impact messaging initiatives. This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and amplify DCARD’s narrative both regionally and nationally, aligning with Dartmouth’s commitment to excellence in health, wellbeing, and performance. 

 

As the in-house strategic communications expert, you will design and execute integrated PR plans that drive cohesive storytelling across internal and external audiences. You’ll play a key role in managing the media presence and brand reputation of the Director of Athletics and Recreation, as well as the Department, by crafting compelling content focused on the strategic priorities—from engaging media campaigns to persuasive media pitches, news releases, and feature stories. Collaborating closely with the communications team and campus partners, you’ll ensure consistent messaging that resonates with diverse constituents and advances Dartmouth’s broader goals. 

 

Your responsibilities will extend to proactive reputation management, identifying timely opportunities for DCARD senior leadership, coaches and staff to share their insights through media interviews, op-eds, and public speaking engagements. You’ll also manage issues and crisis communications, protecting and enhancing Dartmouth’s trusted brand. 

 

Must have experience in strategic development of PR planning and execution, speech writing and training, success in where and how to message effectively, strong written and verbal skills. Requires the ability to engage, collaborate and coordinate with multiple stakeholders across campus and beyond. 

 

Join DCARD as the strategic communications expert where creativity, partnership, and data-driven insights fuel continuous improvement and impactful narratives. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about storytelling that shapes public perception, this role is your gateway to making a meaningful contribution to an iconic institution’s legacy. 

 

Athletics Builds Competitors Striving for Excellence in Life | Dartmouth 

Dartmouth’s Mike Harrity on College Athletics | Bloomberg 

Mike Harrity Appointed to NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee | Dartmouth College Athletics 

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• At least seven years of experience in a communications or public relations department, preferably in a college/university environment, or the equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related area.
• Ability to identify business and strategy goals and execute high-quality projects on time.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and with initiative, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing and growing a brand’s presence on various social media platforms.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Claire VeNard

Department Contact Phone Number

claire.g.venard@dartmouth.edu

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation

Department Contact's Phone Number

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Not an essential function

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.e...

Additional Instructions

Please upload a list of references under Additional Documents.

Quick Link

https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/post...

Key Accountabilities

| Description |
Communications Strategy

• Develop and execute communications strategies for external and internal constituent communication that align with DCARD’s strategic priorities, as defined by the Director of Athletics and Recreation.
• Manage Director of Athletics and Recreations media and brand presence and strategic messaging and create and/or direct the creation of innovative and captivating content to drive strategic narratives.
• Work alongside the communications team to help guide strategic messaging for DCARD.
• Monitor and track communication efforts, compiling data and analytics reports and insights to support continuous improvement, including weekly media reports for senior leadership.
• Serve as departmental liaison with all college publication & communication offices and supports broader communications initiatives that advance Dartmouth’s reputation and showcase its impact on health, wellbeing and performance.
• Create media plans with defined communications goals and success metrics, create and/or oversee the creation of engaging social media content, write news releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, and FAQs.
• Responsible for the development, editing, and distribution of all media releases, feature stories, and new hire announcements. Developing concepts and assigning material to staff and freelancers as appropriate.
• Proactively identify and secure opportunities for DCARD coaches and staff to share their expertise on timely issues and topics relevant to the institution’s key audiences and the public, including media interviews, op-eds, guest appearances, and speaking engagements.
• Enhance regional and national media exposure.

| | Percentage Of Time | 60% |

| Description |
Issues Management

• At the direction of the Director of Athletics and Recreation and/or Office of Communications leadership, support DCARD-related issues management, crisis and emergency communications.
• Draft social media content, media statements, FAQs, talking points, and/or community messages.
• Monitor media coverage and track media requests for Director of Athletics and Recreation.
• As assigned, handle confidential, sensitive information, exercise excellent professional judgment and discretion, and interact appropriately with Dartmouth constituencies, including senior administrative officers.

| | Percentage Of Time | 20% |

| Description |
Administration

• Partner with the Director of Athletics and Recreation’s Office team to coordinate the efficient and smooth operation of the office; prioritize workflow and efficiency to maximize use of the Director of Athletics and Recreation’s time.
• Compile, screen, and prioritize the Director of Athletics and Recreation’s mail for daily review; manage follow up and maintain correspondence files.
• Respond to email and other correspondence on behalf of the Director of Athletics and Recreation and draft responses on complex matters as appropriate.

| | Percentage Of Time | 20% |

| -- | Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others. | | -- | Performs other duties as assigned. |

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you learn about this employment opportunity?

   • Current Dartmouth employee (Please specify full name below)
   • Word of mouth
   • Mentioned on social, digital, or print media (e.g. LinkedIn feed, VOX, Valley News, listserv)
   • jobs@dartmouth.edu email outreach (includes Job Alert notifications, marketing emails from Talent Acquisition)
   • Recruiter (Please specify full name or event below)
   • abilityJOBS
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Glassdoor
   • Handshake
   • HigherEdJobs
   • HigherEdMilitary
   • Indeed
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • LinkedIn’s Job Board
   • RecruitMilitary
   • Dartmouth’s Job Board (searchjobs.dartmouth.edu)
   • Other (Please specify below)

2. If you selected “other” above, please indicate where you first heard about the opportunity:

   • NCAA Marketplace
   • DI Ticker/CollegeSports.com
   • Collegiate Sports Connect/csconnect.live
   • NACDA
   • Women Leaders in Sports
   • College Sports Communications
   • Intercollegiate/WinAD

3. (Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents 1. Cover Letter 2. Resume

Optional Documents 1. Additional Document #1 2. Additional Document #2

Apply Now

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