Director of Communications

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement, the Director of Communications assists 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. The Director manages the internship program for the communications section and support the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with department budget, specifically items related to technology upgrades and student staffing.

Essential Functions

• Interviews and hires students for the internship program within the communications section. Mentors undergraduate students to foster and encourage academic success, campus engagement, personal growth and professional development. Encourages the students 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. Evaluates progress of the student within their field.
• In collaboration with the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement, plans, coordinates, and directs media and public relations activities including, but not limited to: establishing image and branding mechanisms; interaction with and building and/or re-establishing 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 and publicity campaigns; 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. Serves as the primary media contact for all day-to-day public relations activities for sport programs as assigned.
• Supports the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with department budget – specifically items related to technology upgrades and student-staffing. Assists Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with relationship management of third-party website and graphic design partners. Serves as communication staff liaison to third-party media and marketing rights partner and helps support the groups’ revenue and engagement goals.
• Serves as the primary media relations contact for assigned sport programs, including men's basketball and a combination of Olympic Sports. Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining roster and biography information; scheduling interviews and media opportunities; planning, maintaining, and creating content for sport-specific social media platforms; supervising and staffing home events to assist with oversight of media work areas and media members, game operations and accurate statistics data; dispersing relevant and accurate information to coaches, opponents and media members prior to and after each competition; and organizing and archiving photography images.
• Maintains 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. Writes and disseminates 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.
• Establishes and maintains 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 coaches, student athletes, and/or programs. Creates, prepares, and dispenses 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.
• Serves 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 requested information. Develops and manages dynamic strategies to communicate with fans, donors and other stakeholders, utilizing web, digital and social media channels.

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement, the Director of Communications assists 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. The Director manages the internship program for the communications section and support the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with department budget, specifically items related to technology upgrades and student staffing.

Essential Functions

• Interviews and hires students for the internship program within the communications section. Mentors undergraduate students to foster and encourage academic success, campus engagement, personal growth and professional development. Encourages the students 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. Evaluates progress of the student within their field.
• In collaboration with the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement, plans, coordinates, and directs media and public relations activities including, but not limited to: establishing image and branding mechanisms; interaction with and building and/or re-establishing 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 and publicity campaigns; 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. Serves as the primary media contact for all day-to-day public relations activities for sport programs as assigned.
• Supports the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with department budget – specifically items related to technology upgrades and student-staffing. Assists Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Brand Advancement with relationship management of third-party website and graphic design partners. Serves as communication staff liaison to third-party media and marketing rights partner and helps support the groups’ revenue and engagement goals.
• Serves as the primary media relations contact for assigned sport programs, including men's basketball and a combination of Olympic Sports. Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining roster and biography information; scheduling interviews and media opportunities; planning, maintaining, and creating content for sport-specific social media platforms; supervising and staffing home events to assist with oversight of media work areas and media members, game operations and accurate statistics data; dispersing relevant and accurate information to coaches, opponents and media members prior to and after each competition; and organizing and archiving photography images.
• Maintains 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. Writes and disseminates 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.
• Establishes and maintains 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 coaches, student athletes, and/or programs. Creates, prepares, and dispenses 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.
• Serves 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 requested information. Develops and manages dynamic strategies to communicate with fans, donors and other stakeholders, utilizing web, digital and social media channels.
• Interacts with campus officials, athletics administrators and staff, coaches, student athletes, media members, department constituents, alumni, and spectators.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required.
• Four years of experience in an NCAA Division I communications/sports information/media relations office, or comparable experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of PC and Apple computers.
• Advanced knowledge and skills using desktop publishing, digital media and graphic design, social media platforms, and StatCrew and software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management and customer service skills, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• 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)

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Communications, English, Sports Management or similar fields.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment activity.

Work Schedule

Varied schedule based on the demands of the position. Nights, weekends and holidays are required.

Salary Information

Salary Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

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

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

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