Executive Associate Athletics Director, Strategic & Football Communications

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Athletics Director, with an indirect reporting line to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Strategy & Initiatives, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Strategic & Football Communications serves as the department’s chief communications and public relations executive. This role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all internal and external communications across UCLA’s 25 intercollegiate programs, shaping and protecting the UCLA Athletics brand while aligning all messaging with institutional values, departmental goals and competitive priorities. This position serves as the primary communications executive for UCLA Football, acting as the lead public relations strategist, external spokesperson, and Sports Information Director (SID). In this capacity, the Executive Associate AD oversees all football media relations, public messaging, storytelling, and game-day and postseason communications operations. The role also provides executive oversight of the communications teams serving Men’s and Women’s Basketball and the 20+ Olympic Sports, ensuring each program receives tailored, high-quality support that elevates visibility, strengthens recruiting efforts and enhances national reputation. As leader of a comprehensive communications unit, this executive oversees staff supervision, workload distribution, performance management, professional development and editorial standards. The position is responsible for executive communications for the Athletics Director and head coaches; coordination of institutional messaging with university leadership; oversight of high-profile and sensitive media inquiries related to NCAA compliance, NIL, litigation or student-athlete welfare; and the direction of crisis communications and issues management. The Executive Associate AD ensures that departmental messaging is proactive, strategic, and unified across digital, social, written and media platforms.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in athletic communications, media relations, or strategic PR, preferably within a NCAA Division I athletics department or professional sports organization. (Required)
  • Demonstrated experience serving as a primary spokesperson for a complex, high-profile organization, including the ability to deliver clear, compelling messaging in high-stakes or rapidly evolving situations. (Required)
  • Expertise in executive communications, including message development, speechwriting, and strategic positioning for senior leaders, head coaches and high-visibility institutional initiatives. (Required)
  • Superior public relations skills, including outstanding interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference and NCAA officials. (Required)
  • Deep understanding of the college athletics media landscape, including digital media, crisis communications and brand management. (Required)
  • Proven leadership in managing large teams across multiple sports and competing priorities; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people including various stakeholders of the program and institution. (Required)

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Athletics Director, with an indirect reporting line to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Strategy & Initiatives, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Strategic & Football Communications serves as the department’s chief communications and public relations executive. This role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all internal and external communications across UCLA’s 25 intercollegiate programs, shaping and protecting the UCLA Athletics brand while aligning all messaging with institutional values, departmental goals and competitive priorities. This position serves as the primary communications executive for UCLA Football, acting as the lead public relations strategist, external spokesperson, and Sports Information Director (SID). In this capacity, the Executive Associate AD oversees all football media relations, public messaging, storytelling, and game-day and postseason communications operations. The role also provides executive oversight of the communications teams serving Men’s and Women’s Basketball and the 20+ Olympic Sports, ensuring each program receives tailored, high-quality support that elevates visibility, strengthens recruiting efforts and enhances national reputation. As leader of a comprehensive communications unit, this executive oversees staff supervision, workload distribution, performance management, professional development and editorial standards. The position is responsible for executive communications for the Athletics Director and head coaches; coordination of institutional messaging with university leadership; oversight of high-profile and sensitive media inquiries related to NCAA compliance, NIL, litigation or student-athlete welfare; and the direction of crisis communications and issues management. The Executive Associate AD ensures that departmental messaging is proactive, strategic, and unified across digital, social, written and media platforms.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in athletic communications, media relations, or strategic PR, preferably within a NCAA Division I athletics department or professional sports organization. (Required)
  • Demonstrated experience serving as a primary spokesperson for a complex, high-profile organization, including the ability to deliver clear, compelling messaging in high-stakes or rapidly evolving situations. (Required)
  • Expertise in executive communications, including message development, speechwriting, and strategic positioning for senior leaders, head coaches and high-visibility institutional initiatives. (Required)
  • Superior public relations skills, including outstanding interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference and NCAA officials. (Required)
  • Deep understanding of the college athletics media landscape, including digital media, crisis communications and brand management. (Required)
  • Proven leadership in managing large teams across multiple sports and competing priorities; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people including various stakeholders of the program and institution. (Required)
  • Experience in overseeing communications strategies for high-profile sports like Football and Basketball. (Required)
  • Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for brand tone and storytelling. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential information/material with discretion. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to perform under stress and maintain composure in the face of resistance, indifference and hostility. (Required)
  • Proficiency in media training for coaches, staff, and student-athletes, with the ability to prepare individuals for press conferences, interviews, crisis situations, and national media exposure. (Required)
  • Ability to comply with department, University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience & training required. (Required)
  • Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
  • Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
  • CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".
  • 20% Ability to travel for position tasks & duties as needed.

Schedule

Variable
Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered
Complete Position Description

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