Sr. Assoc Director for Athletics - Media Relations and External Operations

Position Information

 

Job Type/Hours per Week

Full-time/40 Hours per Week

Salary

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Hiring Department

Athletics

Location

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Position Information

 

Job Type/Hours per Week

Full-time/40 Hours per Week

Salary

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Hiring Department

Athletics

Location

UT Tyler; Tyler, Texas

This position is not eligible for remote work.

 

Required Application Materials

A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.

 

Important Instructions: **   **

When prompted to upload your “resume”, upload your combined documents as one file.

• Please do not upload documents to “Cover Letter” or “References”.

 

If the required application materials were not uploaded at the “resume” prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.

 

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director for Athletics – External Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing strategies that enhance the visibility, reputation, and revenue of the athletics department. This position oversees fan engagement, media relations, community outreach, and corporate partnership initiatives to strengthen relationships with stakeholders and drive brand growth and community support.

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

Fan Engagement & Game Experience

• Develop and implement comprehensive fan engagement strategies to increase attendance, loyalty, and overall game-day experience.
• Oversee in-game promotions, digital engagement campaigns, and fan-focused events.
• Analyze fan data and trends to improve engagement initiatives and maximize audience reach.
• Collaborate with department and coaching staffs to enhance customer experience and retention.

Media Relations & Communications

• Direct all athletics media relations strategies, including press releases, media outreach, and storytelling.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the athletics department and local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Oversee crisis communication planning and execution in partnership with UT Tyler strategic communications/media relations team.
• Collaborate with UT Tyler marketing and communications team and UT System Office of Trademark and Licensing to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all external communication channels.
• Proactively manage athletics website as an informational and storytelling hub for fans, media, prospective student-athletes, parents, community and other audiences.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Lead community relations efforts, including partnerships with local organizations, schools, and non-profits.
• Develop programs that position the athletics department as a positive and active community partner.
• Coordinate student-athlete involvement in community service and outreach initiatives.
• Represent the athletics department at community events and public forums.

Corporate Sponsorship & Partnership Support

• Support the development and activation of corporate sponsorship agreements.
• Collaborate with corporate partners to deliver high-value engagement opportunities and ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations.
• Assist in identifying new business opportunities to increase sponsorship revenue.
• Work closely with development and external relations teams to align sponsorship and fundraising efforts.

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Provide leadership and supervision to external operations staff, including marketing, communications, and community relations teams.
• Develop and manage budgets for external operations functions.
• Establish measurable goals and performance metrics to evaluate success.
• Collaborate with internal departments to align external operations strategies with overall athletics and university goals.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field.

• Five (5) years of progressive experience in athletics administration, media relations, marketing, or external operations.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in collegiate athletics or professional sports environment.

• May accept a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in a related field.

• Experience working within NCAA Division II athletics.

• Knowledge of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) implications and partnerships.

• Familiarity with digital media platforms, design platforms, ticketing and CRM systems.

 

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Proven track record in fan engagement, branding, and revenue generation.

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with media, sponsors, and community stakeholders.

• Experience managing teams and cross-functional collaboration.

• High level of professionalism, integrity, and decision-making capability.

About The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Tyler Health Science Center

The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 14 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges. 

Designated an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UT Tyler supports our surrounding region through innovation intended to uplift communities, spearhead sustainability initiatives, preserve ecosystems and support entrepreneurship. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas.

Providing exceptional patient care, comprehensive education and innovative research, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas combine to serve as the university medical center for Northeast Texas and beyond.

For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about.

 

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. 

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

For more information regarding benefits offered by UT Tyler, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/offices/human-resources/employees/benefits. 

 

EEO Statement

The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 

 

 

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