Assistant Director for Communication

Job Summary

Under the administrative direction of the Associate Athletic Director for Communications, the Assistant Director for Communications and Digital Content serves as the primary communications contact for assigned varsity sports and leads departmental social media and digital content initiatives. Responsibilities include media relations, website management for assigned sports, content creation, digital storytelling, social media strategy, gameday communications operations, and brand enhancement efforts across Chicago State Athletics platforms. This position works collaboratively within the External Operations Unit and partners closely with coaches, administrators, and external relations staff to elevate the visibility, engagement, and overall brand presence of Chicago State Athletics.

Job Description

DIGITAL CONTENT & SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY – 40%
Lead departmental digital storytelling and social media initiatives designed to enhance audience growth, fan engagement, and brand visibility across Chicago State Athletics platforms.
• Develop and execute departmental social media strategies and digital campaigns across athletics platforms.
• Produce engaging short-form and digital-first content including video, photography, graphics, and written storytelling content.
• Capture in-game, practice, travel, community engagement, and behind-the-scenes content for departmental distribution.
• Assist in developing and maintaining departmental content calendars and campaign schedules.
Updated October 2024
• Monitor analytics, engagement trends, and platform performance to support audience growth and strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with coaches, administrators, and members of the External Operations Unit to support storytelling, recruiting visibility, fan engagement, and departmental branding initiatives.
• Stay current with emerging social media trends, creative strategies, and industry best practices to support innovative content development.

CREATIVE CONTENT & DESIGN – 20%
Produce creative visual and multimedia content that supports departmental branding, recruiting visibility, fan engagement, and digital communications efforts.
• Design and execute digital graphics, promotional materials, social media assets, and multimedia campaigns for assigned sports and departmental initiatives.
• Utilize Adobe Creative Suite, BoxOut, and related creative platforms to develop visual and video content aligned with departmental branding standards.
• Produce multimedia content including graphics, motion graphics, photography, highlight videos, and short-form video for use across social media, website, video board, print, and recruiting platforms.
• Maintain consistency in visual identity, messaging, and departmental brand standards across athletics communications platforms.

SPORT COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA RELATIONS – 20%
Serve as the primary communications contact for assigned varsity sports while supporting departmental media relations, publicity, and storytelling initiatives.
• Coordinate publicity, media relations, interview requests, and communications efforts for assigned varsity sports.
• Develop and implement creative media and public relations strategies for assigned sports while providing oversight and coordination of departmental social media presence and branding standards across athletics platforms.
• Produce written editorial content for GoCSUCougars.com, game programs, digital publications, and departmental materials.
• Manage and maintain assigned sport and departmental website content through SIDEARM Sports, including stories, statistics, schedules, records, historical information, and digital presentation initiatives.

GAMEDAY & EVENT OPERATIONS – 10%
Support communications and media operations for home athletic events and designated departmental functions.
• Coordinate media operations and communications coverage for assigned home athletic events, including credential distribution, press area management, and gameday communications support.
Updated October 2024
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor student workers, interns, and gameday communications staff.
• Coordinate execution of gameday scripts, public address reads, and promotional elements in collaboration with athletics administration partners.
• Assist with scoreboard operations, live statistics, and media table operations at designated events.
• Attend all home and select away events to support communications and content initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

STATISTICS & RECORDS – 10%
• Manage and distribute live statistics and StatCrew/Genius files for assigned athletic events, including soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball.
• Maintain statistics, historical records, and record books for assigned varsity sports and designated Olympic sports programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of two years of experience in athletics communications, digital media, social media, or related communications fields, preferably in collegiate athletics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Prior NCAA Division I athletics experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite including Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and related digital content creation platforms.
   
2. Knowledge of social media strategy, audience engagement, analytics, content publishing tools, and emerging digital trends.
   
3. Experience producing digital content including photography, video, graphics, live social media coverage, and written storytelling content.
   
4. Knowledge of athletics communications, media relations, website management, and multimedia storytelling techniques.
   
5. Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and brand consistency.
   
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, web editing platforms, and content management systems.
   
7. Demonstrated organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
   
8. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse campus and athletics community.
   
9. Experience recruiting, supervising, and mentoring interns and/or student employees preferred.
   
10. Working knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations, along with a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, inclusion, and continuous professional development.
    
11. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with University vehicle use policies.

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

1. Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.
   
2. Ability to work prolonged periods at a computer and at athletic events.
   
3. Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/move equipment and materials up to 30 pounds.
   
4. Ability to travel and work evenings, weekends, holidays, and designated University events.

Work Environment

Indoor and outdoor working environments in varying weather conditions.
• Extensive evening, weekend, holiday, and travel responsibilities associated with Division I athletics communications and event coverage.
• Travel to designated away athletic events required.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents 1. Resume 2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

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