Assistant Director of Athletic Communications (Job 26014)

Department: Athletics
Reports To: Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

Catawba College seeks an energetic, creative, and highly organized professional to serve as Assistant Director for Athletic Communications. This position is responsible for promoting and enhancing the visibility of Catawba Athletics through strategic communications, media relations, digital content, statistical reporting, and storytelling while supporting the College's mission of providing an exceptional student-athlete experience.

The Assistant Director will serve as the primary communications contact for assigned varsity sports while assisting with the overall operation of the Athletic Communications Office. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with coaches, administrators, marketing, creative services, broadcasting, and campus communications to elevate the Catawba Athletics brand locally, regionally, and nationally.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Athletic Communications

• Serve as the primary athletic communications contact for assigned NCAA Division II varsity sports.
• Write and distribute game previews, recaps, feature stories, season outlooks, and press releases.
• Maintain accurate and timely information on the official athletics website.

Department: Athletics
Reports To: Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

Catawba College seeks an energetic, creative, and highly organized professional to serve as Assistant Director for Athletic Communications. This position is responsible for promoting and enhancing the visibility of Catawba Athletics through strategic communications, media relations, digital content, statistical reporting, and storytelling while supporting the College's mission of providing an exceptional student-athlete experience.

The Assistant Director will serve as the primary communications contact for assigned varsity sports while assisting with the overall operation of the Athletic Communications Office. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with coaches, administrators, marketing, creative services, broadcasting, and campus communications to elevate the Catawba Athletics brand locally, regionally, and nationally.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Athletic Communications

• Serve as the primary athletic communications contact for assigned NCAA Division II varsity sports.
• Write and distribute game previews, recaps, feature stories, season outlooks, and press releases.
• Maintain accurate and timely information on the official athletics website.
• Coordinate statistical operations and live scoring for assigned home contests.
• Produce game notes, media guides, record books, postseason materials, and championship submissions.
• Nominate student-athletes and coaches for conference, regional, and national awards.
• Maintain historical records and statistical archives for assigned sports.
• Assist with NCAA and South Atlantic Conference reporting requirements.

Media Relations

• Develop positive working relationships with local, regional, and national media.
• Coordinate interviews and media requests involving student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
• Manage press box and media operations for assigned events.
• Prepare and distribute media credentials and press materials.

Digital Communications

• Assist in developing and executing the department's digital communications strategy.
• Collaborate with Creative Services to create engaging content for social media and digital platforms.
• Promote student-athlete achievements, academic success, community engagement, and department initiatives.
• Monitor analytics and identify opportunities to increase fan engagement and brand awareness.

Event Operations

• Help coordinate athletic communications coverage for home competitions.
• Collaborate with game-day statistics crews, student assistants, photographers, and media personnel.
• Ensure accurate NCAA statistical reporting and timely dissemination of results.
• Assist with conference and NCAA championship hosting responsibilities.

Leadership and Administration

• Assist the Associate Athletic Director and Assistant Athletic Director in planning and managing departmental priorities.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor student workers and interns.
• Develop efficient workflows and best practices for athletic communications operations.
• Serve on departmental committees and represent Athletics at campus events as assigned.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives that enhance the visibility and reputation of Catawba Athletics.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Athletics or Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Communications.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Sports Management, Public Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletic communications or sports information.
• Demonstrated proficiency with NCAA Live Stats, StatCrew, Genius Sports, or similar statistical software.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing athletics websites and digital content.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred

• Experience in NCAA Division II athletics.
• Knowledge of South Atlantic Conference and NCAA policies.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, SIDEARM Sports CMS, social media management platforms, and photography.
• Experience supervising student employees or interns.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to customer service.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Passion for promoting student-athlete success through compelling storytelling.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the educational mission of Catawba College.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants shall submit the following materials, in a single file, pdf version only, to employment@catawba.edu, kgrice@catawba.edu, and dmincey@catawba.edu: 

• A short letter of interest;
• Resume; and
• Contact information for three (3) professional references.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Kyle Grice and Dajah Mincey with any questions about this position.

ABOUT CATAWBA:

Founded in 1851 in Newton, North Carolina, Catawba was started by German pioneers who had traveled from eastern Pennsylvania to settle in the valleys of the Haw, Yadkin, and Catawba Rivers. In 1890, Catawba became a coeducational institution and the first woman graduate completed her studies in 1893. In 1925, Catawba moved and re-opened to its current location in Salisbury, NC, which is about 45 minutes from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte, two hours from the mountains, and four hours from the beaches. 

Today, Catawba College has 41 buildings on 276 wooded acres on a residential campus. Catawba is known for its 189 acre on-campus ecological preserve. Ranked as one of the best colleges in the south, Catawba offers 70 academic majors to approximately 1,300 students representing 34 U.S. states and 19 foreign countries. Students are instructed by nearly 90 full-time faculty, more than 83% of whom hold the highest degree in their field. 

Catawba provides an education focused on an institutional philosophy of a liberal education, which entails a broad range of knowledge, intellectual and practical skills, and individual and social responsibility fostered and developed in all academic programs. Catawba is a learning community that provides students unique opportunities to explore vocation, helping students to consider their calling, their passions, and their purpose as they prepare to reach their highest potential. Catawba’s mission is to provide “students an education rich in personal attention that blends the knowledge and competencies of liberal studies with career preparation” and to enable “students to reach their highest potential while becoming responsible citizens.” More information about Catawba College is located at catawba.edu.

Catawba College is an equal-opportunity employer. As such, the College is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, unless allowed by law and deemed necessary to the operation of the College. The College complies with all federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws.

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