Athletic Communications Assistant

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title

Athletic Communications Assistant

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

The Athletic Communications office is the most public element of the University’s Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA) and its 33 varsity programs and is charged with the goal of positively promoting the University’s nearly 1,000 student-athletes and more than 200 coaches, staff and athletic administrators

Job Description

Responsibilities

Primary media contact for varsity sports

Basically the front porch for the programs with which he/she works, as all external publicity for the programs comes from this office; coordinates and oversees all media-related responsibilities for his/her teams (primarily interviews with coaches and team members); oversees all elements of Penn website, PennAthletics.com, related to teams (game previews/recaps, roster/schedule management, features for video); social media as necessary (see below); travels as necessary (see below); record keeper and archivist; works closely with his/her respective coaching staffs to provide the best information and most positive promotion of each program for all constituents including fans, alums, parents, recruits and their parents, and donors.

Social media

Penn Athletics has Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts, and the Athletic Communications office has sole propriety over their usage so the Associate Director does a lot of work posting on all of them. The AC office also has access to all team-related accounts—all varsity sports have Twitter, and many have Instagram and Facebook—and so the Associate Director also handles social media elements for his/her sports as necessary (in-game updates, pushing published stories, creative content, etc.).

Coordinate game-day activities

Handles media requests including setting up parking and credentials (primarily for women’s basketball); does in-game stats (except for WBB); coordinates post-game interviews between on-site media and Penn players/coaches and visiting players/coaches as necessary.

Statistical support

Handles all statistics for his/her sports and properly archives and publishes (website, etc.); keeps up with record books

Supporting outside DRIA departmental needs (development, marketing)

Among other things, this person coordinates with marketing and graphic design to promote ticket events, ticket sales, student outreach through website and social media for his/her assigned sports; coordinate media or website/social media coverage of Athletics-related development events, especially related to his/her sports; make sure ESPN+ and their personnel are taken care of for broadcasts of his/her sports; works with JMI to make sure the right ads are in the right places in our publications, and that sponsorship ties are being done; and coordinates with facilities/operations for game-day operations of his/her sports (game-day parking for media, credentialing, TV/radio needs are being met, etc.).

Travel with teams

Travels with their sports when necessary (postseason, etc.).

Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree is required. Must possess good written, interpersonal and computer skills and the ability to learn stat programs. Time management skills are essential as the candidate will be asked to multi-task on a daily basis. Compliance with all Ivy League/NCAA rules and regulations required. Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays as well as travel with teams as required. Valid driver’s license required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$7.25 - $15.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.