Director of Athletic Communications

EXPIRED

Position Overview
Franklin Pierce University, an NCAA Division II institution with 22 varsity sports primarily competing in the Northeast-10 Conference and women's ice hockey competing at the NCAA Division I level in the NEWHA conference, is searching for a Director of Athletic Communications. The successful candidate will oversee the Sports Information Office, developing and implementing communication strategies to recognize and promote the achievements of our teams, student-athletes, and staff.

Key Responsibilities
General Responsibilities : - Event Promotion: Coordinate the promotion of athletic events on campus and in the community through social media, game day releases, and media outlets. - Content Creation: Create written and graphical content celebrating student-athlete, coach, and staff achievements, including fact books, game notes, press releases, social media content, and graphics.

Position Overview
Franklin Pierce University, an NCAA Division II institution with 22 varsity sports primarily competing in the Northeast-10 Conference and women's ice hockey competing at the NCAA Division I level in the NEWHA conference, is searching for a Director of Athletic Communications. The successful candidate will oversee the Sports Information Office, developing and implementing communication strategies to recognize and promote the achievements of our teams, student-athletes, and staff.

Key Responsibilities
General Responsibilities : - Event Promotion: Coordinate the promotion of athletic events on campus and in the community through social media, game day releases, and media outlets. - Content Creation: Create written and graphical content celebrating student-athlete, coach, and staff achievements, including fact books, game notes, press releases, social media content, and graphics. Apply Now

- Record Maintenance: Organize and maintain all permanent records in Raven athletics, including rosters, contest results, relevant statistics, and national and regional polls. - Website Management: Oversee all aspects of the athletics website, ensuring design accuracy, timely updates, and engaging content. - Social Media Management: Develop and update creative content for social media, ensuring consistent branding that follows university guidelines. - Award Nominations: Collaborate with athletic administrators on nominating student-athletes for various academic and athletic awards. - Photography Coordination: Schedule headshots and team pictures, coordinate with the campus photographer for action shots, or serve as an ad hoc photographer. - Team Collaboration: Serve as a key member of the athletic administrative team, building positive relationships with colleagues, coaching staff, student-athletes, and external partners. - Convention Attendance: Attend annual conventions for CoSIDA and CSC.

Game Day Responsibilities : - Media Operations: Organize and coordinate all media operations for athletic events, including hiring and training game day staff for scoreboard operation, statistics, public address announcing, and play-by-play announcing. - Live Announcing: Coordinate with local radio stations and provide live game announcing and radio broadcasting for select away games. - Game Day Preparation: Prepare game day scripts, including starting line-ups, special recognitions, and in-game promotions. - Press Releases: Write and distribute press releases after home games, reporting scores to the public. - Livestream Management: Coordinate and troubleshoot livestream video for home events and train student workers annually. - Live Stats Recording: Record live game stats to maintain statistical data for each season.

Qualifications
Education : - Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, sports management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience : - At least two years of relevant experience within sports information. Minimum of 3-5 years in athletic communications, preferably at the collegiate level. Experience in sports information, brand marketing, public relations, and/or advertising.

Essential Skills : - Knowledge of live-stating games. - Proficiency with social media management. - Design graphics and logos for branded social media, live streaming, and websites, with a focus on sports graphic design.

Additional Skills : - Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro preferred). - Working knowledge of NCAA Live Stats, Stat Crew, and PrestoSports statistical software. - Experience with livestreaming and broadcasting events using Production Truck. - Experience with electronic spreadsheets. - Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Attributes : - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. - Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, and travel with teams to select events. - Passion for sports and commitment to promoting the values of collegiate athletics.

Application Process
To apply, please submit the following materials: - A cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the position. - A current resume or CV. - Contact information for at least three professional references. - Samples of your work (e.g., press releases, social media campaigns, graphic designs, or videos).

Franklin Pierce University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Franklin Pierce University is seeking a mission-focused, self-starter as the Director of Athletic Communications. This position serves as the external communications specialist for the Franklin Pierce University Department of Athletics, including its 24 successful varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. Over the past 3 years, FPU have had 8 conference championships, 9 Coaches of the Year, 9 Elite 24 Award Winners, and 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament. Our athletics are more than just our successes, but our Ravens pride and passion. This position will be someone who can continue our Ravens’ mission through media with a comprehensive plan. The Athletic Communications office main focus is providing consistent, quality coverage of the Department of Athletics for a varied audience of student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, alumni, parents & family members, and fans, with a secondary focus on generating coverage from external media outlets. This position provides day-to-day oversight of the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and a team of undergraduate student workers, and reports directly to the Director of Athletics.

Essential Functions:

• Directs communications strategy for Franklin Pierce University’s 24 varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. Will serve as the primary media relations expert for the Department of Athletics, athletic administration student-athletes, coaches and staff. Provides media training as necessary.
• Represent the University and the Department of Athletics on Northeast-10 Conference and NCAA committees, as assigned by the Director of Athletics. Immediately establish and continuously maintain a working knowledge of institutional, Northeast-10 Conference and NCAA policies and procedures.
• Works closely with the University Marketing/Communication office to adhere to University branding guidelines, establishes and enforces Department of Athletics branding guidelines.
• Produces press releases and feature stories, as well as other content for use on the website, social media and other digital outlets. Including coordinates interviews with external media outlets. Is a resource for anyone speaking externally on behalf of the Department of Athletics.
• Willing to take on other duties and tasks as assigned by the Director of Athletics, including but not limited to administrative duties, intercollegiate event scheduling, special event planning, game management, etc.

About FPU:

Since 1962, Franklin Pierce University has empowered thousands of undergraduate and graduate students to achieve academic excellence and lead meaningful, successful lives. Drawing from our strong foundation in liberal education, we offer majors and programs that develop essential, professional skills; promote close connections between students, faculty members, and staff; and position our students to realize their potential through highly personalized, financially accessible academic offerings.

Franklin Pierce encompasses a far-reaching geographic and virtual network educating a diverse population of residential undergraduates, online learners, and full-time graduate students through our main campus in Rindge, NH, and online and graduate centers in Manchester, and Lebanon, (NH) and Goodyear, AZ. We continue to explore new models and programs that build on our legacy of excellence and help students expand their knowledge, direct their passions, and graduate as qualified, engaged leaders.

At Franklin Pierce University, we believe in establishing a legacy through our unique ability to support and prepare students to thrive as leaders and engaged members of society. To do this, we know that is takes outstanding people from every background imaginable to support our mission.

Benefits :

At Franklin Pierce University, we take pride in providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to support the well-being and security of our valued employees. Here are some highlights of the benefits you can enjoy as part of the Franklin Pierce community:

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy 160 hours (4 weeks) of Paid Time Off, along with additional paid sick time for your well-being.
• Paid Holidays: Benefit from 20 paid holidays, including a 10-day winter break with full pay.
• Health and Wellness: Access medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family, ensuring comprehensive health care.
• Life Insurance: Secure the future for yourself and your family with employer-paid Life Insurance coverage ranging from 1.5x to 3.0x your salary, depending on your role.
• Disability Coverage: We cover both short-term and long-term disability, providing financial protection in unforeseen circumstances.
• Retirement Planning: Contribute to your retirement with our 403(b) plan, with immediate 100% vesting. Franklin Pierce University also makes contributions to support your long-term financial goals upon one year of employment or if qualified with prior higher education employment.
• Educational Benefits: Invest in your growth and development with our tuition benefits, allowing you and your qualifying family members to pursue undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Additional Perks: Enjoy various perks, including pet insurance, accident insurance, critical illness coverage, travel discounts, local business discounts, and more!

At Franklin Pierce, we prioritize the well-being, development, and satisfaction of our employees. We are committed to providing a supportive work environment and a range of benefits that align with your needs and aspirations.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Franklin Pierce recognizes the impact of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, age, disability gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or 603-899-4075. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.