Director of Communications

Director of Communications

Athletics Administration - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26004080)

The University of Pittsburgh requests applications for the position of Director of Communications. The individual will be a member of the department's athletic communications staff and report to the Assistant Athletic Director of Communications. Requirements include experience in a collegiate or professional media relations environment, outstanding oral and written communications skills, demonstrated organizational skills, and working knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and NCAA LiveStats.

Job Summary

Performs a variety of editorial duties (e.g., laying out, indexing, proofreading, and revising content of written materials) in preparation for final publication for multiple complex projects adhering to style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements. Prepares, rewrites, and edits copy for multiple moderately complex projects for internal and external publication. Oversees publication production and assists with prospective manuscript work. Identifies subjects, interviews sources, and writes articles.   

Essential Functions 

Serve as primary media contact for volleyball and assigned sports, managing all press release writing, game notes, roster and record book maintenance, and statistical reporting. Coordinate media credentials, press row logistics, and pregame/postgame media availability for home and select away events. Manage and write award nominations for national, conference, and institutional honors for assigned sport student-athletes. Proactively cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media to generate coverage of assigned sport programs, student-athletes, and department milestones, pitching stories and facilitating interview opportunities with coaches and athletes. Collaborate with the creative content team to develop and execute social media strategies for assigned sports, providing oversight and editorial direction on in-game content, real-time updates, and audience engagement. Work in partnership with the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications to execute departmental priorities and contribute to the development of communications strategy, messaging initiatives, and operational goals. Partner with coaching staffs to identify and develop strategic narratives around recruiting, program milestones, and team achievements. Provide leadership, training and mentorship to interns, graduate assistants and student workers, while assisting with workflow management and professional development. Support the execution of student-athlete NIL initiatives by collaborating with external partners, coaching staffs, and creative content personnel to ensure effective promotion of partnerships while maintaining consistency with departmental branding and communications standards.

Physical Effort 

Director of Communications

Athletics Administration - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26004080)

The University of Pittsburgh requests applications for the position of Director of Communications. The individual will be a member of the department's athletic communications staff and report to the Assistant Athletic Director of Communications. Requirements include experience in a collegiate or professional media relations environment, outstanding oral and written communications skills, demonstrated organizational skills, and working knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and NCAA LiveStats.

Job Summary

Performs a variety of editorial duties (e.g., laying out, indexing, proofreading, and revising content of written materials) in preparation for final publication for multiple complex projects adhering to style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements. Prepares, rewrites, and edits copy for multiple moderately complex projects for internal and external publication. Oversees publication production and assists with prospective manuscript work. Identifies subjects, interviews sources, and writes articles.   

Essential Functions 

Serve as primary media contact for volleyball and assigned sports, managing all press release writing, game notes, roster and record book maintenance, and statistical reporting. Coordinate media credentials, press row logistics, and pregame/postgame media availability for home and select away events. Manage and write award nominations for national, conference, and institutional honors for assigned sport student-athletes. Proactively cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media to generate coverage of assigned sport programs, student-athletes, and department milestones, pitching stories and facilitating interview opportunities with coaches and athletes. Collaborate with the creative content team to develop and execute social media strategies for assigned sports, providing oversight and editorial direction on in-game content, real-time updates, and audience engagement. Work in partnership with the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications to execute departmental priorities and contribute to the development of communications strategy, messaging initiatives, and operational goals. Partner with coaching staffs to identify and develop strategic narratives around recruiting, program milestones, and team achievements. Provide leadership, training and mentorship to interns, graduate assistants and student workers, while assisting with workflow management and professional development. Support the execution of student-athlete NIL initiatives by collaborating with external partners, coaching staffs, and creative content personnel to ensure effective promotion of partnerships while maintaining consistency with departmental branding and communications standards.

Physical Effort 

Mostly sedentary. Individual will be required to walk and stand at events and games.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Editor III

Job Family Communications & Marketing

Job Sub-Family Editing

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required 2

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience?  Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification Collegiate Athletics experience strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of work and high-level playing experience may be substituted at the discretion of the University.

Work Schedule Varies

Work Arrangement On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range To be determined based on qualifications

Relocation Offered Yes

Visa Sponsorship Provided No

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Required Documents Resume, Cover Letter

Optional Documents Not Applicable

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