Senior Associate Athletics Director, External Relations

Overview

Job ID
37362767

Category
Athletics

Organization
UCR Intercollegiate Athletics

Department
Intercollegiate Athletics

Location
Main Campus - UCR

Salary

View Full Description

Overview

Job ID
37362767

Category
Athletics

Organization
UCR Intercollegiate Athletics

Department
Intercollegiate Athletics

Location
Main Campus - UCR

Salary
$103,100 - $196,300

Date Posted
June 9, 2026

Application Deadline
Open Until Filled

Schedule
8AM - 5PM

Full/Part Time
Full-time(100%)

Level of Supervision
General Direction

Personnel Program Code
Management & Sr Professional

Other Information
Qualifies for Employee Referral Bonus: No
UC Internal Job: No

Position Information

The Senior Associate Athletics Director, External Relations, provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all external-facing functions of UC Riverside Intercollegiate Athletics. The position directs marketing, communications, digital strategy, fan experience, broadcasting, and ticketing to drive revenue, boost attendance, and elevate Highlander Athletics. Serving as a key department ambassador and the primary liaison for multimedia rights, campus partners, and corporate sponsors, the Senior Associate Athletic Director aligns cross-functional teams to enhance the visibility, engagement, and financial sustainability of all 17 sports programs. The salary range for the Senior Associate Athletics Director, External Relations position is $103,100.00 - $196,300.00 annually. However, the expected pay scale is up to $173,000.00 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training with a college-level program.

Required

Masters Degree in related area

Preferred

Experience Requirements

| Experience | Requirement | | --- | --- | | 8 - 13 years of related experience. | Required | | Previous supervisory/managerial experience. | Preferred |

Special Conditions

| Special Condition | Requirement | | --- | --- | | Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours) | Required | | Travel | Required | | Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours | Required |

Minimum Requirements

| Strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse client and peer group. | | Ability to multi-task effectively; demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making; is an effective problem solver and effectively communicates verbally and in writing. | | Advanced knowledge of the intercollegiate athletics function. | | Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the affiliated athletic conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as other associations and agencies to which the campus adheres, and, at all times avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards. | | Ability to foster positive relationships and create partnerships with a wide range of constituent groups; plan, develop, and coordinate multiple projects; work in a fast-paced environment, multitask, strong attention to detail and keep specific timeliness; and communicate and adhere to University, Big West Conference and NCAA policies, procedures, rules and regulations | | Working marketing and sales knowledge. | | Interpersonal communication skills to effectively deal with all levels of the organization and external constituencies. | | Working knowledge of fundraising, donor and public relations principles, concepts, procedures and techniques, including identification, cultivation, and knowledge of solicitation strategies. | | Demonstrated track record of creating remarkable customer service experiences. | | Skills to implement and execute programs including skills to achieve predetermined goals and objectives within budget and time constraints. | | Good written, oral and interpersonal communication skills and political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships within all organizational levels and outside constituencies. | | Project management, critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills, Strong organizational skills. | | Skills to meet predetermined goals and objectives, including securing gifts. | | Basic knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc. | | Leadership/management skills, including skills to lead, direct, mentor, evaluate and motivate staff. | | Skills to analyze evaluate and improve programs/services. |

Preferred Qualifications

| Working knowledge of the campus and/or medical center, including its achievements, mission, goals, vision, objectives and infrastructure | | Working knowledge of order entry methods and techniques and related product knowledge | | Significant knowledge of Microsoft Office. Extensive experience with Adobe Creative Suite and social media platforms outside of personal use. | | Experience with video editing software. |

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

General Information

Job Title
ATH MGR 2

Job Code
000335

Grade
25

Department Head
Gregory Paules

Supervisor
Gregory Paules

Positions Directly Supervised

| Job Code | Title | FTE | | --- | --- | --- | | 007556 | SALES SPEC 3 | 1 | | 000332 | HEAD COACH 5 | 3 | | 004138 | ATH SUPV 2 | 1 |

Generic Scope

Oversees through subordinate managers a large department or multiple smaller units, OR manages a highly specialized technical function/team. Has significant responsibility to achieve broadly stated goals through subordinate managers. Determines objectives, directs programs, develops strategies and policies, manages human, financial, and physical resources, and functions with a high degree of autonomy. Proactively assesses risk to establish systems and procedures to protect organizational assets. Determines strategies for a program with organization-wide impact.

Custom Scope

Establishes operational objectives for specific support functions and delegates assignments to subordinate managers. Senior management reviews objectives to determine success of operation. Involved in developing, modifying and executing campus policies that affect immediate operations(s) and may also have campus-wide effect.

Department Custom Scope

The Senior Associate Athletics Director, External Relations, provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all external-facing functions of UC Riverside Intercollegiate Athletics. The position directs marketing, communications, digital strategy, fan experience, broadcasting, and ticketing to drive revenue, boost attendance, and elevate Highlander Athletics. Serving as a key department ambassador and the primary liaison for multimedia rights, campus partners, and corporate sponsors, the Senior Associate Athletic Director aligns cross-functional teams to enhance the visibility, engagement, and financial sustainability of all 17 sports programs.

Key Responsibilities

| Description | Percent Time | | --- | --- | | Oversees specific support functions of athletic programs, including scheduling and planning locations for sports events. - Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all External Relations functions, including marketing, communications, creative services, digital and social media, fan experience, events, website, and community and campus engagement. Direct and supervise assigned staff responsible for the execution of these areas, ensuring alignment, consistency, and a high standard of performance across all external-facing initiatives. Serve as the primary liaison between Athletics and external partners, including Learfield/Highlander Sports Properties, Development, and key campus stakeholders, ensuring coordinated revenue generation, brand alignment, and engagement strategies. Represent Highlander Athletics across Southern California, the state, and nationally, serving as a visible and credible ambassador for the department. Provide executive oversight of broadcast and digital content strategy, including partnership with the Big West Conference and ESPN3, ensuring high-quality production and consistent brand presentation across live and pre-produced content. Lead through others by setting clear expectations, establishing priorities, and holding teams accountable for the development and delivery of creative assets and promotional materials across all platforms, including digital, print, in-venue, and broadcast. Ensure that all external communications and fan engagement efforts reflect the mission, values, and strategic priorities of Highlander Athletics.

| 40% | | Plans and coordinates programs and policy. - Provide leadership in the development, alignment, and implementation of programs and policies that support external operations and revenue generation. Collaborate with campus partners, including marketing, communications, and other key departments, to ensure consistency, efficiency, and alignment with institutional priorities. Serve as the primary point of contact for the department’s multimedia rights partner, leading strategy and coordination to support the growth and expansion of corporate sponsorships and external revenue opportunities. Oversee the development of comprehensive ticketing and fan engagement strategies designed to drive sustained increases in attendance and annual revenue. Partner with Facilities and Operations to establish, implement, and monitor policies and procedures related to facility use and rental agreements, ensuring consistency, compliance, and optimization of revenue-generating opportunities. Lead through cross-functional collaboration by setting clear expectations, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring accountability in the execution of programs and policies that enhance the visibility, engagement, and financial sustainability of Highlander Athletics.

| 25% | | Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive digital strategy that advances the mission, values, and brand of UC Riverside Athletics, with a focus on engaging key audiences including fans, donors, recruits, and the campus community. Provide strategic direction and oversight of all athletics digital platforms, including social media and content programs, ensuring alignment across all 17 sport programs and departmental initiatives. Supervise and guide staff responsible for day-to-day content creation, publishing, and platform management, establishing clear priorities, brand standards, and performance expectations. Drive a data-informed approach to digital engagement, audience growth, and revenue generation by setting measurable goals, evaluating performance metrics, and continuously refining strategy to maximize impact and visibility. Ensure that all digital storytelling and content initiatives reflect a cohesive, high-quality brand presence and effectively position UC Riverside Athletics within the conference and national landscape. | 20% | | Develops departmental budget. | 5% | | Coordinates compliance programs, student services and information systems units. - Establishes and implements operational guidelines and trains, leads, mentors and monitors staff to ensure compliance with performance standards.

| 5% | | Other duties as assigned. | 5% |

Other Requirements

Items Used done Standard Office Equipment

Physical Requirements done Bend: Occasionally

done Sit: Frequently

clear Squat: N/A

done Stand: Occasionally

clear Crawl: N/A

done Walk: Frequently

clear Climb: N/A

Mental Requirements done Read/Comprehend: Frequently

done Write: Frequently

done Perform Calculations: Occasionally

done Communicate Orally: Frequently

done Reason & Analyze: Frequently

Environmental Requirements clear Is exposed to excessive noise: No

clear Is around moving machinery: No

clear Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity: No

clear Drives motorized equipment: No

clear Works in confined quarters: No

clear Dust: No

clear Fumes: No

Critical Position done Yes

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