Strategic Communications Manager (Athletics)

Strategic Communications Manager (Athletics)

Posting Number

req21007

Department

Administration and Athletics

Department Website Link

arizonawildcats.com

Location

Main Campus

View Full Description

Strategic Communications Manager (Athletics)

Posting Number

req21007

Department

Apply Now

Administration and Athletics

Department Website Link

arizonawildcats.com

Location

Main Campus

Address

1 National Championship Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success.

The Strategic Communications Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Strategic Communications department for Arizona Athletics including developing and strategizing communication efforts for the department. Directs and coordinates all communication efforts, managing a strategic communications plan and delivering messages to all stakeholders and managing all messages internally and externally. This position serves on the leadership committee and reports directly to the Vice President and Director of Athletics. This position manages sensitive and critical messages requiring press releases and crisis communication

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

Manages and coordinates all strategic communications efforts which includes managing and implementing a strategic communications plan, delivering timely and key messaging to all internal and external stakeholders.

Manages all public relations efforts for the Athletic Department including daily messaging and crisis management messaging as well.

Oversees and maintains crisis communication plans and efforts, serving as department spokesperson as needed.

Build and maintain relationships with campus, local, regional and national media. Building relationships with print and social media to showcase the Arizona Athletics story.

Responsible for maintaining a communication strategy that is reflected in all communications and showcases the Athletics brand.

Creates a culture of collaboration between Strategic Communications and other internal units within athletics to maximize the experience for student-athletes, fans, alumni and students.

Works in partnership with external facing units on campus to strategize communication pans and efforts maintaining University policies and procedures in communication efforts.

Leads efforts to proactively promote student-athletes' stories. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media to generate stories that highlight significant achievements of the department, students, coaches, and staff.

Leads all communications, public relations, and messaging efforts for Vice President and Director of Athletics.

Manage and direct budget for unit, including overseeing all expenses related to area of responsibility.

Ensuring all staff complies with campus policies for expenses and reimbursements.

Oversee budget for all 22 sports working alongside sports staff to ensure highest quality of information is communicated both internal and externally keeping in mind fiscal responsibility to the department and campus.

Develops and maintains operational plans and systems that impact the unit and department, working with campus leadership to comply with strategic vision for the university.

Supervise staff responsible for hiring, performance management, promotions and day-to-day operational tasks.

Provides strategic and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills, leadership, and expertise.

Oversees staff training and development in areas of expertise.

Provide daily leadership and supervision for the Strategic Communications Department. Oversees, develops, strategizes, and executes communication efforts across the unit, departments, and athletics.

Recommend policies and plans that help modernize the department and move unit forward in its modernization efforts.

Additional duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of various communication theories, concepts, techniques, mediums, and strategies.

Ability to write for various audience and in various formats

Knowledge of NCAA, Conference, and University polices and procedures as they relate to this position.

Ability to work and provide feedback to high-profile individuals such as head coahces and student-athletes.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions

Meticulous attention to detail

Self-motivated, results-oriented, and has a positive demeanor

Critical thinking skills and ability to provide multiple solutions for situations

Knowledge of news production, both written and broadcast media, strategic social media marketing and informational experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.

Nine years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree.

Ten years of experience.

Management and/or leadership experience.

Experience with a college or university's strategic communications operations.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40 + nights and weekends

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$117,883 - $153,248

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

13

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Grade Range Minimum

$117883

Grade Range Midpoint

$153248

Grade Range Maximum

$188613

Career Stream and Level

M4

Job Family

Communications

Job Function

Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required:

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

Morgan Domenick

Associate Athletic Director, Administration

mbdomenick@arizona.edu

520-621-2043

Open Date

12/19/2024

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please submit Resume, Cover Letter, and the answers to the following questions as the Additional Document. Thank You.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7–12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sport of men’s basketball, women’s basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men’s basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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