Assistant Athletics Director, Media Relations

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Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Prior experience in managing a Division I athletics media relations department.
• Outstanding publication and design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills with advanced knowledge of publishing software and statistical programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in website management and HTML language preferred.

Conditions of Employment: 

• While working in support of a wide variety of athletic events, both on and off campus, this position may require additional hours beyond the typical work hours to include evenings and weekends.
• Must have the ability to travel.
• This position is restricted to the availability of funding.

Job Duties: 

35% - Media Operations Management:

• Lead the four-person, full-time media relations staff and manage the student workforce.
• Assign and ensure proper event coverage from media relations staff, including managing the scheduling of both full-time and student staff.
• Manage the recruitment of the student workforce and management of weekly student work schedule.
• Foster positive relationships with external media partners while identifying opportunities to maximize coverage and proactively position William & Mary Athletics among local, regional, and national media outlets.

25% - Media Relations Sport Oversight:

• Serve as the primary media contact for men’s basketball and other assigned sports.
• Manage, plan, and execute a publicity strategy for each assigned sport. This will include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Conceiving, writing, editing, and distributing press releases and student-athlete profiles.
  • Conceiving, shooting, editing, and distributing video features.
  • Direct stewardship over current and historical statistical data.
• Conceptualize, write, edit, and execute all editorial copy as necessary for sport specific game programs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Design and layout of game programs using desktop publishing software (Adobe Creative Suite).
  • Coordinate the printing of the programs and assigned media pieces.
  • Place ad copy within game-program design, when necessary.
• Create and deliver content to the department’s social media platforms (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) in relation to assigned areas (both “live” updates during competition and notices of new, or unique content, either on TribeAthletics.com site, or in local or national media). Strategies will need to fit within existing departmental framework, but implementation of all writing, content development, videos, etc. will be executed autonomously.

20% - Publications and Records Management:

• Lead designing selected digital pieces for presentation on the athletics department website.
• Create and roll out office publications including, but not limited to printed and digital publications, and game day programs.
• Serve as the primary contact with department vendors (SideArm, Fanword, etc).
• Serve as the overseer of historical records and statistics for William & Mary Athletics and support the ever-growing demands of video content on departmental website by coordinating and executing various assigned video projects.

10% - Performance Management:

• Expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.
• Staff receive frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.
• Staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.
• The requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met, and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation.
• Performance issues are addressed and documented as they occur.
• Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace.
• Additionally, position will be responsible for setting office policies and procedures as they relate to the day-to-day operations of the media relations department and will review each of the remaining full-time staff as dictated by the policies of the university.

5% - Recordkeeping:

• Maintain statistical records on the activities of all assigned sports as required or requested by the associations and conferences to which William and Mary belongs (NCAA, CAA, Patriot League, ECAC, etc.).

5% - Gameday Oversight:

• Serve as department’s game management supervisor in press areas for assigned sports. This will include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Train and oversee statistical crews (which will be using various statistical Software programs)
  • Train, organize and oversee additional necessary game personnel (scoreboard operators, announcers, etc.) as they relate to the media relations department (these will be both student workers and contractors)
  • Distribute all appropriate game-related information (press releases, rosters, line-ups, etc.)
  • Ensure all necessary equipment is set-up and operational for in-game use (live stat software, computers, printers, etc.)
  • Distribute press passes and designate appropriate media areas.

Posting Range: Up to $76,000 commensurate with experience

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Position Restrictions:

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. 

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.