Updated Listing - Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

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The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include approximately 900 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and other governing bodies. We are currently seeking an Assistant Director, Athletics Communications.

Involves developing, promoting and supporting the communications aspects of intercollegiate student-athlete programs, keeping in mind department and university mission and goals in all media contacts and in directly produced content. For the assigned teams of softball, men's swimming & diving and men's water polo, provides analysis and information on results or activities, searches out and produces media content (including social media and written video content), arranges and conducts interviews, may set up press conferences, and arranges for photography, video or graphics to accompany news releases.

Often works independently and exercises judgment in deciding what news to disseminate and through which format in a timely fashion without supervisor approval. Writes and assists in design of the annual information guide, updates  website on a daily basis, and manages sport-specific social media, including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Assists television broadcasters in production of Cal home and away events.

Acts as the team historian. Handles media requests, such as news stories, feature interviews and live broadcasts, for assigned sports.

The First Review Date for this job is: 12/16/2025.

• Under minimal supervision, provides analysis and information on complex results or activities, searches out and writes stories, conducts interviews, sets up press conferences, and arranges for photography, video, or graphics to accompany news releases.
• As assigned, handles breaking news situations, including developing strategies for dealing with sensitive and/or controversial issues.
• Works collaboratively with upper management and, if necessary, across units and campus to develop communication plans that serve the best interest of the department and university.
• Produces quality work under deadlines.
• Performs well under pressure.
• Takes necessary steps in non-deadline situations to optimize performance when working under deadline.
• As assigned, handles news requests from reporters for information about the location.
• Develops positive relationships with external media members to effectively handle news requests. Prepares coaches, student-athletes and staff with appropriate media training, talking points, etc. to ensure proper messaging.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Understands when confidentiality is necessary.
• Makes decisions with the reputation of the brand of the department and university in mind.
• Provides general assistance as needed to facilitate requests for information of a general nature and assists with major institutional news conferences and public announcements.
• Maintains good communication with campus communicators to effectively assist with announcements and information distribution when the scope goes beyond the department.
• Builds and maintains good working relationships at all organizational levels and with external media representatives.
• Proactively reaches out to external media members on a consistent basis to maintain positive interactions.
• Develops relationships with media members to a point where they can have hard conversations about coverage, if necessary.