Associate Director of Athletics Communications

General

Summary:

The Associate Director of Athletics Communications serves as the strategic communications leader for UMass Boston Athletics, responsible for advancing the visibility, reputation, brand, and storytelling of the institution's athletics programs and leadership through comprehensive media relations, digital content strategy, statistical reporting, and brand management. This position serves as the primary steward of athletics information, ensuring the accurate, timely, and consistent collection, management, and distribution of statistics, records, and content across NCAA, conference, institutional, and public platforms.

The Associate Director of Athletics Communications develops and executes a forward-thinking communications and storytelling strategy that elevates the experiences and accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches, and the broader campus community while supporting the institution's mission and commitment to academic and athletic excellence. The role oversees athletics communications operations, including media relations, website administration, social media management, game day communications, content creation, and brand positioning.

The Associate Director of Athletics Communications plays a critical role in shaping and enhancing the visual and digital identity of the athletics department through compelling storytelling, writing, photography, graphic design, video production, and multimedia content development. The position also coordinates media coverage, produces promotional and informational publications, and serves as a key liaison between Athletics and institutional communications and marketing partners.

This role requires a highly organized, collaborative, and creative professional who balances precision with innovation, possesses strong knowledge of collegiate athletics, and can successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to student development, authentic storytelling, and producing engaging content that reflects the distinctive character and values of the institution and its athletics program.

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive athletics communications and branding strategy aligned with UMass Boston institutional priorities and strategic plan.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to athletics leadership on communications strategy, messaging, media engagement, reputation management, and crisis communications. Lead the department's communications response during sensitive, high-profile, or crisis situations.
• Develop and execute comprehensive communications plans for major departmental announcements, high-profile initiatives, institutional milestones, crisis communications, and other strategic athletics initiatives, ensuring coordinated, timely, and consistent messaging across all internal and external audiences.
• Provide strategic communications support to the Vice Chancellor for Athletics & Recreation, including executive messaging, speeches, presentations, media preparation, leadership communications, and initiatives that advance departmental priorities and institutional reputation.
• Establish and assess key performance indicators (KPIs) related to media exposure, digital engagement, and brand growth.
• Analyze communications, website, and social media performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and inform strategic communications decisions.

• Provide direct supervision and leadership for athletics communications staff, contractors, and student employees, setting priorities and ensuring high-quality output.
• Supervise, train, and mentor student employees, providing hands-on experiential learning in statistics, communications, digital media, and game day operations.
• Manage the Athletics Communications budget, including resource allocation, vendor partnerships, and long-term planning.

• Oversee game day communications and statistical operations for all NCAA varsity sports, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant reporting to the NCAA, conference (LEC), opponents, media outlets, and institutional platforms while maintaining the integrity of historical records and athletics data.
• Manage, compile, and archive all athletics statistics and historical records, ensuring consistency, accuracy, accessibility, and integrity across all institutional and external platforms.
• Coordinate live statistical services and game day media operations for home athletic events, including press box management, in-game reporting, and support for selected away contests.
• Support and enhance game day and event coverage, including live streaming, broadcasting, and real-time digital content delivery to create engaging and accessible fan experiences.
• Promote student-athletes for conference, regional, and national awards and recognition opportunities.
• Partner with Event Management, Athletics Facilities, Sport Administrators, coaches, and campus partners to coordinate…