Athletics Programs Specialist for External Relations, Penn State Berks

Athletics Program Specialist for External Relations

The Athletics Program Specialist for External Relations provides leadership for the external operations of Penn State Berks Athletics, including athletic communications, digital media, video production, live streaming, corporate partnerships, marketing, and sport administration. The position serves as the department's primary athletic communications professional while overseeing Hudl webcasting, Daktronics video board operations, and sponsorship activation to enhance the visibility and reputation of Penn State Berks Athletics.

The Athletics Program Specialist serves as the sport administrator for assigned varsity programs, supervises student employees and part-time game day staff, and collaborates with campus partners to advance departmental goals. This position provides significant opportunities for leadership, strategic planning, and professional growth within an NCAA Division III athletics department. Evening and weekend work is required.

Athletic Communications

• Serve as the primary athletics communications contact for varsity sports.
• Write and distribute news releases, feature stories, game recaps, and promotional content.
• Maintain the athletics website, statistics, records, and historical archives.
• Coordinate conference and NCAA statistical reporting.
• Manage media relations and nominate student-athletes and coaches for awards.

Video Production, Broadcasting & Digital Media

• Produce video, photography, and digital content for recruiting, marketing, and fan engagement.
• Oversee Hudl webcasting and supervise student broadcast crews.
• Manage Daktronics video board content and game-day programming.
• Support social media and enhance the digital game-day experience.

Corporate Partnerships & External Engagement

• Assist in developing and activating corporate partnerships.
• Coordinate sponsor recognition across digital, broadcast, venue, and video board platforms.
• Develop sponsorship inventory and fulfill partnership agreements.
• Collaborate with University Development and campus partners on external engagement initiatives.
• Support marketing, fan engagement, donor recognition, and community outreach efforts.

Sport Administration

• Serve as the administrative liaison for assigned sport programs.
• Support coaches with scheduling, budgeting, travel, and program operations.
• Conduct coach evaluations in collaboration with the Director of Athletics.
• Assist with hiring, compliance, game management, and strategic initiatives.

Department Leadership

• Assist with departmental planning, special events, and NCAA/conference reporting.
• Supervise student employees and part-time game day staff.
• Foster collaborative relationships across campus and perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Student employees
• Student broadcast and communications staff
• Part-time game day staff
• Administrative oversight of assigned varsity sport programs

• Degree in communications, journalism, sports management, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletics communications or a related field.
• Experience with video editing, digital content creation, and live streaming platforms (Hudl preferred).
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, supervise student employees, and work independently.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.
• Knowledge of NCAA and conference rules.
• Strong writing, storytelling, and digital communication skills.
• Proficiency in video editing, photography, and social media.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management abilities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with coaches, student-athletes, campus partners, sponsors, alumni, and the media.
• Commitment to student-athlete success and exceptional customer service.

• Master's degree.
• Five (5) or more years of collegiate athletics experience.
• NCAA Division III experience.
• Experience with Sidearm Sports, NCAA statistics software, Daktronics video boards, corporate sponsorship activation, and sport administration.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and limited travel.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds of broadcast and event equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors during athletic events.

Bachelor's Degree; 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted;
Required

Certifications:

None

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be…