Assistant Athletics Director, Media Relations

Assistant Athletics Director, Media Relations

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at William & Mary is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all its endeavors. We are committed to an outstanding intercollegiate athletics program by: forging an environment that demands success with integrity, winning championships, empowering leaders, building a championship culture, elevating the prestige of the University, instilling pride and respect, remaining true to our core values of accountability, belonging, creativity, integrity, and service.

This position will lead the W&M Athletics Communications team in developing and executing strategies to enhance the department brand and public perception through proactive storytelling, disciplined messaging, and high-performance media operations. The role will oversee all operations of media relations staff and manage the day-to-day operations of Athletics' Media Relations Department. Specifically developing organizational and logistical plans for the media relations office, leading staff meetings and developing staff operational structure to execute mission and goals of the unit.

Additionally, this position will 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. The person in the role will also collaborate with departmental leaders throughout W&M Athletics support staff to further the department-wide mission and goals. Some travel will be necessary as it pertains to specific sport coverage responsibilities.

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.

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 (Side Arm, 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…