Princeton University: Seeking Assistant Director of Athletics, Communications

With Who:  Princeton University

Location:  Princeton, NJ

Type of Employment:  Full-time

Position Description:  Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications will be responsible for the development and execution of overarching communication strategies in promotion of the varsity sport programs at Princeton University. Additionally, this position will partner with the athletics external team leadership and University partners to assist in developing, managing and growing an innovative and comprehensive public relations strategy, leveraging a variety of distribution channels including interpersonal relationships, digital platforms, media, etc. on a local, regional and national level through impactful and engaging storytelling.

This position will be responsible for specific sport coverage of multiple sports and will assist with Princeton University Department of Athletics social media efforts.  The Assistant Director of Athletics will oversee activities that affect a variety of external media and stakeholders, including leadership responsibilities within the Communications team. The Communications team has a range of duties that include sport coverage, content creation, social media, web management, data interpretation, archiving, event management, proactive media pitching and the facilitation of interview requests.

Responsibilities:  

• Strategic Communications
  • Serve as the sport contact for multiple sports with responsibilities including but not limited to:
    • Developing pregame and postgame content around events and competitions, as well as feature stories, game programs and other assignments as needed.
    • Produce original video content such as interviews, player profiles, highlights, and podcasts.
    • Work home events, including nights and weekends, where responsibilities include stat-keeping, social coverage and media coordination; as well as represent the department at away games and postseason championship competition as applicable.
    • Schedule photographers, public announcers, stats staff as well as communications staff coverage.
    • Actively identify news and feature stories, working with the external team to highlight them in compelling ways through all available media.
    • Demonstrate positive working relationships with local, regional and national media covering Princeton Athletics through interpersonal communications, email, mobile and use of program and personal social media platforms; leveraging personal social accounts to engage with individuals, and ultimately, influence the coverage of our programs.
    • Proactively communicate and solicit local, regional and national media coverage for events and feature stories on Princeton athletes, teams, and other department milestones/accomplishments of interest with targeted approaches to appropriate audience segments, including prospective student-athletes.
    • Assess content, platforms, audiences, time and user experience utilizing data and searchable analytics
    • Direct media coverage for championship and special events; overseeing credentialing process.
    • Team travel with selected sports as necessitated by media and strategic needs.
• Proactive and Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Inform and educate athletes, coaches, administrators, other athletic department constituencies and University constituents on effective methods of media interaction, and personal and program use of social networking platforms.
  • Learn and adopt new technology, tools, platforms, programs that to communicate and engage with audiences how, where and when they need to consume information.
  • Collaborate with team members to create and execute a holistic, 365-day coverage plan for assigned and secondary sports, and initiatives.
  • Develop proactive relationships in the University, athletic department, and NCAA, among others.
• Leadership
  • Assists with leadership of a high functioning, data-driven and forward-looking team, providing members with direction on prioritization, clear roles, and support in order to help them be successful.
  • Serves as a member of the external relations leadership team to promote a culture of growth and learning.
  • Monitors and analyzes communications, digital media trends and technological advancements, and their resulting impact on the overarching communications plan.
  • Participates in peer networking opportunities, professional education opportunities and monitoring trade publications and websites.
  • Manage budgets and casual worker payroll on behalf of communications department.
  • Provide exemplary customer service to internal and external constituencies.
• Digital Execution
  • Responsible for recommending and implementing overall social media engagement strategy across varsity teams; inclusive of but not limited to social media planning and integration across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and emerging platforms and technologies.
  • Serve as subject matter expert on digital platforms, trends, and tech applications, educating internal and external partners as to best practices and recommendations.
  • Oversee efforts to track data and develop metrics around social planning; serving as a liaison to third party providers for tools and programs related to social media management and growth.
• Travel
  • Team travel with selected sports as necessitated by media and strategic needs. Travel to conferences, workshops and other professional development events as a representative of the athletic department as needed.
• Other Duties
  • Please note this job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related field. Advance degree preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in educational, corporate, or athletic communications and public relations.
• Confidence and familiarity working with graphic design and web technologies including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop; proficiency in using web content creation and management tools, including web-based content management systems and statistical software.
• Exceptional ability to work both independently and as a team, emphasizing collaboration in a complex environment, exercising judgment and discretion as applicable.
• Outstanding organizational, communication, writing, interpersonal and analytical skills in a fast-paced environment, supporting multiple constituencies, with the ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans and programs.
• Familiarity with a variety of sports.
• Experience in video and photography.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience leading staff and ability to work as a leader of a high performing team
• In-depth knowledge of the digital and social landscapes; must be active in social media.
• Ability to work extended stretches, both within a day and over several consecutive days; managing time and prioritizing multiple tasks, balancing sport coverage and special projects simultaneously along difficult timelines, including weekends and evenings as necessary.
• Commitment to values that define the Department’s BE A TIGER culture; adhering to Ivy League, ECAC and NCAA rules and regulations.

Apply (or see more information):  Submit your application today!