DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

PAYGRADE: 28E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Sports Information Assistant (Assistant Athletics Communication Director) at the University of Delaware is a valued member within the University and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Services (DIARS), upholding and embracing the departmental mission of "Inspiring Greatness Together."

The Sports Information Assistant reports to the Assistant Athletics Director, Communications and assumes primary responsibility for five sports, which may include Baseball, Men's and Women's Soccer, Swimming & Diving and Rowing. The Sports Information Assistant is responsible for all communications initiatives for their assigned sports and actively supports at large department announcements and initiatives among a wide variety of external media and stakeholders. This individual has a range of responsibilities, which include: customer service, writing, editing, graphic design, social media, webpage management, archiving, proactive media pitching and the facilitation of interview requests. The Sports Information Assistant will serve as a forward-thinking expert in the field that actively keeps abreast of trends and tools and helps educate the broader media relations team to identify and seize opportunities that arise.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

55% Sport Program Lead, Sport Content Generation and Media Relations

• Provide exemplary customer service to internal and external constituencies
• Facilitate and own all sport-related coverage for assigned sport teams, including creative, digital, social, written, and other emerging content mediums.
• Take ownership of assigned sport webpages including all maintenance, content and updates.
• Use social media and other digital tools to communicate game updates and other program information and media coverage in real time to encourage information dissemination and fan engagement.
• Coordinate with coaches on the distribution and collection of information forms from all active student-athletes. Help modernize and optimize our process for data collection to aid in story mining.
• Facilitate media requests with local, regional, national and niche media and social media influencers. Be present and accountable for all interviews for assigned sports and any special events/other announcements.
• Collaborate across the department (including coaching staff) to ensure all public facing materials come through the communications office. Includes graphics, sponsored promotion, content, logos, etc.
• Write and edit various department communication materials, record books, student-athlete bios; postseason publications, press releases (recaps, advisories, possible previews for major events/championships), feature stories, game notes and daily sport specific content for the department's website with a focus on message delivery, user experience, time on website/ length of content and platform appropriateness.
• Write and collaborate with external relations team on printed materials including information guides and programs for sports and special events
• Proactively schedule all in-game sports information/media duties, including student interns, freelancers and photography well in advance of events
• Direct game coverage for assigned sports and assist as needed in game and special event coverage for additional sports as needed. Schedule, train, supervise and coordinate game day communications operations and supervision of game day staff in press areas for selected sports. Direct the accurate and timely delivery of statistical information
• Utilize current and emerging digital platforms and accessible technologies to provide behind-the-scenes viewpoints of Delaware Athletics and its community members as travel and access allow. Actively refine and evolve with emergent technologies (hardware and software) in the promotion of department programs
• Collaborate with Assistant AD, coaching staff and social and digital content director to plan for, generate and maintain content (evergreen and lifespan) for all digital platforms for assigned sports that will engage and attract the next generation of Delaware students, fans and donors

30% Strategic Communications, Department Wide Content Support and Proactive and Cross-Functional Collaboration with External Relations

• Support build of website pages and structure; serve as a go to resource on the team for the website and help educate the team and our interns on website processes and infrastructure.
• Demonstrate positive working relationships with local, regional and national media covering Delaware Athletics through interpersonal communications, email, mobile and use of program and personal social media platforms.
• Support the Assistant AD in the promotion of events, ticketing and development-related initiatives of the Athletic Department at large
• Demonstrate social media expertise in all areas, including proactive engagement in world-wide conversations about Delaware Athletics and assigned programs
• Support revenue development through shared messaging and collaboration on content that helps sell tickets and merchandise and promote fundraising initiatives and development campaigns
• Collaborate with the Assistant AD to 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

15% Intern Management & Other Duties

• Oversee student intern(s) and be an active participant in fostering learning and development by delegating to interns and staff
• Support the recruiting and identification of student interns for each sport season
• Work with assistants and student interns on skill development and providing opportunities for career advancement and apprenticeship
• Travel with assigned teams as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in sport management, communications, sport marketing, journalism or related field and one to three years of relevant work experience in major professional or collegiate athletic communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of the digital and social landscapes and ability to generate successful social content; must be active in social media
• Familiarity working with graphic design technologies (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
• Knowledge of in-game statistical programs (Stat Crew) is essential
• Proven ability to learn quickly, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and to skillfully distill/synthesize emerging information to senior level staff
• High level of personal integrity and ethics
• Passion for intercollegiate athletics and an intuitive sense of trends in marketplace
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a high level of energy, optimism, and flexibility.
• Graphic design and/or multimedia storytelling and editing experience (Premier, Photoshop, and mobile solutions) preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness to comply with NCAA regulations and to work extended hours beyond the typical business day, nights and weekends throughout the academic year, as required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

To apply please click here!