Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Athletics Director, the Assistant Director, Athletic Communications is responsible for developing, and implementing media relations and publicity. The incumbent will create content, write releases (game recaps, previews, features), produce publications (media guides, record books, game notes, game and match programs), maintain all website content and historical records, oversee and press row/press box operations. Serve as game operations Manager, handling all media and interview requests, and managing social media for assigned Intercollegiate Sports Programs.  Contributes to the maintenance of good working relationships with all members of the Department.  

Exhibits the highest professional standards and ethical behavior regarding adherence to NCAA, Council of Ivy League Presidents, University, and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Write, editing and publishing print materials including (but not limited to): media guides, press releases, game programs, contest recaps and feature stories for assigned sports programs, and creating content for social media in the form of graphics, recaps, video, etc.
• Act as sports information/media relations lead for assigned sports programs (working with assigned program’s coaches and student-athletes, handling all news-related announcements, pitching story ideas, serving as public relations liaison for programs, coaches and student-athletes, celebrating success, preparing student-athletes, coaches, administrators for interviews, coordinating and organizing photo shoots.  
• Manage media relations and statistical services at home events for assigned sports programs, serving as press row/press box operations lead, game management liaison lead for athletics communications for assigned sports. Contributes to the maintenance of good working relationships with all members of the Department.
• Write and editing stories and multimedia features for, and updating statistical data published on www.gocolumbialions.com website.
• Design and editing graphics for use on website and Columbia Athletics social media accounts. Incumbent could possibly serve as Columbia Athletics’ graphic designer.
• Develop and maintaining relationships with media professionals, alumni, friends, fans, support groups and University personnel.
• Ensure nomination of Columbia student-athletes in assigned sports programs for appropriate honors and awards (Ivy League Conference, NCAA, All-America, etc.)
• Develop and implement media relations plan for assigned sports programs to attain and maintain positive exposure for Columbia Athletics and Columbia Lions student-athletes, with responsibilities including (but not limited to): pitching stories to appropriate media outlets, tracking and clipping media mentions, following up with media contacts, coordinating with university resources as necessary.
• Maintain history and files for assigned sports.
• Enforce appropriate usage of Columbia University Athletics brand marks and logos, production of multimedia reports and feature stories and video work.
• Assist with management of work-study students (scheduling, assignments, etc.) and mentor the Sports Information student workers.
• Complete temporary assignments as requested by the Associate Athletics Director for Sports Information/Media Relations.  Performs related duties & responsibilities as assigned/requested by the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or its equivalent required.
• Up to two years of related experience required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate excellent writing and computer skills.
• Familiarity with appropriate software including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Word, Excel, etc.), Statcrew software, Final Cut Pro or equivalent video editing software and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; working knowledge of concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations.
• Experience managing social media.
• Experience working in a college or professional media relations office or related field.
• Ability to design graphics for use on social media and website.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in journalism, communication or related field is preferred.
• A high-level graphic design skill and the ability and organizational skills to design graphic templates for the office.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.