Associate AD, Strategic Communications (Athletics)

The University of Arizona's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) is seeking an experienced communications professional for the position of Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications This position will serve on the Athletics Department's Senior Leadership Team, will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a strategic and pro-active communications strategy to promote and best position Arizona Athletics in all forms of communication from sports to business to the digital space which includes social and mobile platforms, will oversee and direct all aspects of the athletics communications office, manage the official athletics website, and will act as the liaison to local, regional and national media outlets to advance and promote Arizona Athletics. This position will collaborate with ICA Marketing and Community Relations, and with External Relations and University Communications to coordinate and enhance their communication efforts.

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Strategically plan and coordinate of all major department initiatives, events and communications plans, including press conferences, major personnel announcements, capital projects and the introduction of new initiatives for all 22 Division I sport programs, staff, and student-athletes.
• Actively work for to enhance the Arizona Athletics brand; working with student-athletes, coaches, communication services and marketing staff to enhance the Arizona Athletics brand, message and story in the local, regional and national media.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Community Relations and other internal resources to develop strategies that promote Arizona Athletics, including integrating and supporting marketing and sales interests.
• Develop, implement and coordinate effective delivery of content through the department's web site and allied social media outlets.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key local and national media executives, editors, reporters and personnel to facilitate the ongoing partnership between Arizona and media entities.
• Oversee full-time staff for a Division I Communication Services Department, including overseeing work productivity, hiring, performance improvement, promotions, and salary adjustments as well as provide training and leadership in media conduct to student-athletes, coaches and staff.
• Recruit, train and manage strategic communications team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Ensure assigned units are operated in compliance with University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.
• Advise and facilitate media strategies including crisis management to address major constituency issues.
• Coordinate student-athlete nominations for University, Conference, NCAA, State and national awards.
• Develop and implement strategy for departmental, Conference, regional and NCAA statistical data bases, including Arizona honors (awards/honors), annual achievements and highlights (NCAA and Conference team and individual championships, academic honors) and digital assets (photos, video).
• Assist with the preparation of speeches and communications as well as formulating communication strategies for the department.
• Utilize media experience to create innovative content, including stories, social media, and podcasts.
• Oversee budget for unit, provide budget projections and updates, and maintain effective management practices.
• Coordinate with the Conference office and Conference member institutions to ensure consistency of communication and implementation of Conference-wide strategies.
• Serve as ICA liaison with UA External Relations and other campus communication entities.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to perform under deadline pressure and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with conflicting deadlines.
• Knowledge of media and communications strategies.
• Ability to communicate easily with the media, as well as student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
• Ability to perform detail oriented yet creative work and independently take action.
• Ability to generate original and imaginative solutions to external crisis.
• Knowledge of, and compliance with, NCAA, Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position.
• Knowledge of in-game operations and the use of Automated Scorebook and StatCrew.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Eight years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's Degree.
• Five years of experience working in a Division I Communication Services/Media Relations Office.
• Experience in writing press releases, establishing and managing relationship with print and electronic media on a national level.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information and/or material with discretion.
• Experience in public relations, including experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference, NCAA officials, community leaders, government officials, alumni and donors.
• Experience with Power 4 Conference, and national print and electronic media procedures.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men's basketball or women's basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?