Associate Director of Athletic Communications

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world‑renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn’s 12 schools offer undergraduate, graduate, and continuing‑education opportunities within a distinctive interdisciplinary environment. As an employer, Penn has earned national recognition, including Forbes’ 2023 “America’s Best Large Employers.” The campus provides a vibrant urban setting with cultural, educational, and recreational amenities, and the surrounding city offers a rich mix of history, arts, and entertainment.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Athletic Communications for the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA), the Associate Director of Athletic Communications serves as the primary media contact for at least five varsity sports (including at least one ticketed sport). Responsibilities include coordinating media interaction, managing game‑day statistical and media operations, overseeing travel logistics, and directing social‑media output with a focus on creative storytelling and graphics across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Responsibilities

• Primary Media Contact for Assigned Sports – coordinate and oversee all media‑related responsibilities, including interviews, website content (game previews/recaps, roster and schedule management), social media, travel, record keeping, and promotion of each program.
• Social Media – collaborate with coaches and team operations directors to manage social‑media accounts, maintain content calendars, provide gameday coverage, publish stories/announcements, and support creative content needs.
• Supervise Staff – oversee work‑study and internship programs and assist with onboarding and training of three communications assistants.
• Cross‑departmental Collaboration – coordinate with marketing, graphic design, JMI, facilities, and operations to promote ticket events, manage media coverage, ensure broadcast needs (including ESPN+), handle sponsorship placements, and arrange game‑day logistics such as media parking and credentialing.
• Team Travel – travel on road trips for assigned sports (e.g., football, women’s basketball) and other events requiring on‑site media coverage.
• Gameday Activities & Support – handle media requests, set up parking and credentials, manage in‑game statistics, and coordinate post‑game interviews between media and coaches/players.
• Statistical Support & Record Keeping – compile, archive, and publish statistics for assigned sports and maintain record books.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2–3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics.

Pay

Annual salary range: $55,962.00 – $60,000.00.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, prescription, behavioral health, and life insurance with flexible spending accounts.
• Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children (including assistance at other institutions for dependents).
• Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, Supplemental) with a wide range of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Paid time off and flexible work‑hour options.
• Long‑term care insurance with simplified enrollment for newly hired employees.
• Wellness and work‑life resources, including programs for health, family, and work‑life balance.
• Professional and personal development resources.
• Access to university facilities, libraries, cultural events, athletic venues, museums, and galleries.
• Discounts on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, automotive purchases, cellular plans, movie tickets, and theme‑park admissions.
• Home‑ownership assistance loan for eligible employees.
• Adoption assistance reimbursement for qualified expenses (up to two adoptions per household).

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal‑opportunity employer. Candidates are considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.