Associate Director of Strategic Communications.

About the role

This position will work within Athletics’ team of strategic communication content creators and in collaboration with the entire team. They will serve as the primary contact for specific sports attending on and off campus events, working closely with the coaches and student-athletes on storytelling aligned with the DCARD strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead liaison between assigned sport programs and the External Strategy department.
• Solicit feedback from sport programs and External Strategy colleagues on objectives, goals, and strategies, in addition to creation and distribution of content.
• Facilitate multimedia student-athlete features in coordination with other departments.
• Promote student-athletes and coaches for national and conference awards.
• Facilitate interviews and initiate media coverage by preparing logistics, materials and talking points to announcers.
• Maintain an ongoing understanding of industry trends, innovative platforms, and emerging media in a rapidly changing profession.
• Develop rapport with coaching staff, student-athletes, and media members through communication, attendance at practices, and traveling for competitions.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training of student workers for various roles within the department, ensuring each hire is aligned with operational needs and departmental standards.
• Coordinate and manage staffing for all student and freelance positions related to events, including scheduling, assigning roles, and ensuring appropriate coverage across all event functions.
• Maintain an organized, efficient, and responsive staffing system to support high-quality event execution.
• Directly responsible for all publicity efforts.
• Design, write, edit and fact-check various communications materials.
• Work closely with the other key Athletics personnel on planning and executing department-wide social media strategy.
• Serve as the backup website administrator, supporting backend setup and maintenance of the department’s digital platforms.
• Using statistical software, compile accurate statistics for assigned sports, including game, season and career statistics.
• Manage current and historical team information (rosters, statistics, record, photos, videos) of assigned sports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3-5 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated aptitude in social media and proactive, strategic communication are essential.
• Confidence and familiarity working with web technologies, including basic HTML and CMS tools (such as SIDEARM).
• Experience updating content, managing user access, troubleshooting technical issues, assisting with CMS configurations, and ensuring site functionality aligns with branding and accessibility standards.
• Advanced and demonstrated knowledge of statistical programs (such as NCAA Live Stats, NCAA Genius and StatCrew).
• Writing experience with emphasis on Associated Press style.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including late night and weekend hours.
• Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population.
• Previous experience working in a college sports information office.
• Effective time management skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as lead projects.
• Familiarity with managing social accounts.