Director of Athletic Communications

Location: Alma, Michigan | Type: Full-time

About the Role

The Director of Athletic Communications serves on the athletic administrative leadership team and is responsible for leading media relations, branding, digital content, and storytelling efforts that elevate the visibility and reputation of Alma College Athletics. This position oversees the accurate and timely management of sports statistics, day-to-day administration of the athletics website and social media platforms, content strategy, brand positioning, and coordination of media coverage for Alma Athletics. Additional responsibilities include the production of game programs and media guides and serving as the liaison between Athletics and the Office of Communications and Marketing. Alma College competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 30 varsity sports, including competitive cheerleading and dance.

Supervision

This position reports to the Athletics Director and supervises two sports information interns and sports information student assistants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee media relations for Athletics, including writing and distributing news releases, student athlete profiles, and hometown stories; developing relationships with local, regional, and national media; handling media requests; and coordinating press box operations.
• Coordinate statistics for all home athletic events; report stats and game results to the MIAA and NCAA.
• Oversee, maintain, and archive all athletics records.
• Oversee the production of game day programs for home events. Write and edit content for recruiting materials, game programs, and other College publications.
• Manage the athletics website, AlmaScots.com. Create, edit, update, and publish content including game stories, statistics, photos, rosters, coaching biographies, and schedules.
• Coordinate the production of live statistics and live video streaming for home events, as well as the development of athletics promotional videos.
• Manage athletics social media accounts in accordance with NCAA regulations, including the creation and oversight of marketing campaigns, graphics, and promotional content.
• Promote student athletes for conference, regional, and national awards and honors.
• Plan, coordinate, and publicize special athletics events and promotions. Prepare materials for Athletics Hall of Fame events and inductions.
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing staff regarding photography, branding resources, marketing initiatives, and publication development.
• Assist with athletics advertising and corporate sponsorship initiatives.
• Assist with game management and event operations.
• Lead and enforce the strategic review and implementation of athletics brand guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field.
• Strong writing, organization, and people skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively with office colleagues, faculty, students, and staff across disciplines.
• A valid driver's license and good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sports information, web content management, live stats, and video experience.
• Knowledge of sports statistics software.
• Knowledge of publications development.
• Experience working with underrepresented, first-generation, Pell-eligible, and diverse populations.

Benefits

Alma College offers competitive benefits and personal time off.

About Alma College

Alma College is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College: Diverse Fields by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Alma is committed to academic excellence and the development of responsible leaders; our students thrive on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty interaction. Alma is a private Phi Beta Kappa institution located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

With an enrollment of about 1,230 students, Alma College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Alma’s mission is to prepare graduates who think critically, serve generously, lead purposefully, and live responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations. Focused on undergraduate education, Alma College boasts a 12-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, 50+ academic majors, self-designed programs of emphasis, pre-professional programs in law and medicine, and an intensive Spring Term that provides opportunities for innovative courses, travel classes, research, and internships.

The attractive 128-acre campus is located in the city of Alma, approximately one hour north of Lansing. The campus is a block from downtown Alma and within two hours of Michigan beaches and ski areas. Gratiot and adjacent counties feature plentiful parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, golf courses, and shops. College facilities, including the Stone Recreation Center and Hogan Center pool, offer wellness education, swimming instruction, and recreational opportunities to community members and local businesses. The campus is bordered by the 41-mile Fred Meijer Heartland Bike Trail.

Cultural and sports events are offered throughout the year, with free admission to Alma College students, faculty, and staff for most college-sponsored events. Alma’s Division III Athletics program offers intercollegiate competition in 28 varsity sports.