Dir Athletic Communications

Special Notice for COVID-19

The UMN has suspended hiring for most positions. However, we will continue hiring for positions critical to the University's mission and operations at this time. Applications are being accepted for this position and you are encouraged to apply. In-person interviews are suspended indefinitely and will be replaced by interviews in a virtual format. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the University of Minnesota.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications for appointment as Marketing and Communications Generalist #9703MG - a professional administrative appointment: a Bachelor's degree with 4 years of professional experience, excellent written and oral communication skills and strong technical skills. A Masters degree is preferred.

The preferred candidate will bring demonstrated effectiveness in sports information; a commitment to students' athletic, academic, and life success; the demonstrated ability to build, motivate and retain a diverse and inclusive team with sensitivity to individuals of all cultural backgrounds; and the capacity to be a visible and engaging leader and advocate for the program. Experience and skill with game management and communication tools (e.g. Microsoft Word, Photoshop, StatCrew, social media, Google tools) is preferred. The successful candidate will be self-directed and motivated, and bring skills needed to advance Cougar Athletics and the university.

About the Job

The University of Minnesota Morris, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, seeks a Director of Athletic Communications (DAC). This is a full time, 10-month, annually renewable appointment. Starting salary is competitive and negotiable with experience and a record of success. The position carries excellent fringe benefits.

The Director of Athletic Communications (DAC) leads and directs all aspects of the sports information office for a NCAA Division III athletic program. The DAC is responsible for implementing a comprehensive athletics communications plan to enhance the exposure of Cougar Athletics. The DAC coordinates Cougar Athletics communication including schedules, game web casts, competition results and statistics, athlete/coach profiles, awards, service and interest stories. The DAC provides timely, accurate information to meet the needs of Cougar fans, build campus and community interest, and tell the UMN Morris athletics story. The DAC works in collaboration with Communications and Marketing staff to advance the Cougar Athletics mission and the campus' mission, vision and branding.

The Director of Athletic Communications will:

Provide strategic direction for and maintain a comprehensive athletics communications program, including the Cougar Athletics website (including current information for all sports, timely information on competition results; "meet the team" information on student-athletes; athlete, coach and staff profiles; service, interest, and student outcomes stories), collaborating with Communications staff to meet campus web design, content, graphics, and quality standards.

Oversee all social media marketing platforms (e.g. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, SnapChat). Produce videos and interviews with student-athletes and coaches.

Supervise game day webcasting, programs, setup and personnel operating the scorer's table (UMN Morris and hosted high school events), game statistics, and timely communication of results on the athletics website.

Oversee all athletics statistical compilation and reporting all scores and statistics to the conference and the NCAA. (On occasion, the DAC may be asked to serve as game manager in the absence of the Athletic Director, Assistant ADs, and Senior Woman Administrator).

Manage nominations for student-athlete of the week recognition and conference, regional and national end of the year awards.

Build a talented, diverse, and inclusive Sports Information team; supervise a part-time Sports Information assistant, student interns, and game day staff (e.g. scorer's table, statistics).

Establish and maintain good communication with radio, print and electronic media representatives. Host media for high school tournament broadcasts.

Work closely and collaboratively with Communications and Marketing staff to a) enhance the visibility of the Cougar Athletic program in the conference, state and nationally, b) advance the Morris mission, vision and branding, c) develop and implement printed and online materials aligned with Athletics design standards and UMN Morris communications protocols. Coordinate all major news releases with Communications and Student Affairs (e.g. championship competitions, coaching appointments, NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship awards).

Provide student-learning opportunities (e.g. sports journalism internships, employment, directed studies; and Sport Studies & Athletics courses - for candidates with a Masters in a related field).

Maintain a permanent record of sports statistics, rankings, awards, photos, trophies; oversee sports information technology; and manage the sports information budget.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota Morris Cougars compete in the NCAA Division III and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference with 19 sports for men and women. Cougar Athletics offers a competitive intercollegiate athletics experience advancing the UMN Morris commitment to academic excellence, diversity, service, and community; fostering the core values of integrity, respect, unity, commitment, and excellence; and furthering students' success in athletics, learning, and life. One in five UMN Morris students is a varsity athlete.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To apply, submit a letter of application, resume and contact information for at least three professional references.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

UMN Morris values diversity in its students, faculty, and staff. UMN Morris is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our community through their teaching, research, and /or service because we believe that diversity enriches the University experience for everyone.

To learn more about diversity at the U: .

Background Check Information

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM)

The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and service learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

A distinctive undergraduate campus within the University of Minnesota system, the University of Minnesota Morris combines a student-centered residential liberal arts education with access to the resources and opportunities of one of the nation's largest universities. A founding member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), UMN Morris provides students with a rigorous academic experience, preparing them to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship. The student body numbers nearly 1500 with a student/faculty ratio of 11:1. UMN Morris serves one of the most diverse student bodies in Minnesota. More than forty percent of UMN Morris students are Native American, persons of color, or of international origin. UMN Morris is the only federally recognized Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution in the Upper Midwest.

UMN Morris is highly ranked by national publications - U.S. News & World Report as a top-ten public liberal arts college; Forbes as one of the best colleges and universities in the nation; and Fiske Guide to Colleges includes Morris campus in its list of "the best" and "most interesting" schools in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. Morris students are taught by a faculty with the highest per capita representation in the University of Minnesota's Academy of Distinguished Teaching and students consistently win national awards, as demonstrated by UMN Morris's status among the top baccalaureate institutions producing student Fulbright awards. The campus is also a national leader in sustainability, evidenced by receipt of the inaugural Excellence in Sustainability award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers and an AASHE STARS Gold rating.