Director of Communications

Description

The University of North Dakota Department of Athletics is currently recruiting for a Director of Communications.  The primary function of the Director of Communications is to assist in facilitating UND a’ external operations’ mission of provide service and content by engaging fans, media, and recruits to positively impact our university while generating revenue and interest for our programs

The Director of Communications is a full-time position within the athletic communications department and reports director to the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. Must have a commitment to compliance with all NCAA rules and Regulations. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes.

This position will use discretion and independent judgement.  This position will use creative license to formulate, affect, and implement operating practices related to assigned sports and will assist the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations in relation to all sports. Invention, Imagination, originality, and talent must be exercised by the employee on a daily basis.  Must have a commitment to compliance with all NCAA rules and Regulations. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and direct University of North Dakota Athletic Communication for assigned sports programs.
• Lead and point of contact with website host for assigned sports.
• Responsible for all communications functions including press releases, stat crew, archives, media advisories, website accuracy/timeliness.
• Hire, train, supervise, lead, evaluate communication student interns for assigned sports.
• Provide public relations strategy at request of Director of Athletics or Associate AD for External Operations.
• Lead athletic department projects that aren’t sport related as requested by Director of Athletics or Associate AD for External Operations.
• Communicate with website host in a timely fashion.
• Official point of contact for UND athletics coaches of assigned sports and staff for website matters.
• Other duties as assigned by Associate AD for External Operations and/or Director of Athletics.
• Assist in executing content creation including, but not limited to, social media, website information such as bios pictures, schedules, production of game notes, game day programs, press releases, game story, post-game content & pre/post season media guides.
• Arrange and respond to media requests for coaches and student-athletes in a timely fashion.
• Direct press conferences including placement of media backdrops.
• Assist in executing external operations unit promotion and content creation for the program including, but not limited to, social media, website information like bios, pictures & schedules, production of game notes, game day programs, press releases, game story, post-gam content, and pre/post season media guides. Update archives for assigned sports.
• Manage press area before, during, and after program’s home competitions, including leading student-interns and stat crew.
• Build positive relationships with local and regional media members.
• Direct and assign photographers, as necessary.
• Award nominations submitted in timely fashion.

Required Competencies

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including speaking, writing, and editing. 
• Excellent organizational and computer skills.
• Must have effective professional working relationship with student-athletes, staff, administration, alumni, and general public.
• Must have commitment to NCAA compliance and follow all NCAA, conference and UND rules and regulations.
• Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes including having a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three (3) years of full-time or undergraduate/graduate or internship experience in NCAA Division I, II, II, NAIA, or NJCAA athletics communications or professional sports.
• Demonstrated proficiency in desktop publishing.
• Strong social media presence and demonstrated use of various social channels to include Twitter, Facebook, and Intsagram. 
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.
• Valid Driver’s License

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of full-time work experience in NCAA Division I, II, III, NJCAA, NAIA or professional sports in athletics communications.
• Supervisory experience of graduate assistants, interns, student assistants & game-day event staff.
• Experience with SIDEARM CMS.
• Experience working with NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA Football.
• Experience working with NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA Men’s or Women’s Basketball
• Experience in Adobe Suite with an emphasis on content creation (i.e. graphic design, video production).
• Experience using the following software: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, StatCrew, Microsoft Office.
• Experience working and/or hosting NCAA championship events.

Minimum Hiring Salary/Position Classification Salary Range of $40,000 - $43,000/year.  Full-time, Benefitted position.

Work Schedule/Start Date

Regular Work Schedule; attendance at athletic activities will require working nights & weekends to attend athletic events, and some travel will be required to attend away team competitions. 

Benefits

Includes single or family health care coverage (premiums paid for by the university), basic life insurance, EAP, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual and sick leave. Optional benefits available: supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

To Apply For full consideration, all application materials must be fully submitted by 11:59PM on the closing date.

Additional Information

To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO Statement

The University of North Dakota is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or other protected characteristic. Women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants are invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran’s status and disability status as part of the application process. This information will remain confidential and separate from your application.

Veteran’s Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or NGB 22 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202