Western Kentucky University, a member of Conference USA and Football Bowl Subdivision NCAA member institution, seeks to hire an individual for the position of Director of Communications/Media Relations. This is a 12-month, full-time position. This position reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Marketing. Applicants must have a commitment to and responsibility for adhering to all rules and regulations of WKU, Conference USA and the NCAA.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all- inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.
Serve as the primary football or men's basketball media contact, handling all aspects of publicity for the program, head coach and staff, and day-to-day media relations obligations
Serve as primary media relations contact for other sports as assigned
Assist the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Marketing in ensuring the Athletic Communications/Media Relations Department is versed and innovative in all media relations areas, including, but not limited to, press box management, historical photograph and record-keeping, website content, media information guide production, game note production, weekly statistic reporting to Conference USA and the NCAA, and award nomination
Work with creative services team to organize and execute video and photo content related to assigned sports
Collaborate with other external departments (marketing, tickets, fundraising, etc.) on projects related to assigned sports and department as a whole
Assist local, regional and national media with coverage of the university's athletic programs as a whole
Assist the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Marketing in growing regional network of coverage for the university's athletic programs while working with student-athletes and coaches to increase publicity of the university's athletic programs and academic achievements
Actively implement the athletic department's social media policies on a day-to- day basis
Serve as department liaison to other areas of athletic department as assigned
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Marketing and Director of Athletics
Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success:
Must be self-motivated with attention to detail and accuracy Excellent organization, interpersonal and communication skills
Computer proficiency and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suites, including InDesign and Photoshop
Willingness to travel with teams, along with evening and weekend hours
Experience with Genius/StatCrew software and website administration
Experience working in a football role for multiple seasons
Bachelor's degree
Minimum of three years relevant experience in media relations, journalism, social media or other related field
Western Kentucky University (WKU): Founded in 1906, WKU is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, an ethnically and racially diverse city of 61,500 people, about 110 miles south of Louisville and 65 miles north of Nashville. More than 50 different languages are spoken in and around Bowling Green and people from 35 nationalities call the area home. We seek to attract research- and teaching-active faculty, as well as staff members, from academically and culturally diverse backgrounds. The university's population of approximately 20,000 students includes 35% first generation university/college, 15% underrepresented minority and 6% international students. A regional comprehensive university, WKU is student-centered and focuses on applied research that expands knowledge; improves learning; and serves the region, state and nation.
