The Executive Director of Communications will play a crucial role in executing the Duke Athletic Department’s overall communications strategy, helping to further establish the University as a leader in college athletics. Working under the direction of the Senior Associate Director of Athletics/External Affairs and in close collaboration with colleagues in External Affairs, the Executive Director of Communications will administer the Communications unit. This position also will serve as the primary communications liaison for select program(s), including Men’s Basketball, and serve on the Senior Leadership team of the External Affairs sector.
Work Performed:
· Manage Communications staff including eight (8) full-time employees, student assistants and event staff
· Cultivate and implement communications strategies
· Produce media guides, game notes, news releases and additional content for assigned sport(s)
· Produce publications for the Athletic Department
· Respond to and coordinate fulfillment of media requests
· Cultivate relationships with local, regional, national and international media
· Ensure all communications materials adhere to Duke University, Duke Athletics and partner brand guidelines
· Serve as a liaison between Duke Athletics and outside agencies to ensure third-party work meets institutional standards
· Serve as a liaison between Duke Athletics and other communications specialists within Duke University
· Serve as a liaison between Duke Athletics and Duke University Archives
· Staff home and away events
· Collaborate with program-specific creative teams to generate innovative concepts and execute marketing, social media and communications initiatives
· Supervise statistical crews and other event support personnel
· Research and maintain historical data and records
· Responsible for management and oversight of department budget with regards to personnel and operational costs.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree required
· Three years’ experience in a communications field, specifically within athletics
· A commitment to knowing and complying with NCAA, ACC, and institutional rules.
Knowledge, Skills, Ability:
· Excellent communications and organizational skills
· Ability to multitask
· Ability to work with differing populations of employees, student-athletes and gameday personnel
The University endeavors to provide a program of intercollegiate athletics from which participating students can derive all the benefits that participation in competitive sports confers. The goal of the intercollegiate program is the same as that of the University’s academic programs: excellence. In this context, excellence includes commitment to the physical and emotional well-being and social development of student-athletes as well as the development of their sense of citizenship, dedication to sportsmanship and fair play, the development of individual and team skills, the exertion of best effort, the will to win, and general conduct that brings credit to the University and is a source of pride and enthusiasm for all members of the Duke community.
