Eckerd College is currently hiring for the position of Director of Athletic Communications to join our Athletics team at our waterfront property along the Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, in our relationship-focused community. The Eckerd College Tritons are members of NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference with 16 teams competing in a variety of varsity sports.

As Director of Athletic Communications, you will oversee the development and execution of all content strategies across digital, print, and video platforms to promote the College’s athletic programs. Responsibilities include managing the department’s social media accounts and website (EckerdTritons.com), producing engaging written and visual content, coordinating live streaming of home events, and ensuring accurate statistical recording and archiving. The position also plays a key role in media relations, marketing collaboration, event promotion, donor communications, and special event content creation. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, creativity, and organizational skills to enhance the visibility and reputation of Eckerd Athletics while maintaining brand consistency and supporting the broader mission of the College.

The Director should possess an advanced ability to create engaging digital content including graphics and videos to grow the department’s social media presence. Knowledge of NCAA statistical rules and guidelines for Eckerd’s sponsored sports and AP style for sports writing is required for this position. The incumbent must be able to perform frequent after-hours work on nights and weekends.

Benefits Overview

Eckerd College offers a competitive benefits package, including the following:

• 100 percent tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents; access to Tuition Exchange network
• HMO and HDHP medical insurance options; employer contribution to HSA for those on the high deductible plan that start date of hire.
• PPO dental and vision insurance networks; employer-provided life, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans that start date of hire.
• Generous employer contribution to employee’s retirement plan upon eligibility.
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal leave as well as 16+ paid holidays annually. 

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee creative content and branding efforts for Eckerd athletics including graphic design (digital and print), photography, and video production and ensure adherence to the Eckerd Athletics brand in all forms of content
• Manage the main Eckerd Athletics social media accounts, updating regularly with engaging content; provide support and training for athletic coaches in management of their team accounts.
• Manage the live video stream of home events (soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, beach volleyball) for the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network; hire broadcast talent and train production staff; troubleshoot issues with audio or video quality.
• Create, edit, and manage content for EckerdTritons.com, including game recaps, season previews, feature stories, schedules, rosters, scores, statistics, biographies, and records; oversee written content produced by the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and ensure timely dissemination of stories and press releases to appropriate media outlets and campus audiences.
• Maintain and update department archives, team and individual statistics, and team and individual records
• Coordinate recording and reporting of statistics for all home contests per Conference and NCAA guidelines; ensure proper functioning of live stats for home events (excluding tennis, beach volleyball, and sailing).
• Oversee game operations and promotional efforts for home athletic events, including management of the official table (game clock, scoreboard, official book, public address, and music) and coordination of pregame and in-game promotions.
• Develop content for monthly Teal & Steel athletics newsletter, annual Month of Giving, and Auction; work with Assistant AD of Advancement on maintaining an accurate distribution list of donors, alumni, and parents.
• Nominate student-athletes for conference, regional, and national awards.
• Coordinate all media efforts for the department, including working with local media on feature pieces, and collaborate with the Marketing and Communication office to develop marketing strategies and materials aligned with the college’s overall branding and communication plan. 
• Create content for and help coordinate special events such as the Hall of Fame inductions and the annual student-athlete awards show. 
• Manage the Athletic Communications departmental budget. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (communications, journalism, or sports management preferred) plus 3-5 years of relevant experience in a college or university athletic communications office.

About Eckerd

Our waterfront property along the Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, in our relationship-focused community. The Eckerd College Tritons are members of NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference with 16 teams competing in a variety of varsity sports.

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