The Assistant Director of Athletic Communications assists in the promoting of Pepperdine's Department of Athletics through the media, website, social media and other forms of communications; works with game management to successfully host home athletics events; has a particular emphasis on content creation, statistics and media relations; and maintains the historical archives for assigned teams.

Duties

• Writing articles/game stories/game previews/game notes/features/biographies for the athletics website and for media dissemination.
• Working at athletic events in capacities such as keeping statistics, updating social media, photography, etc.
• Creating digital content to promote athletic teams on social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
• Pitching stories to media and performing media relations duties, including setting up interviews and prepping broadcasters.
• Archiving stories and photographs, or performing research, to improve or maintain the historical record of athletics activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or equivalent subject. An equivalent combination of education and experience in an NCAA Division I Sports Information Office can be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of one year of experience working in a college or professional Athletic Communications/Sports Information office as a full-time staff member, intern, or graduate assistant.
• Experience using common office computer applications including Microsoft Office and web browser applications; advanced knowledge of statistical (Statcrew/The Automated Scorebook/NCAA Live Stats) and design (Adobe InDesign and Photoshop) software.
• Experience working with website content management systems (Sidearm).
• Experience using social media and video in promoting athletics.
• Previous experience working in an athletic communications capacity.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; demonstrated reliability; ability to perform under pressure of deadlines; ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously; ability to work effectively with external constituents; ability to communicate and work effectively with internal constituents, particularly senior staff, coaching staff, and other appropriate University personnel.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member; results-oriented; self-starter; appreciation of and commitment to further the mission, values, and goals of Pepperdine University.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite; Statcrew/The Automated Scorebook/NCAA Live Stats.

About Pepperdine Athletics

Pepperdine boasts a one-of-a-kind athletic department with unprecedented success for a school of its size. The Waves have won NCAA Division I championships in five different men's sports — one of just 20 schools to have accomplished this feat — and 10 overall. Of this elite group, Pepperdine has the smallest undergraduate enrollment, is the only school without football and is the only university that has not been affiliated with a "major" conference. The Waves have won a total of 26 team or individual national championships in their history. Pepperdine has also earned the Division I-AAA All-Sports Trophy, an award based on postseason success that's given to the top non-football school, four times (most recently in 2022-23). Located in scenic Malibu, California, the university overlooks the Pacific Ocean and its campus and athletic facilities are regularly voted among the nation's most beautiful. Pepperdine, which is affiliated with the Church of Christ, ranks #80 overall on U.S. News and World Report's list of America's best colleges.

Connections working at Pepperdine Athletics