Purpose of Position

The purpose of the Sports Communication Specialist position is to serve as the direct communications contact for the sports of Men’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Softball. This position will use discretion and independent judgement, and will use creative license to formulate, affect, and implement operating practices related to assigned sports. Invention, imagination, originality, and talent must be exercised by the employee on a daily basis.

The Director of Communication is a full-time position within the athletic communications department and reports directly to the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Content. Must have 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

• Serve as Communications Contact for Men's Basketball Program
  • Arrange media requests for coaches and student-athletes
  • Respond to media requests and inquiries in timely fashion
  • Direct press conferences including placement of media backdrops
  • Assist in executing external operations unit promotion of the program (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)
  • Update archives for program
  • Assist in content strategy with external operations unit for program
  • 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 
• Serve as Communication Contact for Women's Volleyball Program
  • Arrange media requests for coaches and student-athletes
  • Respond to media requests and inquiries in timely fashion
  • Direct press conferences including placement of media backdrops
  • Assist in executing external operations unit promotion of the program (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)
  • Update archives for program
  • Assist in content strategy with external operations unit for program
  • 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 
•  Serve as Communications Contact for Softball Program
  • Arrange media requests for coaches and student-athletes
  • Respond to media requests and inquiries in timely fashion
  • Direct press conferences including placement of media backdrops
  • Assist in executing external operations unit promotion of the program (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)
  • Update archives for program
  • Assist in content strategy with external operations unit for program
  • 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 
• Lead and Direct UND Athletic Communications & Lead 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 of assigned sports.
  • Provide public relations strategy at request of Director of Athletics or Assistant AD for Communications & Content.
  • Lead athletic department projects that aren’t sport related as requested by Director of Athletics or Assistant AD for Communications & Content.
  • Communicate with website host for updates and changes in timely fashion.
  • Official point of contact for UND athletics coaches of assigned sports and staff for website manners. 

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 a 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 a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 2 years of full-time or undergraduate/graduate or internship experience in NCAA Division I, II, IIII, NAIA or NJCAA athletics communications or professional sports.
• Proficient experience in desktop publishing.
• Strong experience with social media presence with social channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

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

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

About North Dakota Athletics

Additional InformationTo 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 MaterialsPursuant 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 StatementThe 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 PreferenceVeterans 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 StatementIn 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

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