The Associate Director for Communications serves as the primary communications strategist for several programs, including volleyball, cross country, track, and bowling, and is responsible for driving bold, creative, and proactive communications that elevate the visibility of these programs, their student-athletes, and their coaches on a national scale.

As the strategic lead for social and traditional media, this individual is a storyteller—someone who doesn’t just respond to engagement opportunities but creates them. They will craft and execute sophisticated narrative strategies, develop and execute creative and innovative social media campaigns, pitch and place high-profile stories, and identify breakout moments that position these programs among the most visible and compelling programs in college athletics.

This role requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus.

Reporting to the Associate Athletics Director for Communications and working in close partnership with the Athletics and University content and creative teams, this role will build upon the programs' and Vanderbilt's overall momentum, infusing every external communications effort with energy, intentionality, and brand-building impact. It requires strong social media experience, solid media instincts, exceptional storytelling skills, and a hunger to innovate. 

The Associate Director for Communications is part of the Athletics Communications team within the Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for developing and implementing communications plans and tactics to advance Vanderbilt’s distinctive athletics program, while supporting the university’s overall strategic communications plan. This includes leveraging storytelling expertise, gathering news, developing messaging and content, and coordinating dissemination of story packages across the division.

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and deeply collaborative group. The division, with all of its departments and sub-teams, serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing and executing strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for other divisions in the university, providing comprehensive plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team continuously seeks innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in order to deliver results at scale to advance the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is necessary; a degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in sports communications, journalism, public relations, or media strategy, preferably in a Division I collegiate or professional sports setting, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing social media communications strategies that drive engagement and elevate brand visibility is necessary.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with an ability to tailor content for different platforms, audiences, and media outlets, is necessary.
• Proven ability to identify and pitch compelling narratives that result in high social media engagement and high-profile local, regional, or national media placements is necessary.
• Experience advising high-profile individuals (e.g., coaches, athletes, executives) on social and traditional media strategy and preparing them for interviews is necessary.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment with the flexibility to travel and work nights and weekends as needed is necessary.
• A highly collaborative mindset with experience working across teams, including content, creative, digital, and leadership stakeholders is necessary.
• Proficiency with media monitoring tools and data analytics to measure and report on outcomes is necessary.
• Strategic thinking, proactive problem solving, and passion for advocating for innovation in sports storytelling is necessary.

About Vanderbilt University

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.Vanderbilt University is an 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 status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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