Assistant Communications Director (Volleyball/Track & Field)

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Application Instructions:
Please attach your resume, cover letter, and portfolio or samples of work when applying for the position.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Communications Director will serve as the primary media relations contact for the Kansas Volleyball and Track & Field programs. This position will coordinate communications efforts and proactively publicize all aspects of the program, which includes conducting press conferences and weekly media availabilities and interviews. Duties include ensuring KUAthletics.com and all assigned sports digital platforms are up-to-date in a timely manner to provide to fans and media. Also included is the designing, writing and editing of the media guide, producing press releases and game notes, coordinating interview schedules for coaches and players, keeping and updating statistics and historical records.

Duties and Responsibilities of all Positions at Kansas Athletics:

1. Adhere to University, Big 12 Conference, Kansas Athletics and NCAA policies and procedures;
2. Maintain knowledge of departmental activities, sports schedules and procedures;
3. Foster cooperative working relationships with fellow staff members within the department;
4. Support the athletics departmental goals and philosophies as described by the Director of Athletics, and works to achieve and uphold the department’s mission statement and core values;
5. Maintain a positive attitude toward performing job duties and working with other staff members;
6. Exhibit professional decorum at all times while representing Kansas Athletics, including routine events and meetings that occur outside of the office and on the road;
7. Maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while an employee of Kansas Athletics including all private, confidential, or sensitive information and ensuring compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Position:  

1. Oversee the communications and publicity plan for the Kansas’ Volleyball and Track and Field programs, through traditional media and owned media, i.e. website, social channels, television network, radio, etc.;
2. Responsible for day-to-day media operations of the Kansas’ Volleyball and Track and Field teams including coordinating all player and coach interviews, arranging media conferences, game day operations, statistics, producing press releases and games notes, game day programs, updating the website, and traveling with the team;
3. Assist in the design maintenance of all Kansas Athletics websites and assist with other electronic assets, by working hand-in-hand with the department’s lead graphic and web designers;
4. Responsible for the consistent look, design, and feel for all Kansas Athletics websites through working closely with the department’s lead web designer, other communications employees and the web hosting company;
5. Proactively pitch and promote storytelling within the sports assigned and assist in the overall publicity efforts for Kansas’ 16 sports;
6. Work closely with web hosting company; Jayhawk Sports Marketing; Jayhawk TV and Radio Networks; and Rock Chalk Video to ensure full integration and interactivity with all digital platforms;
7. Mentor and oversee the day-to-day task management of a group of student interns and/or game day workers;
8. Follow established policies and procedures. Handle unusual or non-standard situations by interpreting these guidelines and adapting creative solutions;
9. Maintain liaison with the volleyball and track and field teams to assess and fulfill their publicity and media needs;
10. Handle confidential information and sensitive situations with the upmost professionalism and within the policies and procedures of Kansas Athletics, the Big 12 Conference, NCAA and State of Kansas;
11. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics or their designee.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, degree in Communications, Journalism, or Sports Management is preferred;
• Minimum two years of experience in the Athletic Media Relations or related field;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
• Working knowledge of the following social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram;
• Strong level of creativity in designing and editing content - the demonstrated ability to take it from idea to execution;
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under multiple, strict deadlines in a fast-paced office environment with the capacity to adapt quickly to major and minor changes in projects and outcomes;
• Ability to work well both independently and in collaboration with staff as a team member;
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and solutions focused approach to challenges and improvements;
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed during peak game and recruiting seasons;
• Must have proven written and oral communications skill;
• Ability to tell stories through a variety of media across multiple platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, sport management or related degree;
• Workplace experience mentoring, overseeing and/or supervising full-time staff;
• Working knowledge of Adobe, Photoshop and Illustrator;
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, including, but not limited to:  cell phone, printer, copy machine, and other related devices. This job requires flexibility and adaptability in schedule and the ability to perform job related duties on short notice.

 Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This position may require frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying material weighing up to 25 pounds; standing up to eight hours each day; and working in all weather conditions.

 Travel

Occasional travel may occur for this position.

 Hours of Work

This is a full-time position.  Days and hours of work will vary based on the needs of the position. Early morning, evening and weekend work maybe required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.       

Compensation:  This position is full-time, FLSA Exempt, with an annual salary of $45,000.

The Perks:

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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