The Athletics Communications Director markets and promotes Luther College through its athletic programs, advancing the Luther brand through the stories of its student-athletes and the values that Luther Norse Athletics brings to the student experience, the campus, and the community. The Athletics Communications Director fulfills the mission-critical functions of a Sports Information Director for NCAA Division III teams and other programs in the Luther athletics department, including record keeping, website management, broadcast management, and multimedia production. The Athletics Communications Director collaborates with the Marketing and Communications team to promote Luther Norse Athletics through advertising and sponsorships. The Athletics Communications Director supervises, directs, and mentors the athletics communications fellow, the athletics social media team, and a robust team of student workers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee and execute media relations for athletics, covering student-athlete achievements, varsity programs, and special events.
- Maintain and develop the athletics website (managed on Sidearm, Luther’s athletic website vendor), with coordination and support from the Marketing and Communications marketing operations team.
- Supervise and direct the athletics social media team, in coordination with the Marketing and Communications social media specialist.
- Oversee the production of game programs and recruiting brochures, with coordination and support from the Marketing and Communications creative team.
- At home NCAA intercollegiate athletic events, manage or direct the management of the scoreboard, music, video board, PA announcer, and live streaming. Compile in-game statistics and transfer completed game files to the American Rivers Conference office and the NCAA.
- Coordinate with the campuswide Marketing and Communications team by participating in team leader meetings and departmental events, coordinating with and contributing to the department’s work and budget planning, coordinating with the executive director and creative director on brand standards and strategic planning for Luther Norse Athletics marketing and promotion.
- Seek opportunities to collaborate with local community groups to elevate Luther’s athletic events and build the fan base.
- Coordinate with and direct visual media staff or other photographers to procure necessary photography of events and student-athletes.
- Meet regularly with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and assist in the organization of student athlete recognition ceremonies.
- Co-chair the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervise and direct the athletics communications fellow and the athletics social media team.
- Supervise and train a student work study staff of 14-21 students who are essential in covering Luther athletic events, including operating in-game statistical programs, submitting post-game files to the conference and NCAA, operating video streaming equipment, editing photos, writing news releases, and staffing athletic events.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: 3 years’ experience in the sports information/athletics communications field at the professional or graduate student level.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning skills.
- Mastery of in-game statistical programs required by NCAA, such as Genius Live Stats and Stat Crew; NCAA statistical policies and guidelines; as well as NCAA statistician manuals for all sports.
- Supervisory and student mentoring experience preferred.
- Basic software skills in the Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat; Excel and Microsoft Word required.
- Video streaming (BlueFrame is used at Luther) and athletic photography experience preferred.
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends of the college
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Flexibility to work on weekends and evenings required in accordance with athletic season schedules.
- Combination of indoor desk environment and outdoor work environments in diverse weather conditions.
- Lifting and carrying equipment of up to 20 pounds.
- Walking, standing, and climbing stairs.
- Smoke Free Campus
Luther College offers an excellent benefit package including competitive health insurance premiums, generous retirement contributions, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and tuition benefits for employee, spouse and dependents.
Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. We value the input of multiple viewpoints and perspectives to create an academic community rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity. Candidates are encouraged to identify their strengths or experiences that will contribute to this goal.
To apply, please click on the blue “Apply for Job” button and upload a resume and cover letter.