Senior Associate Director, External Relations

The mission of Princeton University Department of Athletics is to strive for excellence in academics and athletics, while embracing equity in opportunity, good sportsmanship, and ethical conduct.

The Senior Associate Director, External Relations will report to the Ford Family Director of Athletics and will be a member of the department’s senior leadership team. The successful candidate will have oversight of marketing, brand management, ticketing, athletic communications and multimedia and will be responsible for the strategic development and execution of all initiatives within these areas.

• Work collaboratively with the Director of Athletics, members of the department’s senior leadership team and various campus partners to help execute and promote the department’s overall mission of Education through Athletics and Competitive Excellence.
• Management of 4-5 direct reports and a total of 13-15 staff members within the various units.
• Lead, implement, administer and evaluate special projects and services having impact throughout the Department as directed by the Ford Family Director of Athletics.
• Conduct consumer research analysis to identify trends and improve content and audience strategies.
• Work with students through Athletics, Recreation, and Campus Life, providing advisement and support related to various student driven initiatives and activations, including special events and NIL education.
• Represent department in designated roles at league level and with external constituents.
• Facilitate pre-season and standing meetings, annual retreats and applicable training with full-time & part-time coaches & ops directors as required.
• Pursue, develop and maintain positive working relationships with local, regional and national media covering Princeton Athletics.
• Coordinate with the the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and members of communications staff to develop a comprehensive departmental communications strategy, including sports information functions, use of social media, digital media, and creative content.
• Work closely with Associate Director of Athletics for Multimedia and staff on all streaming and broadcast initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Engagement and staff to develop and execute strategy to effectively brand and promote all 37 varsity sports and provide community building and engaging in-game experiences at home contests. This includes oversight of the Athletics Style Guide and serving as a project lead on specific high-level branding projects (facility upgrades and enhancements).
• Engage with the Assistant Director of Athletics for Ticketing and ticketing staff to develop a comprehensive strategy to maximize attendance at ticketed and non-ticketed events as well as development of ticketing strategy for special events and post-season competition.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Athletics for Finance & Administration and the Learfield General Manager to maximize revenue opportunities through the Learfield partnership with Princeton.
• Sport administration oversight of five varsity sports that includes hiring and evaluation of all coaches, regular meetings with head coaches of each program to discuss budgets, scheduling, recruiting, and other programmatic issues as applicable. The sport administrator also serves as a resource for student-athletes, attends home contests and travels for select regular and post-season competition.
• Oversee multiple components of Experience Design planning and development for Athletics and Recreation facility projects, serving as liaison to Project Managers on campus.
• Serve as External Relations liaison to key campus partners; promoting collaboration and establishing standing workflows; advising or responding to questions from other University departments, regarding complex issues or policies impacting brand experience. Utilizing a networked approach to further institutional and departmental missions across platforms.
• Act as one of department’s liaisons with apparel and merchandise partners. Work closely with the University’s Trademarks and Licensing program to maximize strength of visual identity.
• Develop strategy on campus and community outreach to promote programs and further develop brand awareness, working with Princeton Varsity Club, Student-Athlete Experience, Recreation, and others.

•  Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of professional higher education external relations experience or relevant work experience.
•  Strong familiarity with Princeton University and its mission.
• Must be a highly motivated, energetic and team-oriented leader.
• Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with people at all levels of an organization, and to collaborate and influence at a high level.
•  Management experience and ability to lead.
• Exceptional written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in teams, with high personal standards representative of Princeton’s commitment to excellence.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills necessary to set and monitor progress against goals, to develop plans and timelines, and to measure success towards goals.
• Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to produce high-quality and compelling work product under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Commitment to Department of Athletics mission of Education Through Athletics.
• Must have an understanding of, and comply with the rules and regulations of the University, the Ivy League and the NCAA.
• Proficient with MS office products (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and databases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of design programs (i.e. Photoshop, InDesign) preferred.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.