Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

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.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications, The Assistant Director, Athletics Communication is responsible for all communications initiatives for their assigned sports, and actively supports overall department messaging and initiatives among a wide variety of external media and stakeholders. This position has a range of responsibilities, which include: managing social media strategy, proactive media pitching and the facilitation of interview requests, writing, editing, and management of digital content, gameday media operations oversight, graphic design, and department archiving.

The Assistant Director will serve as a forward-thinking expert in the field that actively keeps abreast of trends and tools and helps educate the broader communications team to identify and seize opportunities that arise.

Serve as the sport program lead for multiple sports, managing content generation and media relations, and including the following responsibilities:

• Serve as lead manager for all coverage pertaining to assigned sport teams, including social media, digital media via GoPrincetinTigers.com. creative content, and other emerging content mediums.
• Act as point of contact for all strategic decision making in regard to sport-related social media. Actively lead and implement ongoing social and digital media strategic plans for assigned sports. Provide direct oversight and guidance pertaining to all social and digital media content, including both evergreen creative content and in-game coverage, for assigned sports.
• Demonstrate positive working relationships with local, regional and national media covering Princeton Athletics through interpersonal communications, email, mobile and use of program and personal social media platforms; serving as media relations liaison for assigned sports.
• Serve as primary editor and manager of assigned sport pages on GoPrincetonTigers.com including all maintenance, content and updates. Write and edit various digital communication materials including but not limited to: feature stories, game previews and recaps, press releases, record books, student-athlete bios. A primary focus on message delivery, user experience, time on website/ length of content and platform appropriateness is expected.
• Design and distribute printed materials as required including game notes, lineup charts and postseason media guides.
• Design digital communications game materials as applicable for home events.
• Produce original video content such as interviews, player profiles, Q&As, highlights, podcasts and more.
• Work at home events, providing oversight of all media operations including stat crew management, in-game social media oversight and press box operations. This includes all home events for assigned sports as well as other special events as required.
• Schedule, train, supervise and coordinate game day communications staff for selected sports. This includes photographers, videographers, and stat crew inputters and callers. Assist Marketing and Operations staff in recruitment and management of public address announcers as needed.
• Work events on nights and weekends, as well as represent the department at away games and postseason championship competition as required.
• Assist with development and implementation of strategic communications, supporting department wide content generation, working proactively while demonstrating cross-functional collaboration with External Relations Team.
• Provide exemplary customer service to internal and external constituencies.
• Commitment to values that define the Department’s mission of Education Through Athletics culture.
• Adhere to Ivy League, ECAC and NCAA rules and regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Sports Management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in educational, corporate, or athletic publications and public relations.
• Knowledge of the digital and social landscapes and ability to generate successful social content; must be active in social media.
• Experience in creative layout and design, writing and editing.
• Strong working knowledge of graphic-related software, web-related software and statistical software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with exceptional interpersonal skills with a high level of energy, optimism, and flexibility.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with various constituencies including media members, administration, alumni, coaches, students and colleagues.
• Ability to create promotional materials that effectively attracts the target audience in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to organize, manage and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and to skillfully distill/synthesize emerging information to senior level staff and coaches.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends and evenings is required.
• Familiarity with a variety of sports.
• Ability to uphold the commitment to Department of Athletics mission of Education Through Athletics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graphic design and/or multimedia storytelling and editing experience (i.e. Premier, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, mobile solutions) strongly preferred.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer 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.