The Director of Athletics Communications is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the department. This includes using and updating necessary systems and processes to support athletics communications from the national office for the regular season and national championships of 28 different sports. This role is responsible for overseeing, planning, organizing and directing athletics communications including press releases, website updates, general features, statistics, ratings, and social media, to generate social media coverage and earned media opportunities of our national championships and related elements. The Director of Athletics Communications will also work closely with external partners and the championships department on the implementation of the broadcasting plan for national championships.
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provide oversight to Athletics Communications personnel including hiring, training, day-to-day leadership and performance management related tasks for the department
Direct annual departmental goal setting, budgeting and forecasting processes for the department and cross-functional alignment of shared goals. Responsible for creating processes and forums to drive achievement of goals and budget compliance
Oversight of department and overall organization and management of athletics communications including media coordination, publicity, and marketing work including press books, media packets and materials to support all championship and emerging sports (utilizing outside resources, as needed)
Oversee the broadcasting and video streaming elements of NAIA championships, including the coordination between the NAIA-approved production companies and the NAIA’s media partners
Collaborate with the Director of Championships on relevant planning aspects for championship events.
Establish and maintain working relationships with local, regional and national media representatives and is responsible for sports-related media releases
Oversee and manage public relations, social media, overall communication strategy and AC manager for Men’s Basketball Championship
NAIA liaison with NAC Rules, Awards and Statistics Selection Committee
Oversee NAIA sports history and record-keeping of all championship statistics and history
Provide support to the NAIA Sports Information Directors of America (NAIA-SIDA) and other professional organizations.
Expectations:
Work evenings and weekends as needed to fulfill duties of AC department
Travel 50 days per year
The position is located in the KC metro area
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in sports information, sport management, journalism, public relations or related field required.
Minimum 5 years in sports information field included demonstrated experience with broadcasting / video streaming, website, ratings and stats, and sports information
Experience leading a department in related field
Ability to engage with intercollegiate athletics media, professional organizations, and industry influencers
Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing and public speaking
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs dedicated to championships in balance with the overall college educational experience. Each year more than 83,000 NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports, earn over $1.3 billion in scholarships, and compete for a chance to participate in 29 national championships.