A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Athletic Communications (SID) professional serves as a primary storyteller and media relations contact for assigned sport programs while helping elevate the department's digital voice. This role leads day-to-day communications strategy for assigned teams (track and field and cross country, secondary men's basketball) across earned media, social media, and owned platforms, and partners closely with creative/content teams to produce timely, accurate, on-brand content. The SID protects and strengthens the reputation of the program by delivering fast, precise information; maintaining records and statistics; and ensuring a high standard of professionalism with student-athletes, coaches, media, and campus partners.

1) Media Relations & Traditional SID Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary media contact for assigned sports, including pitching stories, responding to requests, coordinating interviews, and managing credentials.
• Prepare and distribute press releases, media advisories, game notes, quotes, recaps, and feature content.
• Manage game-day press operations: media will-call, press box setup, postgame interview logistics, and press conference execution.
• Maintain accurate statistics, records, rosters, bios, and historical archives; ensure consistency across all platforms.
• Provide communications counsel to coaches and staff; help prepare student-athletes and coaches for media engagements.
• Monitor coverage, compile clips/metrics, and share insights with sport administrators and communications leadership.

2) Social Media Strategy & Execution 

• Plan and execute social content for assigned sports in alignment with department brand standards, conference/NCAA rules, and institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with social strategy leads to build weekly/monthly content calendars tied to competition, recruiting windows (as applicable), milestones, and storytelling moments.
• Write and publish platform-native copy (X/Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/Threads as applicable), optimizing for tone, clarity, accessibility, and engagement.
• Provide real-time coverage on game days (score updates, highlight captions, storylines), coordinating with photo/video to ensure quick turnaround.
• Use analytics tools to track performance (reach, engagement, video views, follower growth) and adjust strategy based on insights.
• Support crisis/issue response by escalating sensitive items quickly and aligning messaging with communications leadership.

3) Collaboration with Content/Creative Teams

• Work hand-in-hand with creative services (photo/video/design) and central content teams to develop story concepts, scripts, interview prompts, and production plans.
• Translate complex sport information into compelling narratives and content briefs for designers and producers.
• Ensure factual accuracy in graphics, videos, captions, and long-form features (stats, names, records, historical context).
• Coordinate content capture needs: shot lists, interview scheduling, practice access, travel capture plans, and post-production priorities.
• Contribute to larger department campaigns (season launches, rivalry weeks, postseason pushes, NIL/brand-building features where appropriate).

4) Web, Publications & Digital Platforms 

• Maintain sport webpages (bios, schedules, recaps, notes, record books) and ensure timely updates.
• Produce or coordinate media guides, preseason capsules, game programs, and postseason materials (digital-first preferred).
• Support email/newsletter or app content distribution where used.

5) Operational Excellence, Compliance & Student-Athlete Experience

• Ensure adherence to NCAA/conference/institutional policies (credentials, statistics, postseason procedures, content access, etc.).
• Build strong rapport with student-athletes and staff while maintaining professionalism and appropriate boundaries.
• Provide a high-quality media and fan experience at home events; assist with special events and community initiatives.

6) Leadership & Team Support (as applicable)

• Mentor student assistants/interns (writing, stats, social coverage, clip logging, transcription).
• Support department-wide communications needs, including cross-coverage during peak seasons and major events.
   

• 2-5 years of relevant work experience in collegiate athletic communications (SID) or equivalent communications experience with demonstrated ability to perform core responsibilities.
• Proven success working within large, complex organizations and collaborating effectively across teams (sport programs, creative/content, marketing, digital, external relations).
• Outstanding writing, editing, organizational, and interpersonal skills; ability to perform under frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated digital fluency: strong understanding of social media platforms, content formats, and best practices for sports storytelling; comfort publishing in real time.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite/Canva.
• Confidence and familiarity with web technologies and CMS tools (e.g., SIDEARM or similar).
• Advanced knowledge of in-game statistics operations and tools (e.g., Genius Sports/NCAA Live Stats or sport-specific platforms); thorough understanding of sport statistical rules.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, sport management, marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing demands, and maintain exceptional attention to detail.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to work extended and irregular hours (nights/weekends/holidays) and travel with assigned sport(s) as required.
  
   

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off 
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting 
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Long-term disability coverage 
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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