Director of Athletic Communications

Job Title:  Director of Athletic Communications

Department:  Athletics

Position Reports to (Position Title): Deputy Athletic Director / COO

Effective Date:  July 1, 2026

Position Class (Exempt or Non-Exempt): Exempt

Position Type (Full Time or Part Time): Full-time

Is this a Primary or Additional Position:  Primary

Job Title:  Director of Athletic Communications

Department:  Athletics

Position Reports to (Position Title): Deputy Athletic Director / COO

Effective Date:  July 1, 2026

Position Class (Exempt or Non-Exempt): Exempt

Position Type (Full Time or Part Time): Full-time

Is this a Primary or Additional Position:  Primary

Job Summary

The position serves as the primary sports information director and media contact for three to four sports. These responsibilities include cultivation and direct oversight of the student worker staff, updating the athletic department’s official website, maintaining all relevant statistical data, promoting assigned sports through all relevant channels and facilitating positive press coverage with members of the local and national media.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assigned Athletics Communications Professional Staff, Graduate Assistants and Student Interns

Duties/Responsibilities

• Represent Jacksonville University and the Athletic Department in a positive manner to other schools, and the greater Jacksonville. Represent the athletic department and university in a professional manner at various internal and external functions and in working with internal and external constituencies, including but not limited to the media and general public
• Lead and manage assigned professional staff members of the athletic communications and creative services departments
• Build and implement a student internship program.
• Maintain positive relationships with members of the local and national media (earned media)
• Field and facilitate interview requests
• Pitch stories
• Provide appropriate gameday accommodations
• Use creative, innovative approach to generate positive promotion of sport programs
• Cultivation and oversight of student-worker staff, scheduling communications-assigned gameday staffing, educating them on all platforms in use by the communications staff and preparing them to execute any and all gameday tasks as assigned
• Recording and organizing statistical and biographical data for assigned sports
• Updating official website (judolphins.com)
• Serve to communicate official policies of the athletic department to JU’s fans, alumni, students and campus community.
• Serve as the sole liaison to local and national media in attendance at home events for assigned sports
• Responsible for game-day operations of selected sporting events
• Travel to conference tournament and other games as necessary
• Work within the department to cultivate positive relationships with the administration
• Serve as the point of contact for all communications related aspects of hosting or attending NCAA postseason events participated in by assigned teams
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence a variety of stakeholders.
• Develop effective working relationships with coaches and other members of the Athletic Department and throughout the University.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficient with personal computers, including the entire suite of Microsoft Office Applications, Adobe Creative Cloud, and others as required.
• Ability to lead, manage, coach, and mentor people assigned to administrative functions within the department.
• Strong working knowledge of and proficiency in the use of social media platforms including but not limited to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and more.
• Proficiency with Stat Crew and NCAA Live Stats statistical software
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, develop, and evaluate staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must be highly motivated, detail oriented, with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Experience with computer software applications preferred.
• Highly passionate about their personal and professional growth

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree required. Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration or Sports Management is highly desirable. Advanced Degree is preferred.
2. An understanding of NCAA rules and regulations is required.
3. Previous supervisory experience is preferred.
4. Minimum Work Experience: 
   1. 2-3 years of experience in athletic department or related area
   2. Demonstrated ability to work with others
   3. Ability to successfully balance and manage multiple tasks in an active, fast-paced environment
   4. Excellent oral, written, and computer skills

Physical Requirements

Be able to lift 10-20 pounds of equipment for game day operations (printers, cd players, boxes of printed material, etc…)

Work Conditions: 

Work is conducted primarily in an office environment, however attendance at athletic and other University events is required.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs. 

To Apply:

Please provide your resume along with your JU application.

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