Upper Midwest HERC

The Director of Athletic Communications (DAC) leads and directs all aspects of the sports information office for a NCAA Division III athletic program. The DAC is responsible for implementing a comprehensive athletics communications plan to enhance the exposure of Cougar Athletics. The DAC coordinates Cougar Athletics communication including schedules, game web casts, competition results and statistics, athlete/coach profiles, awards, service and interest stories. The DAC provides timely, accurate information to meet the needs of Cougar fans, build campus and community interest, and tell the UMN Morris athletics story. The DAC works in collaboration with Communications and Marketing staff to advance the Cougar Athletics mission and the campus' mission, vision and branding.

This position will be in person on the Morris Campus. This is a 10 month position.

 

The Director of Athletic Communications will:

• Provide strategic direction for and maintain a comprehensive athletics communications program, including the Cougar Athletics website (including current information for all sports, timely information on competition results; "meet the team" information on student-athletes; athlete, coach and staff profiles; service, interest, and student outcomes stories), collaborating with Communications staff to meet campus web design, content, graphics, and quality standards.
• Oversee all social media marketing platforms (e.g. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, SnapChat).  Produce videos and interviews with student-athletes and coaches.
• Supervise game day webcasting, programs, setup and personnel operating the scorer's table (UMN Morris and hosted high school events), game statistics, and timely communication of results on the athletics website.
• Oversee all athletics statistical compilation and reporting all scores and statistics to the conference and the NCAA. (On occasion, the DAC may be asked to serve as game manager in the absence of the Athletic Director, Assistant ADs, and Senior Woman Administrator).
• Manage nominations for student-athlete of the week recognition and conference, regional and national end of the year awards.
• Build a talented, diverse, and inclusive Sports Information team; supervise a part-time Sports Information assistant, student interns, and game day staff (e.g. scorer's table, statistics).
• Establish and maintain good communication with radio, print and electronic media representatives. Host media for high school tournament broadcasts.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Communications and Marketing staff to a) enhance the visibility of the Cougar Athletic program in the conference, state and nationally, b) advance the Morris mission, vision and branding, c) develop and implement printed and online materials aligned with Athletics design standards and UMN Morris communications protocols.
• Coordinate all major news releases with Communications and Student Affairs (e.g. championship competitions, coaching appointments, NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship awards). 
• Provide student-learning opportunities (e.g. sports journalism internships, employment, directed studies; and Sport Studies & Athletics courses â“ for candidates with a Masters in a related field).
• Maintain a permanent record of sports statistics, rankings, awards, photos, trophies; oversee sports information technology; and manage the sports information budget.

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• Bachelor's degree with 4 years of professional experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong technical skills

A Masters degree is preferred. The preferred candidate will bring demonstrated effectiveness in sports information; a commitment to studentsâ™ athletic, academic, and life success; the demonstrated ability to build, motivate and retain a diverse and inclusive team with sensitivity to individuals of all cultural backgrounds; and the capacity to be a visible and engaging leader and advocate for the program. Experience and skill with game management and communication tools (e.g. Microsoft Word, Photoshop, StatCrew, social media, Google tools) is preferred.

The successful candidate will be self-directed and motivated, and bring skills needed to advance Cougar Athletics and the university.

About University of Minnesota Morris

The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) provides a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship.As a public land-grant institution, UMM is a center for education, culture, and research for the region, nation, and world. UMM is committed to outstanding teaching, dynamic learning, innovative faculty and student scholarship and creative activity, and public outreach. Our residential academic setting fosters collaboration, diversity, and a deep sense of community.

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