Assistant or Associate Athletic Director for Communications

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The University of North Texas competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference. North Texas’ athletic programs are classified as NCAA Division I, the largest and highest division among all colleges and universities. The 46,000 square-foot Athletic Center located off South Bonnie Brae Street is the centerpiece of North Texas athletics. Athletics strives to conduct a competitive athletics program that promotes faculty, staff, student and community affiliation and participation with the North Texas Athletics. Provide facilities which attract the highest level of talent and allow student-athletes to perform at the highest level in practice and during competition.

Position Overview

UNT Athletics is seeking an experienced, strategic leader to serve as Assistant or Associate Athletic Director for Communications. Reporting directly to the Senior Associate AD for External Relations, this individual will be the department's lead voice and strategist for Communications, Sports Information, and Media Relations across all Mean Green Athletics. This is a senior communications leadership role responsible for full oversight of the Communications/SID unit, department-wide public relations and crisis communications, and the strategic direction of how UNT Athletics tells its story to fans, media, and the national college athletics landscape.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in in related field and four years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations; strong news judgment and crisis-communications instincts; ability to manage multiple deadlines across sports and seasons simultaneously; strong leadership, writing, and relationship-building skills; sound judgment under the pressure of live events and competing media demands.

• Significant progressive experience in collegiate athletics communications or sports information, including experience leading or supervising staff.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience managing media relationships and crisis communications.
• Ability to work a variable schedule, including evenings, weekends, and travel based on the competition calendar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in journalism, communications, sport management, or a related field.
• Experience at the NCAA Division I FBS level, ideally within a Power Four or Group of Six conference.
• Experience managing a multi-sport communications/SID staff.
• Familiarity with NCAA and conference statistics and reporting platforms.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties

• Strategic Communications & Media Relations • Oversee public relations and crisis management communications for the athletics department. • Identify and implement new and creative strategic communications plans for the department. • Serve as the department's communications and public relations contact for student-athletes, coaches, and administrators with external constituents. • Actively promote and publicize key department and program messages while cultivating relationships with local, regional, and national media. • Fulfill media requests for interviews and information in a thorough and timely manner, developing and maintaining positive relationships with the media that covers Mean Green Athletics.
• Sports Information & Game Day Operations • Provide full oversight of the Communications/SID unit, including staffing, workflow, and quality standards across all sport programs. • Coordinate media operations for home events across assigned sports, including reporting game results and ensuring events run efficiently and effectively. • Assist and support other communications staff with media operations for additional events, including home and away contests, as needed. • Produce and oversee press releases for assigned sports efficiently and on deadline, ensuring compliance with conference and NCAA deadlines for information and award nominations. • Maintain permanent record-keeping and historical archives for UNT athletics programs. 
• Leadership & Department Collaboration • Assist the Associate Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Vice President/Director of Athletics, and Senior Associate AD for External Relations with the planning and execution of special projects, events, promotions, and presentations that span communications, marketing, and creative. • Partner closely with marketing, creative services, and broadcast leadership to ensure a consistent, elevated brand voice across every fan and media touchpoint. • Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing communications and sports information staff. 

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Lifting and moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Environmental Hazards

Elevated temperatures.
Low temperatures.
Noisy environments.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Work Schedule

Varies based on segment of the season and assigned sports.

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.