Senior Associate Athletics Director of Strategic Communications

Overview

The Senior Associate Athletics Director of Strategic Communications (Executive Director) oversees all aspects of communication for Utah State Athletics, including the development and execution of communication strategies. This position is responsible for developing a consistent internal and external brand messaging strategy that is reflected in all communications on behalf of Utah State Athletics.

Responsibilities

Roles:

• Leader: Provides daily leadership and supervision to the strategic communications and media relations staff.
• Strategist: Develops and executes comprehensive communication strategies for Utah State Athletics.
• Collaborator: Works with various departments and external partners to align communication efforts and maximize the experience for stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Communication Strategy: Develop and implement a strategic communications plan for all aspects of the athletics department. Work collaboratively with Utah State University Marketing and Communications to ensure communication strategies and execution meet the university-wide communications strategy, plan, and standards.
• Crisis Communication: In coordination with USU’s central communications team, oversees and maintains a crisis communications plan, serving as the department spokesperson when necessary. Partners with Athletics Director and members of the executive staff on sensitive information needing news releases and crisis communication.
• Media Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with the media to promote the achievements of Athletics and its programs. Build and maintain partnerships by cultivating relationships with campus, local, regional, and national media to tell Utah State Athletics’ story collaboratively. Lead efforts to proactively promote student-athletes' stories.
• Internal Collaboration: Create a culture of collaboration between strategic communications and other external facing units within athletics to maximize the experience for student-athletes, fans, alumni, and students. Work in partnership with the Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Fan Engagement, to maximize revenue, elevate game experience, and ensure alignment of public relations messaging. Work in partnership with the Deputy Athletics Director for External Engagement to execute the external affairs vision.
• Message Development: Create key messages and talking points for the Athletics Director and executive staff. Lead all communications, public relations, and messaging efforts for Utah State Athletics, including daily PR and messaging needs of the head football coach, basketball coaches, and additional sports coaches based on success and need.
• Budget Management: Direct, oversee, and approve the day-to-day activities and budget for strategic communications. Work within Athletics Department goals and values for yearly financial planning principles to best achieve maximum storytelling
• Media Training: Provide guidance and assist in media training to coaches, student-athletes, and staff regarding media interactions and best practices.
• Compliance: Ensure all communications comply with USU, NCAA, and Mountain West Conference policies, procedures, bylaws, and regulations.
• Team Supervision: Supervises a staff of athletic communication specialists
• Other: Performs other related duties as assigned

Accountabilities:

• Reporting Line: Deputy Athletics Director for External Engagement
• Brand Consistency: Ensure consistent internal and external brand messaging for Utah State Athletics.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Deliver key messages to internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• Media Coverage: Generate positive media coverage and highlight significant achievements.
• Media Requests: Coordinates all media requests to provide accurate information to our media partners and ensures timely news releases, press conferences, and statements on behalf of Utah State Athletics.
• Crisis Management: Effectively manage and communicate during crises.
• Budget Adherence: Maintain and manage the strategic communications budget responsibly.

Authorities:

• Decision-Making: Authority to make decisions regarding communication strategies and media relations.
• Budget Approval: Authority to approve expenditures within the strategic communications budget.
• Spokesperson: Serve as the official spokesperson for Utah State Athletics when necessary.
• Media Coordination: Authority to coordinate and approve media requests and press releases.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications or related field plus six years of