Senior Associate AD for Communications

EXPIRED

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How to Apply

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.

Summary

The Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications will develop and manage a strategic, innovative, and comprehensive external and internal communications strategy for the Michigan Athletic Department. The Senior Associate Athletic Director will directly manage communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the University of Michigan and its Athletic Department through distribution channels, including internal and external websites, social media outlets, and mobile applications. The Senior Associate Athletic Director will be responsible for developing, integrating, and implementing a broad range of communications and public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of Michigan Athletics and its leadership.

Responsibilities*

60% Communications

• Designs, documents, and implements an innovative, systematic, integrated external communications plan.
• Actively engage, cultivate, and manage national and local media relationships to ensure coverage surrounding activities of all 29 of Michigan's NCAA programs
• Create, implement, and monitor a game-day sports information strategy and process for all 29 of Michigan's NCAA programs.

Apply Now

How to Apply

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.

Summary

The Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications will develop and manage a strategic, innovative, and comprehensive external and internal communications strategy for the Michigan Athletic Department. The Senior Associate Athletic Director will directly manage communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the University of Michigan and its Athletic Department through distribution channels, including internal and external websites, social media outlets, and mobile applications. The Senior Associate Athletic Director will be responsible for developing, integrating, and implementing a broad range of communications and public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of Michigan Athletics and its leadership.

Responsibilities*

60% Communications

• Designs, documents, and implements an innovative, systematic, integrated external communications plan.
• Actively engage, cultivate, and manage national and local media relationships to ensure coverage surrounding activities of all 29 of Michigan's NCAA programs
• Create, implement, and monitor a game-day sports information strategy and process for all 29 of Michigan's NCAA programs.
• Ensure communication strategy is consistent and reflects the department's strategic vision.
• In partnership with the Executive Associate Athletic Director and other members of the leadership team, articulate desired and measurable outcomes for all communication initiatives
• Oversee the creation and adherence to external communications policies and procedures, including but not limited to crisis communication, interview requests, etc.
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed
• Identify challenges and emerging issues, work with the leadership team to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Serve as the Michigan Athletics spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that promote or impact the organization.
• Serves as a liaison to the University Communication Department - build relationships and deliver expertise around athletics processes and practices.
• In partnership with the external relations leadership team, ensure key messages and brand attributes are aligned in all marketing, sponsorship, and ticketing activities and communications.
• Liaison to the Big Ten communications office as well as the Big Ten Network
• Create a strategic process for responding to audience feedback incorporating key messages to strengthen Michigan Athletics' relationship with its key stakeholders.
• Proactively maintains knowledge of current trends in the communication field.
  

25% Team Leadership

• Manages the communication team. This includes providing leadership, setting and evaluating individual goals, developing and sustaining appropriate training, and monitoring team members' primary focus areas.
• Builds and manages a high-functioning team, providing team members with clear roles, responsibilities, and support to help them be successful.
• Summarizes and reports on all communications activities.
• Develops and manages the budget for the communications team.
• Serves as a member of the external relations leadership team to promote a culture of growth and learning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

15% Social

• Monitor technological advancements and recommend innovative communications practices.
• Coordinates the syndication of content across audiences and media outlets
• Oversees online initiatives and redesign efforts
• Build relationships across campus to research and create opportunities for a seamless constituent experience
• Oversees a team of communications professionals that authors, as necessary, editorial content for social media platforms, including but not limited to Instagram, X, and Facebook.
• Oversees web content.
• Reports on the status of web projects to internal stakeholders
  

Required Qualifications*

• This position requires a bachelor's degree with at least seven to 10 years of experience, preferably in higher education (or a comparably complex organization), journalism, communications, marketing, or related fields. An advanced degree is preferred.
• This position requires strong organizational and analytical skills, including the ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans and programs that support the Athletic Department's mission and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of the external relations programs.
• This position requires experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications and media relations program to advance an organization's mission and goals.
• This position requires excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• The individual must possess skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors.
• This position requires extensive writing and editing experience with various print and online communications.
• The individual in this position must generate strategic and creative solutions to advance the department's efforts to maintain and strengthen high-quality relationships with all audiences.
• The individual in this position must have proven skill and ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion, including the ability to build consensus among team members and balance multiple concurrent priorities.
• This position requires working independently and as part of a team.
• The person in this position must be able to use problem-solving and sound judgment in situations requiring independent initiative and tact.
• This position requires high-level experience with social networking tools and various media channels.
• The position requires intermittent travel, nights, and weekends.
  

Additional Information

The University of Michigan Athletic Department is dedicated to building a department culture which demonstrates respect for all, shows compassion for others, and celebrates the differences among our staff, student-athletes, and supporters. We are committed to the hiring and development of diverse staff who contribute to an inclusive environment.

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

Background Screening

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.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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