Assistant Athletic Director for Media and Communications

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Lenoir-Rhyne University (Hickory, NC) an NCAA Division II member, seeks qualified candidates for its Assistant Athletic Director for Media and Communications.  The position coordinates the publicity and promotion of the Athletics department, including press releases, publications, statistical information, community interest stories, maintenance of the Athletics website, produces and integrates digital and visual graphic content into the media and communications strategy and manages social media channels. Serves as media liaison between the Athletic program and local media as well as the South Atlantic Conference and NCAA. The position supports the department’s efforts to provide alumni, fans, prospective students, and the general public an increased awareness of LR’s athletic programs. Evening and weekend work required as necessary with some travel expected.

Duties and tasks include, but not limited to

• Recruits and supervises all media and communications staff including graduate assistants, interns, work study students and game day staff.
• Remains current with and upholds the rules and regulations of the NCAA, South Atlantic Conference and the University.
• Oversees media and communications functions for all home sponsored athletic events and away contests as necessary. 
• Oversees and administers the statistical tracking and reporting of all LR intercollegiate athletic events, ensuring a high level of accuracy. Reporting scores and results to the SAC, NCAA, coaches associations and other organizations. 
• Develops and updates media communications policy and procedures. Reviews and revises structure, procedures of the athletic media and communications office as necessary. 
• Develops, implements and integrates a comprehensive communications plan with the overall athletic department marketing and promotional strategy.
• Coordinates the athletics media and communications office with University marketing and public relations. 
• Oversees the administration of the athletic web site including all content management. 
• Responsible for budget management over the communications unit. 
• Nominating coaches and student-athletes for various awards at the conference, regional and national levels with attention to nomination deadlines.
• Serve as a key person on the athletic department’s admin staff reporting directly to and working closely with the Associate AD for External Operations and the Deputy AD. 
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills and abilities 

• Bachelors degree required 
• The position must be able to develop a strategic communications plan in line with current best practice while incorporating new media technologies.
• Three years or more of related experiences in athletic communications at the collegiate level and demonstration of a comprehensive understanding of athletic media relations with outstanding writing, communication and interpersonal skills, a working knowledge of Stat Crew or other industry standard in-game statistical programs; proficient in desktop publishing and website management; proficient with social media, familiarity with video and audio production.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) Software or similar and Microsoft Office. Working knowledge of new media, including tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
• Personnel management skills, including personnel decisions, coordination, scheduling, delegation of duties, training and mentoring and supervision of college work-study, graduate and undergraduate assistants.
• Ability to respond quickly and deal successfully under pressure; must be able to meet deadlines and coordinate multiple tasks while working under minimal supervision with the ability to use independent judgment.  

While completing the application process, candidates will be prompted to submit a letter of application and a resume (including the names and addresses of three references) at the following link, https://www.lr.edu/work-at-lr. The application letter should discuss specifically how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position and of Lenoir-Rhyne University. The university’s mission, vision and values statements may be reviewed at: http://www.lr.edu/about. Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Any questions or inquiries regarding the position or the search process should be directed to Justin Hay, deputy AD for external relations at justin.hay@lr.edu. 

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with 53 undergraduate degree programs and over 30 graduate degree programs. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, LR enrolls more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students and has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth. Additionally, LR awards more than $22 million in merit scholarships, and nearly 99 percent of our students are awarded financial aid. LR’s main campus is located in Hickory, North Carolina, a town with a population of over 40,000, where both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. The University also offers graduate degree programs on its campuses in Asheville, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina. The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is also located in Columbia. The LR community strives to support an inclusive campus that promotes a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment. LR students have the opportunity to participate in more than 70 clubs and student organizations designed to develop a sense of self-worth, responsibility, and accountability and to engage students in active service to the world. Known as the Bears, the University’s athletic teams have been a longstanding source of pride and a vital part of student life. LR’s NCAA Division II athletic program includes 23 intercollegiate athletic teams, 11 for men and 12 for women, which compete in the South Atlantic Conference. 

Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne promotes a diverse campus open to people from all religious backgrounds. It is an EOA/AA employer under all applicable civil rights law. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Apply