Assistant Athletics Director - Communications

JOB SUMMARY  

The Assistant Athletics Director for Communications serves on the department administrative team and is responsible for the coverage of the program’s 20 varsity sports. This includes event coverage, recording of statistics, feature writing, game recaps, computer operations, publication design, website updates, general office duties, and other duties consistent with the ever-evolving athletic communications industry.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Athletic Director

Supervisory Responsibility: Student Employees, Graduate Assistants  

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following: 

• Assist in the maintaining of a professional athletic communications department at the direction of the Athletics Director
• Assist in preparing all printed and digital material for Southeastern University Athletics including, but not limited to; game programs, media guides, and schedule cards
• Assist in maintaining an accurate athletic website and social media presence for Southeastern University; timely game updates, human interest features, video highlight packages, accurate bios, etc
• Assist in production of in-game broadcast including but not limited to play-by-play duties of select events
• Assist in gathering and storing quality athletic photographs for the Southeastern University Athletic Department; including but not limited to game coverage and scheduling photo shoot days with each program for head shots, team photos, seniors, and team captains
• Assist in reporting scores to the NAIA, Sun Conference, and media affiliates
• Assist in maintaining current, accurate and organized files for assigned sports
  Files should include rosters, schedules, game results, statistical information, historical information and newspaper releases
• Assist in writing and reporting information for all games to local media and serves as a contact person for hometown media of student-athletes
• Responsible for knowing and following appropriate policies and guidelines of the NAIA, Sun Conference, and Southeastern Athletic Department
• Perform all other duties assigned by the Athletics Director

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position.  Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION 

Lakeland Main Campus  

EDUCATION   

Required Education:

Bachelor's in communications, marketing, journalism or other related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's in communications, marketing, journalism or other related field.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE 

Required:

A minimum of three years of collegiate communications or journalism experience required 

Preferred:

Additional experience in athletic administration  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Knowledge of graphic design, publication, and statistical software
• Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve large goals
• Proficiency in strategic planning and systems thinking
• Profession of a personal relationship with Jesus and live a life that reflects that relationship
• Strength of character that will allow them to make sound decisions and keep the department’s goals in line with the philosophy of Southeastern University and the
• Department of Athletics
• Interpersonal skills with large groups and individuals
• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in a variety of circumstances
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

 Preferred:

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. 

• This position is considered non-essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements: 

• Lifting and Moving:  The employee may occasionally need to lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Standing, Sitting, and Walking: The job requires occasional standing, sitting, and walking.
• Hand Use:  The employee will regularly use their hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Vision Requirements: The job requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Other Physical Demands: The employee may occasionally be required to reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Work Environment: The employee may regularly work in outside weather conditions, and the noise level is usually moderate.

Travel:

Up to 25%

Schedule:

Irregular hours involving most weekends. 

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

Up to six months, somewhat dependent on level of experience.  

SAFETY 

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. 
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. 
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. 
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.  Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.  

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.