"Director of Athletic Communications"

Location 

Westerville, OH

Job Type

Administrative Staff

Job Number

00316

Division

Student Affairs

Department

Athletics

Opening Date

06/25/2024

DESCRIPTION

Otterbein University is seeking a Director of Athletic Communications who will be responsible for all media relations, statistical record keeping and reporting, and managing athletic communications event coverage for Otterbein Athletics. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Athletics.

BENEFITS AT OTTERBEIN 

Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Accrue 4 weeks paid vacation and 10 days paid sick time per year  
• 12 paid holidays plus bonus days (including Christmas Eve through New Year's Day)  
• Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner  
• Defined contribution retirement plan  
• Tuition benefit for employees and their dependents  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• and much more

For information on Otterbein University athletics, please visit https://otterbeincardinals.com/.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organizes and executes all media relations for men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletics.
• Regularly supplies releases and statistics to all appropriate organizations including but not limited to the OAC, NCAA and media concerning all teams with varsity status in men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletics.
• Maintains athletic website, OtterbeinCardinals.com and departmental social media outlets.
• Updates schedules and rosters for media and sports conferences (OAC and NCAA) usage. 
• Supervises all Athletics photo services.
• Assists the campus Publications Director as needed in athletics publications design, editing and preparation. 
• Works with the Athletic Director to execute external communication plans and needs as they relate to the media, recruiting, and alumni.
• Supervises the keeping of official university statistics and records for intercollegiate athletics and maintains historical record keeping of these statistics as it relates to each sport program and the department. 
• Hires and supervises appropriate personnel (budget permitting) to work in Athletic Communications.
• Works in collaboration with other campus departments regarding the brand and communications of Otterbein Athletics. 
• May be required to drive team and coaches to program related activities.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with local freelancers to assist the operation when needed. Host, direct and support these freelancers on site and coordinate their compensation.
• Effectively manage event coverage as primary representative from Athletic Communications – before, during and after both home/away contests. Collaborate accordingly with opponents, support special initiatives that coincide with games, oversee press box and other media areas, achieve post-game checklist in a timely manner, etc.
• Other duties may be assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assistant Director of Athletic Communications (non-directly); Students, GA (budget depending)

QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: bachelor’s degree required from a regionally accredited college or university; experience with media relations and photography required; web site maintenance and statistical record keeping preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written English skills including grammar.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Must be competent in general math.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Preferred experience with Word, Excel, Adobe Suite, Statcrew, NCAA Genius, SIDEARM, Presto and other NCAA uploading/database systems. Must possess knowledge of general office procedures; must possess strong interpersonal skills; must take pride in and be thorough in quality of work produced; must be able to use general office equipment including office PC, copier, telephone, etc.

REASONING ABILITY: Must possess excellent attention to details; must be a team player and interact collegially with co-workers and other constituencies. Must possess excellent customer service skills. Must possess strong organizational skills. Ability to exercise initiative. Must be able to work independently and must maintain confidential information.

MISSION CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

• COMMUNICATION

Organizes ideas in a clear, logical flow that can easily be understood. Demonstrates a willingness to share ideas and encourages other to do the same. Demonstrates active listening skills by summarizing or paraphrasing understanding of what speakers say in questions or comments to verify understanding and prevent miscommunications.

• CUSTOMER SERVICE

Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions. Develops and sustains productive customer relationships. Presents a professional, positive manner with customers.

• PRIORITY SETTING

Seeks to accomplish critical tasks with measurable results. Does not allow mistakes, failure and other personal crises to undermine results. Keeping on point and timely decision making.

• BEING OPEN AND RECEPTIVE

Composure; humor; listening; patience; and personal disclosure.

• DEALING WITH TROUBLE

Command skills; conflict management; confronting direct reports; managerial courage; and standing alone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, reach and use repetitive motions of hands and wrists. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds and occasionally push and/or pull up to 20 pounds. This position requires close vision. Must be able to meet regular and predictable attendance standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting; 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.