University of Massachusetts-Amherst - Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Athletics is accepting applications from qualified applicants for a Staff Assistant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Member of the Department’s senior management team.  Oversees all aspects of an athletic media relations unit, ensuring the maintenance and adherence to the philosophies and regulations of the Conference, NCAA, University, State, and federal entities.  Oversee the creation and implementation of a comprehensive media relations strategy for the Athletic Department that focuses on optimizing the local, regional, and national exposure of the UMass Athletics Department.  Responsible for the overall development, supervision, and administration of the athletic media relations unit for the Athletic Department.  Member of the Department’s Senior Management Team:  advises the senior management team on all matters relating to athletic media relations; develops relevant policies and presents them to the Senior Management Team; advises the Athletic Director on department matters; supervise sports as assigned by the Athletic Director.  Oversees all aspects of an athletic media relations unit, ensuring the maintenance and adherence to the philosophies and regulations of the Conference, NCAA, and University:  compliance with all federal, state, university laws including FERPA and HIPPA; and the maintenance of the highest level of confidence in regards to the various confidential information that the media relations staff is exposed to in regards to student-athletes and coaches.  Oversee the creation and implementation of a comprehensive media relations strategy for the Athletics Department that focuses on optimizing the local, regional, and national exposure of the UMass Athletics Department which therefore helps promote the overall University:  monitors, plans, organizes and directs all department media relations/public relations activities, press conferences, media functions, feature and news stories, photography, statistics, event operations, publications, interaction with local, regional and national media outlets.  Responsible for the dispersal of all media and public relations materials including but not limited to:  the official UMassAthletics.com website, press releases, media advisories, preseason guides and postseason tournament guides; develops and maintains lines of communication between the Athletic Media Relations Office and the University News Office and other relevant agencies regarding student-athletes athletic achievements and results, Department achievements and initiatives, and other relevant information; develops and maintains on-going relationships with national and regional media members, Athletic Department staff and coaches and student-athletes; serve as the primary contact for the Athletic Department in relation to all athletic public affairs.  This includes working to ensure a positive image of all UMass athletics programs by serving as the liaison between the Athletic Department and its various publics: the media, University staff, students, alumni, supporters, business and political communities and the general public.  Establish personal contacts and provide information as required; maintains and ensures the accuracy of the entire history and archives of the Athletic Department spanning more than 100 years.  Responsible for the overall development, supervision, and administration of the athletic media relations unit for the Athletic Department:  oversees and assigns staff duties and responsibilities; evaluates three full time media relations’ staff members annually; oversees the overall development and growth of the UMass Athletics website, which receives more than 1,000,000 users per month; develops and administers media training for all student-athletes; oversees the proper administration of this training to student-athletes by the media relations staff; works with the Business Office on developing, monitoring, and ensuring that all fiscal matters handled by the media relations staff adheres to the assigned media relations budget, is consistent with procurement and University regulations and is within NCAA regulations; ensures that media relations staff fulfills their responsibility for hiring, training, and supervising all media game staff necessary for home and away contests.  This includes but is not limited to statisticians, photographer, etc.; oversee the quality on-time design and production of all Athletic Department publications including but not limited to: game programs, scorecards, and various other materials.  Ensures all projects provide consistent and positive images in compliance with all NCAA and University guidelines; oversees the quality on-time design and production of all Athletic Department image enhancement initiatives and other special projects assigned by the Athletics Director such as banner projects at athletics facilities and venues.  Ensures all projects provide consistent and positive images in compliance with all NCAA and University guidelines; ensures the accuracy and timeliness of all disseminated information.  Oversee and create the Athletic Department Annual Report for the Board of Trustees, President, Chancellor and Athletic Council.  Keeps abreast of current trends and developments in the field through publications, seminars, and conferences.  Responsible for strict adherence to NCAA, conference, and University rules and regulations.  Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required; Master’s degree preferred.  Minimum of five years’ experience in athletic communications, media relations, public relations, or applicable field.    Excellent skills in writing, editing and creating publications.  Experience maintaining an athletically related web site.  Strong/established media contacts preferred.  Experience working with various computer graphic, design, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, State Crew products, Netitor, Final Cut Pro, HTML, Windows/Mac OS preferred.  Previous management and supervisory experience required; experience in supervising fulltime employee preferred.  Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with various constituencies.  Ability to work effectively with diverse user groups.  Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.  Ability to work a varied schedule including nights and weekends.  The successful candidate will be subject to a background check, including a criminal history check.

SALARY RANGE:  Hiring Range $52,500 - $66,300; Normal Starting Salary $52,500 -$59,400

Submit cover letter and resume, and names and telephone numbers of three references.  Send application materials by August 18, 2011.  Send materials to:

Search #R41813
Employment Office
167 Whitmore Administration Building
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-8170

The University of Massachusetts is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.