UND Logo
Office Building, Campus, City, Urban, Bench, Person, Gate, Grass, Factory, Lamp

Sports Communication Specialist

  • 496532
  • Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
  • Athletics
  • Athletics
  • Communications
  • Full-time Staff
  • Closing on: Jun 10 2025

Salary/Position Classification

  • $44,000 - $48,048 annual, Exempt
  • 40 hours per week

Purpose of Position

The purpose of the Sports Communication Specialist position is to serve as the direct communications contact for the sports of Men’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Softball. This position will use discretion and independent judgement, and will use creative license to formulate, affect, and implement operating practices related to assigned sports. Invention, imagination, originality, and talent must be exercised by the employee on a daily basis.

The Sports Communication Specialist is a full-time position within the athletic communications department and reports directly to the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Content. Must have commitment to compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as Communications Contact for Men's Basketball Program, Women's Volleyball Program and Softball Program
    • Arrange media requests for coaches and student-athletes
    • Respond to media requests and inquiries in timely fashion
    • Direct press conferences including placement of media backdrops
    • Assist in executing external operations unit promotion of the program (including but not limited to social media, website information such as bios pictures, schedules, production of game notes, game day programs, press releases, game story, post-game content, pre/post season media guides)
    • Update archives for program
    • Assist in content strategy with external operations unit for program
    • Manage press area before, during and after program’s home competitions including leading student-interns and stat crew
    • Build positive relationships with local and regional media members
    • Direct and assign photographers as necessary 
  • Lead and Direct UND Athletic Communications / Lead Point of Contact with Website Host for Assigned Sports / Other Duties
    • Responsible for all communications functions including press releases, stat crew, archives, media advisories, website accuracy/timeliness.
    • Hire, train, supervise, lead, evaluate communication student interns of assigned sports.
    • Provide public relations strategy at request of Director of Athletics or Assistant AD for Communications & Content.
    • Lead athletic department projects that aren’t sport related as requested by Director of Athletics or Assistant AD for Communications & Content.
    • Communicate with website host for updates and changes in timely fashion.
    • Official point of contact for UND athletics coaches of assigned sports and staff for website manners.
    • Other duties as assigned by Assistant AD for Communications & Content and/or Director of Athletics. 

Required Competencies

  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including speaking, writing and editing.
  • Excellent organizational and computer skills.
  • Must have effective professional working relationship with student-athletes, staff, administration, alumni, and general public.
  • Must have a commitment to NCAA compliance and follow all NCAA, conference and UND rules and regulations.
  • Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student athletes including a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree.
  • 2 years of full-time or undergraduate/graduate or internship experience in NCAA Division I, II, IIII, NAIA or NJCAA athletics communications or professional sports.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in desktop publishing.
  • Strong social media presence and demonstrated use of various social channels to include Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • 3 years of full-time experience in NCAA Division I, II, III, NJCAA or NAIA or professional sports.
  • Supervisory experience of graduate assistants, interns, and student assistants & game-day event staff.
  • Experience with SIDEARM CMS.
  • Experience working NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA Men’s or Women’s Basketball.
  • Experience in Adobe Suite with an emphasis on content creation (graphic design, video production, etc).
  • Experience using the following software: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, StatCrew, Microsoft Office.
  • Experience working and/or hosting NCAA championship events.

Please note, all employment postings close at 11:55pm CST.

Position Benefits

Benefits include single or family health care coverage (UND pays the full premium), life insurance, employee assistance program, retirement plans with generous employer contributions, annual & sick leave in addition to 10 paid holidays.

Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

UND also offers an employee tuition waiver and a variety of professional development opportunities.

Find out more about UND's great benefits and perks here!

Want to be notified of similar opportunities?

Not You?

We have emailed you a code to verify your identity. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email in your inbox.

Thank you for your interest in applying to the University of North Dakota

Other UND Career Openings

Assistant Athletics Director for Business Operations

496576 Grand Forks North Dakota United States Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States Athletics Administrative/Professional, Athletics Full-time Staff
This purpose of the Assistant Athletics Director for Business Operations position is to assist with the financial operations of the UND Athletics Department, lead the day-to-day operations of the business office, and educate staff and coaches on ...

Director of Player Personnel & Office Operations - Men's Hockey

496588 Grand Forks North Dakota United States Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States Athletics Athletics Full-time Staff
This purpose of the Director of Player Personnel & Office Operations - Men's Hockey position is to assist the Men’s Hockey coaching staff with recruiting, events, planning and administrative tasks while adhering to all NCHC and NCAA compliance gui...

UND Athletics Marketing Coordinator

496591 Grand Forks North Dakota United States Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States Athletics Marketing Part-time Staff
The Marketing Coordinator will assist in the Athletic Department’s external operations mission to provide service and content by engaging fans, media and recruits in a manner that positively impacts our university while generating revenue and inte...

Apply Now

Not You?

We have emailed you a code to verify your identity. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email in your inbox.

Thank you

Not ready to apply now? Fill in the fields below and the job link will be sent to your email!

Not You?

We have emailed you a code to verify your identity. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email in your inbox.

Thank you!

Additional Information

Find out why Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Need help?

Please email the Human Resources Department at UND.humanresources@UND.edu or contact us by phone at 701.777.4226. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation to participate in any portion of the University's employment process, including completion of the online application process, please contact our office in advance of your participation or visit. 

Veteran’s Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or a copy of NGB 22 from National Guard or Reserve (with a unit located in ND) or certification from the applicant's unit command that the individual is expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the uniformed services under other than dishonorable conditions not later than one hundred twenty days after the date of the submission of the certification. If claiming disabled veteran status, proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and a current letter of disability dated within the past year.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three or more finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO Statement

The University of North Dakota is an equal opportunity employer (veteran/disability). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.