Salary/Position Classification

• $44,300 - $47,436 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite.

Purpose of Position

This position will serve as the direct communications contact for the Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer, and Women's & Men's Tennis programs at the University of North Dakota. 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 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 Women's Basketball Program
  • Arrange media request 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, 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.
• Serve as Communications Contact for Women's Soccer Program
  • Arrange media request 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, 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.
• Serve as Communications Contact for Women's & Men's Tennis Programs
  • Arrange media request 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, 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
  • 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 the request of the Director of Athletics or the 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 & staff for website matters.

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 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 having 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, III, 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 X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Successful completion of 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 at the NCAA Division I, II, III, NJCAA, NAIA or professional level.
• Supervisory experience of graduate assistants, interns, student assistants, and/or game-day staff.
• Experience with SIDEARM CMS.
• Experience working with NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA Women's or Men's Basketball.
• Experience working with NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA Women's or Men's Soccer.
• Experience using the following software: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, NCAA LiveStats, Microsoft Office.
• Experience working and/or hosting NCAA championship events.