Responsibilities

• Tell compelling stories of Augustana’s 22 programs and consistently evolve to changing trends, themes and opportunities to bring awareness and recognition to student-athletes and the broader University.
• Lead and supervise the athletics communications staff of 3 full time employees (if named Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications).
• Serve as the primary communications contact for Men’s Ice Hockey and select other Viking Sports.
• Implement social & digital media strategy
• Manage the content calendar and establish a calendar outlining the necessary annual updates/tasks to accomplish
• Facilitate day-to-day operations within the athletics communications office (game notes, award nominations, updating GoAugie.com, communication with opposing teams, responding to all information/media requests).
• Serve as the primary media contact for the athletic department, schedule and coordinate interviews, and build relationships to solicit event coverage and feature stories (if named Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications).
• Provide support for broadcasts (radio, television & streaming) and assist on-air talent with updated statistics and storylines.
• Anticipate meaningful story lines and opportunities to build the brand of Augustana Athletics.
• Write and/or coordinate news releases, game stories, feature stories, and game notes using AI, FanWord, and Google Gemini.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Previous experience in athletics communications at either the college or professional level. NCAA experience preferred.
• Adherence to established NCAA, NSIC and CCHA regulations.
• Proficient with statistical programs and social media operations.
• Demonstrated ability to curate and adapt content for designated communications channels.
• Ability to work on deadline and manage several tasks simultaneously with consistent follow-through.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including interviewing, editing and proof-reading.
• Creative self-starter with ability to exhibit diplomacy and tact while protecting confidentiality.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as typical in collegiate athletics.

Preferred

• Exceptional writing skills and experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with administrative, coaching and College administrative staff.
• Develop and post social media content that engages the Viking fan base and maintain web pages for assigned sports.
• Be able to work alone, one-on-one, or as part of a larger team.
• Flexibility to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.
• Experience in management and promotion of regional and national tournaments preferred.
• Proven experience and expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with the media on the local and regional level.
• Knowledge of news, reporting, and editing principles, practices, and techniques.
• Strict adherence to established NCAA, conference, and University rules and regulations.
• Interacting with students, faculty and leadership with different backgrounds and points of view and a deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture must be a top value of the candidate.