Position Function:
Mississippi State University Athletics is seeking an Associate Director/Communications to join its communications and external affairs team. The successful candidate must be highly organized and driven with exceptional multi-tasking and communication skills. This position will work closely with the Associate Athletic Director/Communications, the department's graduate assistants and student assistants in addition to working alongside the creative strategy, marketing and video teams. The candidate must have strong knowledge of social media platforms as well as advanced writing and public relations skills. Travel will be required as well as working long hours and weekends.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Serve as the secondary communications contact for the football team year-round.
a. Prepare, maintain and distribute media information and other publicity for football.
b. Manage, create and strategize creative content for the department's social and digital media platforms related to football.
c. Produce content for the official athletic department website, particularly as it relates to football.
d. Assist the Associate Athletic Director/Communications with the coaching staff's media appearances.
e. Oversee, schedule and coordinate student-athlete media appearances.
f. Pitch story ideas to local, state and national media.
g. Travel with the team to cover all games as well as student-athlete community service and media appearances.
h. Help supervise the football press box on game day.
i. Strategically communicate to manage the program's national brand.
j. Work closely with the SEC's broadcast partners, radio and external media to provide accurate information for coverage.
k. Produce the annual football media guide and weekly game notes.
2. Oversee student assistant and/or graduate assistant for spring sport (s).
a. Ensure that the graduate/student assistant is meeting appropriate deadlines and providing accurate information for spring sport coverage.
b. Serve as a mentor to the graduate/student assistant.
3. Establish and maintain relationships with appropriate local, state and national media representatives.
4. Assist Associate Athletic Director/Communications and Associate Athletic Director/Creative Strategy in the management of social media strategy for all sports in the department.
a. Keep up with social media trends and implement them into the department's day-to-day social media strategy.
b. Develop content ideas geared toward fans and prospective student-athletes.
c. Work closely with the video production and creative strategy teams to develop social media content.
5. Complete other departmental tasks as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director/Communications.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism with three (3) to four (4) years of experience in media relations, athletic communications, preferably as a football contact.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Ability to travel with the team.
2. Ability to work long hours, including nights and weekends.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
4. Advanced knowledge of media relations/communications concepts and principles.
5. Comprehensive knowledge of social media platforms and an understanding on how to execute social media ideas.
6. Application of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.
7. Understanding of how to stay ahead of trends in the profession.
8. Knowledge of Stat Crew and Stat Broadcast.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion.
Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dirt, chemicals, etc.
Job frequently requires walking, standing, lifting, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and handling objects with hands.
Instructions for Applying:
Attach cover letter and Resume.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
