Department: Univ Athletics-Media Svcs
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Target hiring range for this position will be between $49,850-$51,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Public Relations and Digital Media and up through the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives and Communications, the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications is responsible for handling all external communication functions for assigned teams including, but not limited to, media relations, public relations, content creation and distribution, and journalistic coverage. This position is the primary contact for assigned Olympic sports programs in all three season, and provides additional support to the Football, Men's Basketball and Administrative programs within the Northwestern Athletic Department.

*Willingness and ability to work a non-traditional schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays as required. *

Specific Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary public relations/communications contact for at least one Olympic Sports program in each of the fall, winter and spring seasons, and in a direct supporting role for football and men's basketball programs.
• Provide on-site game management support at home events for assigned sports, including, but not limited to, media and broadcast coverage.
• Assist in recruitment, training, development and supervision of interns and temporary student workforces.
• Participate in other projects and attend Athletic Department meetings and functions as requested by the Director of Public Relations and Digital Media or the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives and Communications.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University continuing education initiatives and required certifications and trainings.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience, required.
• Minimum 2 years' sports communications experience required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent writing skills required.
• Solid understanding of new and emerging communications methods and tools.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work efficiently on short deadlines.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and effectively interact with diverse populations.
• Ability to establish engaging relationships within and across racialized and other marginalized communities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite required, and StatCrew software preferred.
• Graphic design, video production and/or photography experience preferred.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Ability to work in both the Mac and Windows operations systems preferred.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the NCAA, Big Ten Conference and Northwestern University preferred

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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