Index/Position No.:                             16080/200300                                     Level 14

Position Title:                                      Associate Athletic Director for Communications

Department:                                        Intercollegiate Athletics

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the Athletic Director for supervising all communications within the department and coordinating the dissemination of information regarding university athletics to both the campus and local community.  Serving as the primary administrative director for the public relations arm of the department within the university and with all local, regional, and national media, the Associate Athletic Director for Communication primarily oversees the operations of both the office of Athletic Media Relations as well as the Buccaneers Sports Network.  Other duties include public relations efforts outside of the athletic department, such as serving as a member of the university’s Crisis Communication Team, which efforts to control the release of information in sensitive university issues.  Duties as a member of the CCT also demands close working relationships with the institution’s Department of University Relations.  Acting as the athletic department’s spokesperson when appropriate and the development of communication plans throughout the department are primary functions as well.

Essential Functions

-                Serves on departmental senior staff for long and short-term planning, departmental policy and budget development.

-                Reviews and revises structure, procedure and electronic capabilities of the media relations offices as appropriate.

-                Oversees all communications from the Department of Athletics with media, honors, alumni, students, and corporate partners.

-                Selects, evaluates, and supervises and delegates sport responsibilities to staff members in the sports information office.

-                Directs all aspects of www.etsubucs.com website, including design, content, contracting, and daily postings.

-                Directs all aspects of Buccaneer Sports Radio Network and Buccaneer Sports Television Network; secures funding in conjunction with marketing/promotions staff; develops program/equipment necessary for network; secures, trains, and advises staff; coordinates with flagship/affiliates.

-                Serves on university crisis management team to align strategically for release of information critical to the operations of the university.

-                Coordinates all aspects of the media guide production process for all programs.

-                Oversees press row management for all home games.

-                Writes and edits all department materials produced for the public.

-                Coordinates the working relationship between the coaching staff, student-athletes, and the media.

-                Produces and edits brochures and programs.

-                Updates and coordinates mailing lists to media (local, state, and national).

-                Produces fact sheets, feature information, and various other publicity vehicles on all sports.

-                Serves as a host to visiting media.

-                Advises the Athletic Director regarding critical issues and news worthy events that will impact the department.

-                Coordinates the sports information office with the Office of University Relations.

-                Serves as spokesperson for department policy as assigned.

-                Produces departmental annual report for dissemination to constituents.

-                Hosts and sets up press conferences for coaches, student-athletes, and department personnel as needed.

-                Works with the Assistant to the Athletic Director/Coordinator of Special Projects (position under audit) to maintain quality and constituency of department branding/identity.

-                Oversees publicity surrounding the recruitment and signing of prospective student athletes.

-                Remains in full compliance with NCAA, University, and Atlantic Sun Conference rules.

-                Complies with all NCAA rules and regulations, and acknowledges this compliance as part of an annual evaluation process.

-                Signs an NCAA Compliance Statement annually.

Secondary Functions

-          Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-          Knowledge of and compliance with NCAA and conference rules and regulations.

-          Knowledge of media practices and procedures.

-          Knowledge of statistics, rules and regulations for the sports to be covered.

-          Knowledge of computerized statistical packages and desktop publishing equipment.

-          Ability to communicate effectively.

-          Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision.  Determines own methods of performing assigned work.  Supervises administrative and support employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communication required; five to seven years experience writing sports material; extensive knowledge of web, radio and television in a Division I-A athletics program.

August 2008