Strategic Communications Manager (Athletics)

The Strategic Communications Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Strategic Communications department for Arizona Athletics including developing and strategizing communication efforts for the department. Directs and coordinates all communication efforts, managing a
strategic communications plan and delivering messages to all stakeholders and managing all messages internally and externally. This position serves on the leadership committee and reports directly to the Vice President and Director of Athletics. This position manages sensitive and critical messages requiring press releases and crisis communication

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Manages and coordinates all strategic communications efforts which includes managing and implementing a strategic communications plan, delivering timely and key messaging to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages all public relations efforts for the Athletic Department including daily messaging and crisis management messaging as well.
• Oversees and maintains crisis communication plans and efforts, serving as department spokesperson as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with campus, local, regional and national media. Building relationships with print and social media to showcase the Arizona Athletics story.
• Responsible for maintaining a communication strategy that is reflected in all communications and showcases the Athletics brand.
• Creates a culture of collaboration between Strategic Communications and other internal units within athletics to maximize the experience for student-athletes, fans, alumni and students.
• Works in partnership with external facing units on campus to strategize communication pans and efforts maintaining University policies and procedures in communication efforts.
• Leads efforts to proactively promote student-athletes' stories. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media to generate stories that highlight significant achievements of the department, students, coaches, and staff.
• Leads all communications, public relations, and messaging efforts for Vice President and Director of Athletics.
• Manage and direct budget for unit, including overseeing all expenses related to area of responsibility.
• Ensuring all staff complies with campus policies for expenses and reimbursements.
• Oversee budget for all 22 sports working alongside sports staff to ensure highest quality of information is communicated both internal and externally keeping in mind fiscal responsibility to the department and campus.
• Develops and maintains operational plans and systems that impact the unit and department, working with campus leadership to comply with strategic vision for the university.
• Supervise staff responsible for hiring, performance management, promotions and day-to-day operational tasks.
• Provides strategic and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills, leadership, and expertise.
• Oversees staff training and development in areas of expertise.
• Provide daily leadership and supervision for the Strategic Communications Department. Oversees, develops, strategizes, and executes communication efforts across the unit, departments, and athletics.
• Recommend policies and plans that help modernize the department and move unit forward in its modernization efforts.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of various communication theories, concepts, techniques, mediums, and strategies.
• Ability to write for various audience and in various formats
• Knowledge of NCAA, Conference, and University polices and procedures as they relate to this position.
• Ability to work and provide feedback to high-profile individuals such as head coaches and student-athletes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and has a positive demeanor
• Critical thinking skills and ability to provide multiple solutions for situations
• Knowledge of news production, both written and broadcast media, strategic social media marketing and informational experience.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Nine years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's Degree.
• Ten years of experience.
• Management and/or leadership experience.
• Experience with a college or university's strategic communications operations.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men's basketball or women's basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?