Associate Athletic Director, Communications

Role Overview

The University of San Francisco is seeking a full-time Associate Athletic Director, Communications to lead all strategic communications, public relations, and storytelling for the Athletics Department, including management of the men's basketball program communications and coordination of content related to the department's NIL initiatives. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, this key position also supports marketing, ticketing, community and alumni engagement, revenue generation, and special events communications, fostering a close partnership with the university's Office of Communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a department-wide storytelling strategy that boosts branding, engagement, and showcases departmental achievements.
• Oversee all athletic department public relations activities and media relationships to enhance national presence and alumni/local community connections.
• Set and enforce a comprehensive communication strategy, including managing crisis communications collaboratively with relevant university offices.
• Create compelling content for internal and external audiences while managing social media, websites, creative content, and broadcast event production.
• Design and oversee marketing initiatives such as game and ticket promotions, special events, and revenue goals, establishing efficient communication policies and procedures.
• Lead communications specifically for the men's basketball program, strengthening media relations and collaborative storytelling with coaches and student-athletes.
• Coordinate messaging and engagement efforts with the Office of Development for alumni relations and community involvement.
• Create and distribute content related to student-athlete NIL opportunities while aligning with department standards and strategies.
• Manage communications for department special events and capital projects, ensuring alignment and clarity across campus departments and compliance with university communications standards.
• Supervise communication staff including social media, creative, and content teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Over 5 years of experience managing communications in sports organizations.
• Established relationships with college athletics media nationally.
• Proven success creating programs that enhance visibility, engagement, and positioning.
• Familiarity with name, image, and likeness (NIL) regulations.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• In-depth understanding of NCAA and WCC rules and their application.
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff and handling compliance-related situations.
• Self-driven with a growth mindset capable of independently achieving objectives.

Compensation

Salary range for this role is $70,304 to $105,957 annually, depending on experience.

Additional Information

The University of San Francisco, located in the heart of a vibrant and diverse city, prides itself on a strong Jesuit Catholic mission emphasizing social justice and academic excellence. This position offers an opportunity to impact a dynamic athletic department and contribute to its overall success and visibility.