Vanderbilt University · 7 hours ago
Associate Director for Communications (Volleyball, XC, Track, Bowling)
Nashville, TN
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
5+ years expVanderbilt University is seeking an Associate Director for Communications to serve as the primary communications strategist for its volleyball, cross country, track, and bowling programs. This role involves developing creative communication strategies, managing media relations, and enhancing the visibility of these athletic programs on a national scale.
E-LearningEducationHigher Education
Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of proactive, brand-forward communications strategies that elevate the national profile of Vanderbilt Athletic programs
Serve as the primary media strategist and day-to-day media contact for their program, including the head coach, coordinators, and student-athletes
Identify compelling narratives and breakthrough storylines that align with the program’s values, identity, and momentum—and proactively develop content showcasing them on social media and in regional and national media pitches
Work in close partnership with the Athletics content, video, and creative teams to ensure integrated, consistent messaging across digital, social, and traditional platforms
Build and maintain strong relationships with key sports social media leaders, media figures, journalists, and influencers to ensure continued and expanding coverage
Write and edit high-impact content including media pitches, press releases, feature stories, game notes, media guides, and player bios—with a focus on compelling voice and storytelling
Develop and manage social and traditional media strategies around key program milestones (e.g., season openers, rivalry games, signing days, award nominations) to drive targeted coverage and engagement
Coordinate interviews, press availabilities, and media events—ensuring participants are well-prepared and aligned on message
Serve as a trusted adviser to coaches, student athletes, and senior leadership on communications strategy, narrative positioning, social media, and media engagement
Track, analyze, and report social and traditional analytics, using data to inform future storytelling strategy
Monitor national and collegiate sports trends to identify opportunities for Vanderbilt to lead or shape the conversation
Collaborate with peers across the Athletics Department and Division of Communications to align messaging with university-wide branding and reputation goals
Represent the programs during travel and at events as needed; work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends
Support other varsity programs and Athletics communications priorities to advance the communications and visibility goals of the Athletics Department, working as a valued, transparent, and collaborative colleague across all sports
Think creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take directives as necessary
Demonstrate excellence in news judgment, written communications skills, and a sense of what is appropriate for the brand
Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion
Demonstrate understanding of the university’s mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies
Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences—including students, faculty, coaches, staff, families, leadership, alumni, donors and vendors
Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times
Operate in a highly organized fashion with attention to detail on all projects
Provide overall support as needed and assigned for department priorities
Perform other relevant duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is necessary
Demonstrated success in developing and executing social media communications strategies that drive engagement and elevate brand visibility is necessary
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with an ability to tailor content for different platforms, audiences, and media outlets, is necessary
Proven ability to identify and pitch compelling narratives that result in high social media engagement and high-profile local, regional, or national media placements is necessary
Experience advising high-profile individuals (e.g., coaches, athletes, executives) on social and traditional media strategy and preparing them for interviews is necessary
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment with the flexibility to travel and work nights and weekends as needed is necessary
A highly collaborative mindset with experience working across teams, including content, creative, digital, and leadership stakeholders is necessary
Proficiency with media monitoring tools and data analytics to measure and report on outcomes is necessary
Strategic thinking, proactive problem solving, and passion for advocating for innovation in sports storytelling is necessary
Preferred
A degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field is strongly preferred
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in sports communications, journalism, public relations, or media strategy, preferably in a Division I collegiate or professional sports setting, is strongly preferred
Company
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$28.55MKey Investors
Mark AbkowitzNational Science Foundation
2018-11-07Grant· $4.5M
2018-04-18Grant· $0.55M
2015-07-10Grant· $12.8M
Leadership Team
B
Bharat Bhuva
Professor
Bill Blot
Professor
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