Assistant AD or Director of Athletics Communications

Job Description

Job Description

About Augustana University:

Augustana University is located in the growing and vibrant city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a metro area of over 265,000 people. Augustana University has, for more than 150 years, provided a strong student-centric education based on its five core values: Christian faith, liberal arts, excellence, community and service. Guided by Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, the comprehensive strategic plan for Augustana University, Augustana Athletics' vision for the foreseeable future is twofold: 1. Build a nationally competitive men's hockey program that competes at the Division I level 2. Win the Division II Learfield Director's Cup celebrating broad based excellence.

With the addition of the $70 million Midco Arena, Augustana Athletics is launched the first collegiate hockey program in South Dakota in 2023 and is also the first athletics program to compete at Division I that calls Sioux Falls home. Currently with 21 NCAA Division II sports programs, Augustana Athletics is focused on building champions in the classroom, in competition and in the community, highlighted by three team national championships since 2016. Viking Athletics finished #7 nationally in the Division II Learfield Director’s Cup in 2021-22 and also won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All Sports Award. 

Assistant Athletic Director or Director of Athletics Communications

Augustana University (SD) invites applications for the position of Assistant Athletic Director or Director of Athletic4s Communications (Title Commensurate with Experience). With 22 NCAA sports programs, including men’s hockey competing at the Division I level, Augustana Athletics serves as a crucial pillar in the university’s strategic plan; Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030. The Director of Athletics Communications will support and enhance the mission of Augustana University / Augustana Athletics through all aspects of digital media, social media, sports information, and media relations. 

This position is an innovative communications leader that will serve as the primary media contact for Division I Men’s Ice Hockey and select Viking sports programs. The successful candidate will spearhead strategic media relations, digital content creation, and comprehensive brand-building initiatives. By integrating modern platforms and emerging technologies such as AI, FanWord, and Google Gemini Enterprise, this role will play a vital part in elevating Augustana’s regional and national visibility while highlighting the exceptional accomplishments of Viking student-athletes.

This position will embrace the Augustana Athletics philosophy statement; We provide a student-athlete centered experience committed to distinction in the classroom, excellence in competition with faithful service to community. 

Every effort has been made to make the job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related to, or is a logical assignment to the position.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Tell compelling stories of Augustana’s 22 programs and consistently evolve to changing trends, themes and opportunities to bring awareness and recognition to student-athletes and the broader University.
• Lead and supervise the athletics communications staff of 3 full time employees ( if named Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications) .
• Serve as the primary communications contact for Men’s Ice Hockey and select other Viking Sports.
• Implement social & digital media strategy 
• Manage the content calendar and establish a calendar outlining the necessary annual updates/tasks to accomplish
• Facilitate day-to-day operations within the athletics communications office (game notes, award nominations, updating GoAugie.com, communication with opposing teams, responding to all information/media requests).
• Serve as the primary media contact for the athletic department, schedule and coordinate interviews, and build relationships to solicit event coverage and feature stories (if named Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications).
• Provide support for broadcasts (radio, television & streaming) and assist on-air talent with updated statistics and storylines.
• Anticipate meaningful story lines and opportunities to build the brand of Augustana Athletics.
• Write and/or coordinate news releases, game stories, feature stories, and game notes using AI, FanWord, and Google Gemini. 
• Ensure all external communication, including GoAugie.com, is accurate and up-to-date including rosters, bios, schedules, game notes, statistical information, news, archives, photography, graphics, etc.
• Build relationships with coaches and staff to become relied upon as the authority on public communication best practices, serve as the primary internal communication lead.
• Manage the press area at home athletic events and ensure proper staffing for responsibilities.
• Facilitate communication roles for special events such as conference, regional, and national tournaments.
• Responsible for maintaining the departments organization, historical record and timely publication of game previews/recaps, statistics, features, historical information, photography and video.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Previous experience in athletics communications at either the college or professional level. NCAA experience preferred.
• Adherence to established NCAA, NSIC and CCHA regulations.
• Proficient with statistical programs and social media operations.
• Demonstrated ability to curate and adapt content for designated communications channels.
• Ability to work on deadline and manage several tasks simultaneously with consistent follow-through.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including interviewing, editing and proof-reading.
• Creative self-starter with ability to exhibit diplomacy and tact while protecting confidentiality.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as typical in collegiate athletics.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Exceptional writing skills and experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with administrative, coaching and College administrative staff. 
• Develop and post social media content that engages the Viking fan base and maintain web pages for assigned sports.
• Be able to work alone, one-on-one, or as part of a larger team.
• Flexibility to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.
• Experience in management and promotion of regional and national tournaments preferred.
• Proven experience and expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with the media on the local and regional level. 
• Knowledge of news, reporting, and editing principles, practices, and techniques.
• Strict adherence to established NCAA, conference, and University rules and regulations.

Interacting with students, faculty and leadership with different backgrounds and points of view and a deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture must be a top value of the candidate.

Application Procedure: 

The position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants are asked to submit the below application materials via our Career Center Portal. If assistance is needed during the application process, please reach out to View email address on us.fitly.work.

• Letter of interest
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Contact information for at least three references

Augustana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Title IX Employer. Applicants must comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and may be required to submit official transcripts upon employment. Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.