Athletic Communications Director

Job Description

Date: April 17, 2026
Position Available: Athletic Communications Director
Position Reports to: Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Development
Department: Athletic Department
FLSA Status: Exempt
Schedule: Full Time - Schedule Determined by Athletic events/schedules; some evenings and weekends

Please apply online: https://franciscan.edu/athletic-communications-director/

POSITION SUMMARY
The Athletic Communications Director reports directly to the Assistant Athletic Director (AAD) for Communications & Development to provide strategic leadership and tactical execution for communications, public and media relations, game day operations, marketing, development, community engagement, and special events within the Franciscan University Athletic Department in a manner that advances the Christian mission of the University.

The Athletic Communications Director maintains line supervisory responsibility for operations within the communications and marketing portfolio, including:

Media and Public Relations: The Director coordinates media coverage, responds to inquiries, schedules interviews with athletes and coaches, and proactively seeks publicity for athletic programs and events. The Director also prepares press releases, manages relationships with local and national media, and represents the organization at press conferences and athletic events.

Communications Strategy: The Director assists the AAD/Communications & Development in developing and implementing a comprehensive communications campaign, including marketing strategies, social media engagement, multimedia and broadcasting operations, and digital content creation across platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube in alignment with the Christian vision and mission of the University. This includes overseeing print materials such as press guides, sports programs, and promotional content.

Event and Game Management: The Director is a key component to game-day operations, including scheduling, staff, coordinating fan engagement, livestreaming, and ensuring accurate in-game statistics for reporting and awards. They will work with the Game Day Manager to enhance fan experience both in-person and online. The Director also is heavily involved with the planning and execution of special events involving Franciscan Athletics.

Leadership and Supervision: Within the chain of command, the Director leads and manages communications staff, such as the Athletic Communications Assistant, Student Sports Information Coordinators, and Interns, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations. The Director also manages budgets for communications and marketing initiatives under the direction of the AAD/Communications & Development.

Collaboration and Representation: The Director works closely with the Franciscan Athletic Department Front Office, coaches, and other administrative staff to ensure consistent messaging and compliance with institutional and league regulations. They may travel to away games, tournaments, and conferences to represent the Athletic Department.

The mission pillars of the Franciscan University Athletic Department-Forming Disciples, Developing Leaders, and Pursuing Excellence-are central to this role. The Athletic Communications Director is responsible for driving innovation and advancement of these pillars through all communications, marketing, and related initiatives, ensuring that Franciscan Athletics authentically embodies the University's Catholic and Franciscan identity.

Franciscan University is an NCAA Division III institution and a member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. With continued departmental growth and increasing competitive success, advancing the visibility, professionalism, and impact of Franciscan Athletics in service of the University's mission is a primary objective of this position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assists AAD/Communications & Development to provide strategic leadership for communications, public and media relations, game day operations, marketing, development, community engagement, and special events with an emphasis on promoting the Christian mission of Franciscan University.
• Coordinates media coverage, responds to inquiries, schedules interviews with athletes and coaches, and proactively seeks publicity for athletic programs and events.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications campaign, including marketing strategies, social media engagement, multimedia and broadcasting operations, and digital content creation across platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube in alignment wit the Christian vision and mission of the University.
• Schedules staff and coordinates fan engagement and livestreaming ensuring accurate in-game statistics for reporting and awards.
• Leads and manages communications staff within a defined chain of command.
• Works closely with the Franciscan Athletic Department Front Office, coaches, and other administrative staff to ensure consistent messaging and compliance with institutional and league regulations.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Additional duties, expectations, and responsibilities may be added or changed as needed to meet the University's needs.
REQUIREMENTS
Must understand, support, and embrace the mission of Franciscan University of Steubenville and possess the following:

Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Technical Skills
• Demonstrated acumen with sports media operations, including social media, livestreaming, broadcasting, stat keeping, and related hardware/software.
• Leadership ability.

Non-Technical Skills & Competencies:
• Collaboration: Approachable, proactive, and works well within a team.
• Decision Quality: Effectively blends analysis, experience, and intuition in the decision-making process.
• Verbal Communications: Excellent Communicator

Workplace Factors:
• Tracking of equipment/inventory
• Attendance at multiple athletic venues around campus and elsewhere.
• Ability to function within a defined chain of command.

Candidates must submit an online application, a resume and a cover letter that demonstrates their fit for the position based on their experience, accomplishments, and skills as well as their desire to advance the mission of Franciscan University.

Please apply online: https://franciscan.edu/athletic-communications-director/

For other information and job postings, visit our website at https://www.franciscan.edu

Franciscan University of Steubenville is committed to principles of equal opportunity and is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Employer

Franciscan University is a Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts and professional studies institution located in Steubenville, Ohio.