Assistant Director of Brand Marketing and Communications

Overview:

The College Football Playoff is seeking a highly motivated, collaborative, versatile and media savvy individual to play an integral role within the CFP’s Brand Marketing and Communications team.  The Assistant Director of Brand Marketing and Communications will play a key role in the execution of the CFP’s brand marketing and communications strategies, creating value for stakeholders while positively accelerating the trajectory of the CFP brand. There are four primary areas of focus for this role: Brand Marketing, Media Services, Broadcast, Communications/Public Relations.

Reports to: Director of Brand Marketing and Communications

Brand Marketing

• Support overall integrated brand marketing strategies to grow value, visibility, and engagement of the CFP across internal and external audiences, including but not limited to football student-athletes, conferences, universities, media, corporate and bowl partners, and fans.

• Support the CFP’s year-round digital, social, broadcast, and live experiences that celebrate student-athletes, the CFP Foundation, the championship game, and all ancillary events.

• Support Director of Brand Marketing and Communications on all digital/social/content execution that drive the CFP brand forward and create value for stakeholders.

• Primary staff liaison for the promotion of the CFP National Championship Trophy.

Media Services

• Manage all media-services activities year-round; working with conference/institution comms leadership, bowl communications directors, host cities, stadium staff and others as appropriate

• Manage all media credentialing and game day media operations

• Write, edit and supervise the printing and distribution of designated CFP publications (i.e. game program and media guide)

• Create, maintain and regularly update CFP and national championship game statistics and records

• Oversee room block for contingent staying at media headquarters hotel and provide support as it relates to accreditation, catering and hospitality, audio/video and FF&E needs, transportation movements, etc.

• Recruit and supervise volunteers to serve during game week and game day

• Create and maintain media policies for the playoff and associated bowl games

• Serve as communications liaison to key internal/external stakeholders (e.g., website provider, social media providers, ESPN, conferences, bowl games and local organizing committees)

• Serve as liaison with Football Writers Association of America and College Sports Information Directors of America

Communications/Public Relations

• Write and distribute news releases covering all relevant CFP related initiatives and announcements

• Utilize internal tools to compile and distribute daily media intelligence reports to CFP stakeholders that summarize relevant CFP-related news coverage

• Work closely with the Chief Brand Marketing and Communications Officer and Director of Brand Marketing and Communications on key strategic messaging development and deployment, brand positioning and reputation management

• Craft talking points and media briefs for Executive Director, Executive Staff and other CFP-affiliated personnel to ensure preparedness and successful delivery of key messages in advance of public speaking engagements or media interviews

• Develop proactive external/outbound PR strategy - promoting CFP personnel and business initiatives with the goal of shaping, protecting, and advancing the CFP’s business goals, its brand, reputation, process, and protocols

• Support CBMCO in the management of CFP Selection Committee data and provide communications support for the CFP selection committee, including attendance at selection committee meetings/events

• Oversee media relations contractor for CFP public events, including the CFP Foundation’s public relations strategy and execution

• Work closely with host committee and host city leadership on PR events, media relations and in-market awareness

• Proactively develop and push the earned and owned narratives about the CFP, including sensitive issues such as playoff format changes, team selection rationale, and other high-profile announcements.

• Serve as a respected and timely voice to media, stakeholders, and fans by delivering clear, consistent, and transparent messaging that reinforces trust in the CFP and its leadership and committees.

Broadcast

• Serve as day-to-day liaison with ESPN broadcast talent, communications teams and production operations

• Work closely with ESPN on rankings show promotion, tune-in and messaging

• Assist with day-to-day coordination between the organization and broadcast partners on production and content needs.

• Help manage credentialing, logistics, and scheduling for broadcast crews at events and CFP games.

• Support communication of key information (schedules, access, requirements) between internal teams and broadcast partners.

• Track deliverables and follow up on action items from broadcast partner meetings.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a genuine and natural commitment to the CFP’s core values of Integrity, Humility, and Excellence in all personal and professional conduct.

• Bachelor’s degree required with strong strategic writing and verbal communication skills.

• Minimum of five (5) years of directly job-related experience in relevant field.

• Experience in media operations, credentialing and game day execution preferred.

• Earned and Owned Media Engagement & Storytelling experience

• Knowledge and curiosity of industry/social media trends that will inform strategy, reach new audiences and drive cultural relevance of the CFP brand.

Application Process:

The CFP invites applications to be submitted via email to media@collegefootballplayoff.com. Applicants will be required to include PDF versions of a cover letter, resume, and list of references (minimum of three).

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, so candidates are encouraged to apply early. The final deadline to apply is Wednesday, September 30.