Assistant Director of Public Relations (HR Title: Athletics PR Specialist I) - (ATH00000485)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

This position will pursue media and public relations opportunities within a contemporary media landscape in a Division I athletic department. The role serves as the secondary public relations contact for football and supports the primary football contact with credentials, gameday operations, game notes, research, record books, releases, and other print and digital publications.

Additionally, this position will serve as the secondary public relations contact for men’s or women’s basketball, as well as the primary public relations contact for 2–4 additional teams. Responsibilities also include managing social media in coordination with Creative Services for content production and posting, promoting SMU’s community engagement efforts, maintaining historical archives, and assisting with the athletic department website and mobile app, as well as supporting the marketing and promotion of SMU Athletics.

Job summary

Essential Functions:

• Assist in public relations efforts and media services for football and other assigned sports.

• Create and produce print and virtual content including fact books, game notes, press releases, social media content and graphics, game/match recaps, and award nominations for student-athletes and coaches. Update the SMU's athletics website and mobile app with created and essential content.

• Manage event operations and essential staff at events, including games/matches and press conferences. Manage duties including scoreboard operator, public address announcer, stat keepers and photographers. Serve as a liaison for members of the media covering the event. Work both home and road events for assigned sports.

• Coordinate with Creative Services to update and monitor social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, et al.

• Complete assigned projects from coaches and staff for assigned sports.

   

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in communications, journalism, public relations or similar is preferred.

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the athletics public relations field is required.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must have a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), NCAA Live Stats, Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.), and web publishing.

Candidate is required to regularly work home and road events on nights and weekends. Candidate must travel to road games/matches, media events, etc.

Candidate will be on call for coaches, media members, and other athletics staff.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.