Assistant/Associate Athletics Director of Shocker Media

Job Story

The Assistant/Associate Athletics Director of Shocker Media provides leadership for Wichita State Athletics' integrated communications unit. Shocker Media serves as the central hub for how Wichita State Athletics tells its story – connecting student-athletes, coaches, programs, and the Shocker brand with fans, donors, media, recruits, alumni, campus partners, and the greater community through strategic communications, digital content, social media, and live event broadcasts.

This position provides leadership for the Strategic Communications staff while overseeing the department's communications strategy, storytelling initiatives, ESPN+ operations, and sport-specific social media strategy. Working collaboratively across the External Affairs & Revenue Generation division, this role ensures consistent messaging and meaningful engagement across all platforms while elevating the visibility of Wichita State Athletics and its student-athletes.

Serving as a trusted communications advisor, this position partners closely with the Director of Athletics and Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs & Revenue Generation to develop executive communications, support strategic initiatives, and advance departmental priorities through thoughtful messaging and storytelling. The position also serves as the primary communications contact for Baseball and other assigned sports.

Job Summary

Oversees strategic communications, storytelling, digital content, and broadcast operations for Wichita State Athletics. Develops strategies and provides operational leadership for the planning, creation, and execution of the athletic productions and communications programs and campaigns. Ensures alignment with established athletic and University policies, goals, objectives and standards.

Essential Functions

• Leads and supervises the strategic direction and operations of the strategic communications unit, including personnel, equipment, and departmental resources. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations and alignment with strategic vision and direction.
• Plans, implements, evaluates, and oversees athletic media and public relations communication materials, policies and procedures. Ensures brand image alignment and integrity.
• Serves as the primary contact for assigned NCAA Division I sport program(s), including but not limited to, media relations, statistics, publications, and championship communications. May provide administrative oversight, as needed.
• Directs departmental storytelling initiatives in collaboration with Marketing and Fan Engagement and Creative Services.
• Oversees athletic broadcast operations, including production planning, staffing, vendor relationships, equipment management, and compliance with NCAA, conference, and broadcast standards.

Job Duties

Campaign Support & Development
Media Planning & Buying
Content & Social Media Management
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
Market Research & Strategy
Collaboration & Coordination
Budget & Resource Management

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field

• Six (6) years of experience in marketing, communications, digital media, or related field, with one (1) year of experience in a leadership role. 30 hours of graduate coursework can be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics

• Knowledge of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics

• Knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules and regulations with the ability to interpret, apply, enforce and explain such policies and rules

• Maintain knowledge of state and University policies and procedures

• Exhibit strong creative, organizational and interpersonal skills

• Proactive attitude towards work and assignments

• Ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with outside groups, i.e. student-athletes, faculty, academic professionals, parents, University community

Additional Information:

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to move or traverse across campus, within buildings and offices, and/or across external environments.