Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0008479

Position Summary/Description:

The Associate Director for Communications and Creative Content will serve as the lead storyteller and media contact for Carolina Volleyball, Softball and one other Olympic Sport. This position will strategically promote these programs, North Carolina Athletics and the University both externally and internally across multiple platforms, including social media and websites. This position will serve as the primary media contact for assigned sports and be responsible for planning and creating digital content (graphics, videos, photos) and written content (game notes, news releases and feature stories) to be sent to news organizations and published on goheels.com and other Carolina websites. It will collaborate daily with others External Relations Units – including Marketing, GoHeels Productions, Athletics Communications/Media Relations and Creative Services – to manage the brand of the programs and the department. This position will coordinate communications activities for the assigned programs, including serving as the media relations liaison and updating a content calendar with weekly plans. We are looking for someone who can cover games but also strategically search beyond the games to tell and pitch the great stories of our Carolina student-athletes, coaches and staff, and Department.

Education and Experience:

Prefer Bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism and three years’ experience in an athletic sports information environment. Experience with InDesign preferred. Proficient with the use of content management tools for the internet.

Essential Skills:

Experience in generating creative content (i.e., graphics, motion graphics, videos, photos) and implementing a content strategy at the Division I level. Experience working with members of the media and pitching stories. Demonstrated competencies and experience with desktop publishing and writing and creating content on deadline. Thorough knowledge of StatCrew/ NCAA Live Stats statistical software for Volleyball and Softball. Proficiency in using a variety of programs within the Adobe Creative Suite (i.e., Photoshop, After Effects, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, InDesign). Knowledge of social media best practices and emerging platforms as well as knowledge of graphic design, video, digital media and written media in athletics. Demonstrated and proficient oral and written communication competencies; ability to write game stories and features stories; ability to conduct media training with coaches and student-athletes and advise in interactions with the media; experience designing/editing media guides and/or game programs in an intercollegiate sports information environment is preferred. Must be able to adapt to flexible work schedule due to the high volume/sport season schedules. Experience and knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations as they pertain to the sports of volleyball and softball as well as other assigned sports and college athletics. Must demonstrate exceptional customer service as this position will have extensive inter-personal dealing with student-athletes, coaches and administrators from within the University and with a number of external audiences, primarily media outlets. Accuracy and attention to detail are key as this position deals with facts, historical relevance, records, statistics to promote student-athletes for awards, put events in historical context, compare teams to other teams from the past and present, etc. An emphasis on brainstorming, writing, creating content and an overall ability to communicate is a priority. Must demonstrate the ability to deal with stressful and changing situations. Much time is spent at the computer, attending games, requiring possible out-of-town travel.

AA/EEO Statement:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.