Assistant Athletic Director of Communications

Assistant Athletic Director of Communications

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Athletic Director of Communications.

Position Details Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States Division Sports Information Position Type Staff Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded No Pay Grade

E09

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

The Assistant Athletic Director for Communications plays a key leadership role within Southern Miss Athletics Communications and assists in developing and executing the department's overall communications, storytelling, and social media strategy. This position serves as the primary communications contact for Southern Miss Men's Basketball and other assigned sports while providing strategic communications support across the department's Division I athletics programs. The position works closely with coaches, student-athletes, athletics leadership, creative services, marketing, and other external units to strengthen the Southern Miss brand, increase media exposure, and engage fans across traditional, digital, and social platforms. The Assistant Athletic Director also assists with the day-to-day management of Athletics Communications, including staff development, content planning, media relations, website management, and communications strategy.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy for Southern Miss Athletics, including proactive storytelling, earned media, brand visibility, and consistent messaging across the department.
• Serve as the primary communications contact for Southern Miss Men''s Basketball and other assigned sports, coordinating media relations and operations, interview requests, press conferences, credentials, statistics, game-day communications, and pre- and postgame media availability.
• Assist with the daily management of Athletics Communications and provide leadership, direction, and professional development for communications staff, graduate assistants, interns, and student workers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media while identifying opportunities to generate coverage and producing stories, press releases, features, announcements, and other communications highlighting Southern Miss teams, coaches, student-athletes, and departmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with creative services, marketing, photography, and other external units to develop and execute digital and social media strategies and ensure appropriate coverage that increases engagement, strengthens the Southern Miss brand, and expands the reach of athletics content.
• Assist with the strategic management and daily maintenance of SouthernMiss.com, ensuring accurate, timely, and engaging content across sport and departmental pages.
• Stay current on emerging communications platforms, technologies, media trends, and industry best practices and identify opportunities to enhance the visibility and storytelling capabilities of Southern Miss Athletics.
• Perform other duties and communications responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in business, marketing, sport management, or other related field. Two to three years' experience in an athletic department or other related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics communications, media relations, public relations, marketing, and strategic communications principles and practices.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communications strategies that promote the visibility, reputation, and success of the Athletics Department.
• Ability to effectively communicate and tell the stories of student-athletes, coaches, teams, and the Athletics Department through written, digital, social media, and multimedia platforms.
• Excellent written, verbal, editing, proofreading, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with university administrators, coaches, student-athletes, faculty, staff, media representatives, alumni, donors, and the general public.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and maintain consistent messaging, branding, and communications standards across departmental platforms and initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with athletics administration, coaches, marketing, creative services, development, ticketing, compliance, and university communications to achieve departmental goals.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required, including attendance at athletic events, media activities, and postseason competitions.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation''s leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.