Department of Athletics Communications and Marketing Strategy (65%)
Develop, activate, and maintain a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to tell the story of Bates Athletics to the Bates community, prospective students, and Bates alumni; Serve as the public relations manager for the Department of Athletics; Actively seek media placements in the local, regional, and national media outlets: field media requests and pitch outside media for newspaper, radio, social media, article, and television coverage; Highlight the achievements of student athletes, coaches, and the Department of Athletics Create engaging content including previews, recaps, profiles, feature stories, and videos about student athletes, coaches, and athletic events; Oversee the Bates Athletics social media presence on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media channels in close coordination with the Bates Communications Office; Oversee the maintenance of GoBatesBobcats.com; Develop and activate an assessment strategy to measure the success of Bates Athletics communications and marketing plans, reviewing key performance indicators with the Director of Athletics and the Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs on an annual basis; Collaborate with the Bates Communications Office team on publications, graphics, and web design; Oversee photography operations for varsity teams and athletic contests, including annual portraits and action “sportrait” photography; Coordinate nominations of student-athletes for honors and awards; Utilize on-campus digital display network to promote athletic events and programming; Oversee the relationship and collaboration with other campus constituencies in order to effectively promote department events and initiatives; Engage in professional development with an eye towards gaining new knowledge in the realm of current best practices and risk management; Maintain an active role within College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and Eastern Athletics Communications Association (ECAC-SIDA).
Home Athletic Event Management (20%)
Develop and activate home athletic event game management policy in collaboration with the Assistant Directors of Athletics; Spearhead the planning and management of home athletic events in collaboration with the Director of Athletics for the student athlete experience including, advertising graphics, hiring/training of staff and student employees, hiring the mascot, preparing PA scripts, preparing programs, setup of venue music, playing of venue music, livestream coverage, tracking analytics, coordinating half-time events, performing as an announcer as needed, monitoring interactions with the fan base, etc. Attend and manage all home athletic events for football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and postseason contests while also attending as many other home contests as possible in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Athletic for Communications; Supervise student workers assisting with game management; Serve as the official statistician at home contests in compliance with NCAA and NESCAC regulations; Coordinate media relations on-site at home athletics contests.
Administrative (15%)
Oversee the maintenance of the historical statistical records for the Department of Athletics; Report statistical data as necessary to the NCAA and NESCAC conference; Manage and remain accountable for expense control, administration of the budget, and projected fiscal year needs; Delegate responsibilities appropriately among staff reporting to the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications; Prepare and submit paperwork related to hosting NCAA and NESCAC postseason championships. Develop, train, and supervise student-employees to support statistical entry and athletic event operations; Work closely with Bates Communications Office staff on all aspects of licensing and branding approvals; Administer annual performance evaluations for all staff reporting to the AADC; Support professional development and success of all staff reporting to the AADC; Other duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor’s degree required.
Master’s degree preferred.
Experience
Experience working within a successful intercollegiate communications and marketing team for 8-10+ years or equivalent experience required.
Background in social media strategy and execution, including online broadcasting.
Fundamental understanding of media relations, pitching media outlets, and fielding media requests.
A track record of developing, motivating, and managing teams.
Experience using PrestoStats and/or NCAA LiveStats.
Experience with Sidearm athletic website management preferred.
Commitment to supporting students from underrepresented groups, including students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, first-generation-to-college students, and low-income students.
Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train or bus) domestically and internationally as needed for covering athletic competition.
Skills and Knowledge
Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with a wide range of clients, as well as students, faculty, and staff.
Excellent communication (written, verbal & listening) skills.
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
Attention to detail and ability to anticipate issues and client needs.
Ability to provide counsel and advice to colleagues and leadership on communications issues.
Ability to work independently, drive projects, and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational skills for successful documentation, planning, and execution.
Deep understanding of digital and social media strategy and execution.
Proficiency in data management systems and computer software (e.g., statistic tracking programs, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, social media, webcasting, WordPress, website development and maintenance, photography and video editing)
Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules.
Personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a small liberal arts college.
Demonstrated awareness of, sensitivity and commitment to diversity and inclusivity and to serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse and inclusive community with diplomacy and tact.
Bates is one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, with a long history of commitments to principles of human dignity and diversity.
Since its founding by abolitionists in 1855, Bates has welcomed men and women from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Bates was the first co-educational college in New England, and some of its earliest students were former slaves. The college continues to live that promise of inclusiveness.
Bates offers a rigorous and highly personalized education that centers on deep and sustained interactions among students, faculty, and community. Bates engages the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.
Bates has highly competitive admission, graduates over 90% of its entering students, and over half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates has 1,700 students, 200 faculty members and 550 staff and administrative employees.
The college is proud of it deep roots in the Lewiston/Auburn community, Maine’s second largest urban area, with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful,... 109-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, a small city with an entrepreneurial climate, a lively arts scene, and a dynamic business community. Bates is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.
