The position will be the primary communications contact for the men’s basketball, softball, and track & field/cross country programs including media relations, social/digital media, sports information, and public relations.
Job Duties Publicize, promote, and effectively tell the story of assigned sports through the website and social media channels
Strategize and execute a plan for social media coverage of assigned sports. Be innovative in storytelling on social media for assigned accounts and teams Manage website pages for assigned sports. Write and edit various communication materials, press releases, game notes, game stories, coach/player bios, etc. Work within the external communications team to develop and execute sport-by-sport social media campaigns, follow branding and consistency guidelines, etc. Work closely with the external content team to coordinate graphic, photo and video needs Assist in the planning and execution of photo/video media days for assigned sports. Assist in content creation for assigned sports Nominate and promote student-athletes and coaches for awards. Work with media outlets to promote Samford Athletics and Bulldog student athletes Travel with teams as needed Explore innovative and creative ways to tell the Samford athletics story Ability to educate, develop and manage Samford Athletics student workers Other duties as assigned
Bachelor’s degree
2 years of experience in athletics communications and social/digital media in an NCAA athletics department and/or professional sports organization
Knowledge of journalistic principles, practices, and techniques of disseminating information to the public through the media and other communication platforms.
Knowledge of grammar, composition, and AP style
Experience in a Division I athletic department
Experience working with basketball.
Strong written and oral communication skills
Organizational, management, and leadership skills
Ability to interact effectively with coaches, administrators, and student-athletes
Advanced computer skills, particularly in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Advanced knowledge and understanding of various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines
The position requires some travel and working evenings, weekends and select holidays in addition to daily office hours.
Other related duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or other department leadership.
Overview:
Samford University is a prestigious academic institution located in Homewood, Alabama (a suburb of Birmingham), known for its strong Christian commitment. With a rich history and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field, Samford University Athletics is dedicated to fostering the holistic development of student-athletes while achieving competitive success at the highest level of collegiate sports.
Mission:
Guided by our Christian commitment, the mission of Samford University Athletics is to provide student-athletes with a world-class education while nurturing their athletic talents and character. We aim to instill values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, setting the stage for lifelong success in a manner that reflects our Christian faith.
Core Values:
1. Excellence: We strive for excellence in all aspects of our programs, from academics to athletics, as we uphold Christian values.
2. Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards, promoting honesty, fairness, and respect in all interactions, guided by our Christian faith.
3. Community: We are committed to fostering a sense of community among our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and... fans, in alignment with our Christian beliefs.
4. Diversity and Inclusion: We embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our student-athletes while respecting our Christian commitment.
5. Development: We prioritize the holistic development of our student-athletes, helping them grow not only as athletes but also as individuals who live out Christian principles.
Athletic Programs:
Samford University Athletics fields teams in 17 NCAA Division I sports. Since joining the Southern Conference (SoCon) in 2008, we've proudly won 74 conference championships, demonstrating our commitment to competitive excellence.
Record-Breaking Success (2022-23):
During the 2022-23 academic year, Samford University Athletics achieved unprecedented success by securing a record-breaking 11 championships, whether in tournaments or regular seasons, across various sports. This remarkable achievement reflects our dedication to excellence which stretches across all of our 17 sports. In 2023-24 the Bulldogs Men's Basketball team returned to the NCAA Tournament for the third time by winning the Southern Conference Tournament.
Academic Excellence:
At Samford University Athletics, academics are paramount. We provide comprehensive academic support services to help our student-athletes achieve their educational goals while nurturing their faith.
Facilities and Upcoming Project:
Our state-of-the-art athletic facilities provide a world-class environment for training and competition. We are excited to announce an upcoming building project, the Campus Recreation, Wellness and Athletic Complex, set to be complete in the fall of 2024, which will further enhance our athletic infrastructure and serve as a bridge to bring together athletics and our general student body. Learn more about this project here: [Campus Recreation Complex](https://www.samford.edu/giving/campus-recreation-complex)
Coaching Staff:
Our dedicated coaching staff comprises experienced professionals who are passionate about developing athletes both on and off the field, always mindful of our Christian commitment.
Join the Bulldog Family:
Samford University Athletics invites individuals who are passionate about athletics, education, and personal growth to join our team. Whether you're a coach, staff member, or student-athlete, Samford University Athletics offers an environment where you can thrive and make a lasting impact.
Come be a part of our tradition of excellence, where we combine the pursuit of athletic success with a steadfast Christian commitment to education, integrity, community, and love. Join us at Samford University, where we shape champions on and off the field. Go Bulldogs!
Learn more at samford.edu or samfordsports.com