Job Information
Northwestern College Director of Athletic Communications in Orange City, Iowa
Director of Athletic Communications
Northwestern College is seeking applicants who can lead in the new age of digital sports communication as the director of athletic communications. This is a full-time, 12-month position that will oversee all athletic department external communications. The director will manage the athletics website while producing regular content within multiple media platforms to enhance the Red Raider brand. The successful candidate will promote student-athletes and coaches by performing or assigning the general responsibilities listed below. The successful candidate will supervise a full-time assistant director of athletic communications and hire/supervise student workers to assist on game day and/or in the office.
General Responsibilities:
Serve as the primary media contact for all sports.
Produce regular press releases (event previews/game notes, recaps and other news) to enhance the Red Raider brand and tell the story of Northwestern College.
Oversee and perform/assign game day operations for all sports related to media, scorer’s table, stats and programs.
Oversee maintenance of SIDEARM athletic website, nwcraiders.com, including posting/updating schedules, rosters, student-athlete and staff bios, and records.
Nominate student-athletes and coaches for GPAC/NAIA/Coaches Association awards.
Coordinate/assign graphic content relevant within today’s digital sport market.
Creatively use social media to promote Red Raider student-athletes and programs. Monitor sport-specific social media pages.
Administer and strategically enhance livestream broadcasts of Red Raider sports.
Work collaboratively with local sports media to provide coverage of Raider athletic teams during the regular season and NAIA championship events.
Work collaboratively with Northwestern’s marketing and communications office to promote a consistent, Stand Out, Red Raider brand.
Supervise assistant director of communications, assistant SIDs and student workers, and maintain the department budget.
Serve on the athletics leadership team.
Skills, Abilities, Traits Desired:
Critical thinker who will cast a vision for an athletics communication strategic plan.
Strong communicator (verbal, written, creative, professional)
Problem-solver, versatile, efficient, and attentive to detail.
Ability to handle high stress situations and manage multiple responsibilities.
Knowledge of statistical software including PrestoStats and/or NCAA live stats.
Proficiency in various software programs, including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, SIDEARM Sports, Hudl TV, Daktronics, etc.
Familiarity with sports photography.
Creative social media skill set.
General understanding of industry trends and ability to adapt in sports media market.
Growth-oriented leader who empowers others to flourish.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, sport management, public relations or related field.
1-3 years of related experience in the sports information industry.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3+ years of work-related experience using software programs listed above.
The successful candidate will have an authentic Christian faith and support the college’s mission and identity as expressed in our Vision for Learning, Vision for Diversity and Christian identity statement. Northwestern identifies as Reformed in commitment, evangelical in engagement and ecumenical in spirit. We view these Christian theological perspectives as complementary and draw from the strengths of each perspective in fulfilling our mission.
Northwestern College seeks to more fully reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the body of Christ in its faculty, staff, administration and students. Women and candidates from historically underrepresented groups are enthusiastically encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled. Apply online below and send letter of application and resume to mindy.stichka@nwciowa.edu.