Media Relations Professional (Athletics) (Multiple Positions)

The Athletic Department is seeking an experienced communications professional for the position of Media Relations Professional. This position will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a strategic communications strategy to promote and better position Arizona Athletics in all forms of communication. Will act as the liaison to local, regional, and national media outlets to advance and promote Arizona Athletics.

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Strategic planning and coordinator of all major press events and announcements.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate effective delivery of online content for media and recruiting constituencies through the department's web site and allied social media outlets.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key local and national media executives, editors, reporters, and personnel to facilitate the ongoing partnership between Arizona and media entities.
• Support staff in achieving goals and objectives for the unit and department.
• Provide training and leadership in media conduct to student-athletes.
• Ensure assigned units are operated in conjunction with University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.
• Advise and facilitate media strategies including crisis management to address major constituencey issues.
• Develop and implement strategy for departmental, Conference, regional, and NCAA statistical datas bases.
• Actively work for greater reach and placement of stories, working with individual coaches, communication services, and marketing staff to enhance the Arizona Athletics brand, message, and story in the local, regional, and national media.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Community Relations and other internal resouces to develop strategies that promote the business interests and reputation of Arizona Athletics.
• Oversee budget for program, provide budget projections and updates, and maintain effective management practices.
• Coordinate with the Conference office and Conference member institutions to ensure consistency of communication and implementation of Conference-wide strategies.
• Serve as a liaison with UA External Relations and other campus communication entities.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to perform under deadline pressure and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with conflicting deadlines.
• Knowledge of media and communication strategies.
• Ability to communicate easily with the media, as well as student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
• Ability to perform detail oriented yet creative work and independently take action.
• Ability to generate original and imaginative solutions to external crisis.
• Knowledge of, and compliance with NCAA, Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Eight years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's Degree.
• Five years of experience working in a Division I Communication Services/Media Relations Office
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information and/or material with discretion.
• Superior public relations skills, including experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference, NCAA, officials, community leaders, government officials, alumni, and donors.
• Knowledge of in-game operations and the use of Automated Scorebook and StatCrew.
• Experience with Arizona, Conference, and national print and electronic media procedures.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations?

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men's basketball or women's basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?