Executive Associate Athletics Director, Strategic & Football Communications

MEDIA COMM MGR 1 (000413)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_940657

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

11/20/2025 2:21:40 PM

Date Last Edited:

11/20/2025 2:21:37 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6000O

Organization:

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Division Code:

5501D

Division:

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Department:

374500 - INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_940657

Position Description ID

247462

UC Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM MGR 1 (000413)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 25

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

A: Manager - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40713754

Reports to Payroll Title:

ATH MGR 4 BYA

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40713754

Department Head Payroll Title:

ATH MGR 4 BYA

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

0408

MEDIA COMM MGR 1

1

5885

MEDIA COMM SPEC 4

1

7462

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3

2

7462

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3

5

7455

DIGITAL COMM SPEC 3

1

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Athletics Director, with an indirect reporting line to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Strategy & Initiatives, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Strategic & Football Communications serves as the department's chief communications and public relations executive. This role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all internal and external communications across UCLA's 25 intercollegiate programs, shaping and protecting the UCLA Athletics brand while aligning all messaging with institutional values, departmental goals and competitive priorities.

This position serves as the primary communications executive for UCLA Football, acting as the lead public relations strategist, external spokesperson, and Sports Information Director (SID). In this capacity, the Executive Associate AD oversees all football media relations, public messaging, storytelling, and game-day and postseason communications operations. The role also provides executive oversight of the communications teams serving Men's and Women's Basketball and the 20+ Olympic Sports, ensuring each program receives tailored, high-quality support that elevates visibility, strengthens recruiting efforts and enhances national reputation.

As leader of a comprehensive communications unit, this executive oversees staff supervision, workload distribution, performance management, professional development and editorial standards. The position is responsible for executive communications for the Athletics Director and head coaches; coordination of institutional messaging with university leadership; oversight of high-profile and sensitive media inquiries related to NCAA compliance, NIL, litigation or student-athlete welfare; and the direction of crisis communications and issues management.

The Executive Associate AD ensures that departmental messaging is proactive, strategic, and unified across digital, social, written and media platforms.

Functioning as a key member of the department's senior leadership team, this role works collaboratively with external affairs, marketing, development, compliance, student-athlete support units, and campus communications to advance UCLA's strategic priorities. Through strong relationship building, exceptional judgment, and a commitment to excellence in storytelling and brand stewardship, the Executive Associate AD enhances the visibility, credibility and impact of one of the nation's premier athletics programs.

Strategic Communications Leadership

 • Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan for UCLA Athletics, advancing departmental priorities related to recruiting, competitive success, revenue generation, fan engagement, institutional alignment and overall brand elevation.

 • Lead executive communications for the Athletics Director and head coaches, including speechwriting, message development, thought-leadership positioning, high-level correspondence, and strategic preparation for major announcements or public forums.

 • Serve as the department’s primary spokesperson, representing UCLA Athletics to local, national and international media; Effectively communicate departmental priorities, values and positions on emerging issues.

35%

Strategic Communications Leadership

 • Oversee and coordinate responses to all high-level and sensitive media inquiries, including those involving NCAA compliance, name, image and likeness (NIL), litigation, personnel matters, or student-athlete welfare, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and alignment with University policies.

 • Manage crisis communications and issues management, developing protocols, leading rapid-response efforts, coordinating with campus leadership, and ensuring consistent internal and external messaging during sensitive or high-impact situations.

 • Guide strategic storytelling initiatives, including institutional narratives, leadership profiles, program milestones, and department-wide initiatives, to strengthen the visibility and reputation of UCLA Athletics across multiple platforms.

0%

Strategic Communications Leadership

 • Collaborate closely with University communications and central administration to ensure alignment of messaging, coordinate institution-level announcements, and maintain a unified voice across departments and external-facing units.

 • Drive cross-functional integration of communications strategy by partnering with external affairs, development, marketing, compliance, academic services, sports medicine, and other internal support units to ensure cohesive messaging and comprehensive coverage of departmental initiatives.

0%

Football Communications, Public Relations & SID Leadership

 • Serve as the primary public relations lead and media contact for UCLA Football, directing all communications strategies, media relations activities, and sport information responsibilities for one of the department’s highest-profile programs.

 • Serve as a senior advisor to the Athletics Director and Executive Senior Associate AD, providing counsel on football communications strategy, media dynamics, brand positioning and reputational considerations.

 • Design and execute a proactive, brand-forward communications and PR plan that strengthens the football program’s national visibility, supports recruiting objectives, and reinforces UCLA’s institutional values and competitive identity.

35%

Football Communications, Public Relations & SID Leadership

 • Oversee all facets of football media operations, including weekly press conferences, practice and game-day media access, credentialing, broadcast coordination, postgame responsibilities, and all interview logistics for coaches, student-athletes and staff.

 • Develop and distribute high-impact written materials – including press releases, game notes, media guides, feature stories, digital content, and postgame recaps – that advance the program’s narrative and elevate external perception.

 • Serve as the primary liaison to broadcast partners, the Big Ten Conference, and national media outlets, shaping storylines, coordinating coverage opportunities, and ensuring consistent, timely communication.

0%

Football Communications, Public Relations & SID Leadership

 • Provide targeted media training and interview preparation for coaches, student-athletes, and football personnel to enhance confidence, clarity and alignment with program messaging.

 • Collaborate with internal creative, digital, video and marketing support units to deliver integrated storytelling and cohesive multi-platform content that reflects the strategic vision of UCLA Football.

0%

Team Leadership & Sport Communications Oversight

 • Provide direct supervision, leadership and accountability for a multi-tiered communications staff assigned across Men’s and Women’s Basketball and UCLA’s 20+ Olympic sports, ensuring consistent standards of excellence, accuracy, responsiveness, and brand alignment.

 • Oversee staff assignments, workload distribution, and project prioritization, ensuring sports receive equitable coverage based on competitive profile, departmental priorities, media interest and resource capacity.

 • Conduct formal and informal performance evaluations, set clear expectations, establish annual goals, and create individualized development plans that support staff growth, retention and advancement within the industry.

25%

Team Leadership & Sport Communications Oversight

 • Lead regular team meetings, creative reviews, and editorial planning sessions to ensure coordinated messaging, alignment of coverage plans and proactive content development across all sports.

 • Provide coaching, mentoring, and skill development in media relations, writing, digital content creation, brand storytelling, crisis response and sport-specific communication best practices.

 • Champion a collaborative, high-performance culture that values creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and timely execution while maintaining a team-oriented approach to sport coverage.

 • Coordinate cross-unit communication efforts with digital/creative, marketing, NIL, compliance, and external affairs teams, ensuring communications staff are informed, aligned, and integrated into key initiatives.

0%

Rules Compliance

 • Comply with all Federal, State, University and Department requirements established pursuant to Title IX, including the mandatory reporting requirements for a “Responsible Employee.”

 • The DIA is governed by the NCAA, Big Ten Conference, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and University of California System.  The incumbent is required to comply with the applicable rules, regulations and policies of those organizations.

    ◦ Review and retain all rules compliance disseminated by the DIA Compliance office.

    ◦ Report all NCAA and conference violations.

    ◦ Sign the annual NCAA Certification of Compliance form.

    ◦ Complete the Athletically-Related Income form annually.

    ◦ Comply with California State Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) Law and adhere to mandatory reporting guidelines.

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience & training required.

Required

Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred.

Preferred

Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in athletic communications, media relations, or strategic PR, preferably within a NCAA Division I athletics department or professional sports organization.

Required

Demonstrated experience serving as a primary spokesperson for a complex, high-profile organization, including the ability to deliver clear, compelling messaging in high-stakes or rapidly evolving situations.

Required

Expertise in executive communications, including message development, speechwriting, and strategic positioning for senior leaders, head coaches and high-visibility institutional initiatives.

Required

Superior public relations skills, including outstanding interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference and NCAA officials.

Required

Deep understanding of the college athletics media landscape, including digital media, crisis communications and brand management.

Required

Proven leadership in managing large teams across multiple sports and competing priorities; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people including various stakeholders of the program and institution.

Required

Experience in overseeing communications strategies for high-profile sports like Football and Basketball.

Required

Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for brand tone and storytelling.

Required

Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential information/material with discretion.

Required

Demonstrated ability to perform under stress and maintain composure in the face of resistance, indifference and hostility.

Required

Proficiency in media training for coaches, staff, and student-athletes, with the ability to prepare individuals for press conferences, interviews, crisis situations, and national media exposure.

Required

Ability to comply with department, University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

20%

Ability to travel for position tasks & duties as needed.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

JD Morgan Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.