Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3 (007462)

UCPath Position ID: 40064822

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

7/2/2024 10:05:30 AM

Date Last Edited:

7/2/2024 10:05:26 AM

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:

40064822

Position Description ID

213580

UC Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3 (007462)

Business Title:

Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 22

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40059343

Reports to Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40713754

Department Head Payroll Title:

ATH MGR 4 PAC12

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Athletic Communications, the Assistant Director, Athletic Communications shall develop and write, both in news and feature form, press releases about the coaches and athletes of assigned sports and disseminate this information to the media and to the public via the UCLA Athletics website and social media channels in an effort to publicize various UCLA athletic teams. The Assistant Director, Athletic Communications will also compile notes and statistics for their assigned sports; oversee social media posts of assigned teams; maintain and update the sports' website; write and update coach and athlete biographies; update and digitally publish information guides; pitch stories to media; and act as an on-the-record spokesperson and liaison between the coaches and athletes of their assigned sports and members of the print and electronic media. The Assistant Director, Athletic Communications will also staff home events and oversee press operations for their assigned sports and other home athletic events as needed. They may also travel with assigned teams when deemed appropriate by their supervisor, reporting results of events to media, including the UCLA Athletics website and social media outlets, and assisting media covering the events. 

Media and Press Liaison

 • Serve as liaison between DIA and media and public.

 • Provide information on athletes, statistics, and records to media for assigned sports.

 • Work with student-athletes and coaches to generate feature story ideas for media.

 • Write, produce, and distribute news releases on UCLA's athletic teams to media.

 • Post releases and features on the official Athletic Department website and share on social media outlets.

 • Organize and host press conferences for assigned sports and NCAA events.

 • Build relationships with and update game broadcasters of assigned sports.

 • Proactive media outreach to sports and non-sports outlets.

30%

Official UCLA Athletic Department Website/Social Media

 • Maintain assigned sports data on the official UCLA Athletic Department website.

 • Develop ideas for content, including player features and video items.

 • Work with fellow Athletic Communication team members who are responsible for various sports as needed.

 • Write, research, edit and format, from start to finish, brochures for information guides of various sports before start of season.

 • Ensure all current information and data are displayed and all older material is archived.

 • Oversee and maintain regular posting on social media accounts for assigned sports.

 • Post and create content and interact with fans through social media as relevant to assigned sports.

20%

Home Sporting Events

 • Run press box, photographic, and statistical areas at home events.

 • Responsible for event programs and other printed material to inform media and public about UCLA Athletic Department events.

 • Issue press credentials for UCLA home events.

 • Arrange interviews following games with coaches and student-athletes.

 • Disseminate regular/in-game/scores/news updates.

 • Ensure that live stats are available and running at home games.

20%

Away Games

 • Travel to select away events and NCAA championships to assist team and media as needed.

 • Provide media and broadcasters with information on athletes, stats, and records for various sports.

 • Arrange interviews with UCLA coaches and athletes.

 • Post and/or create content and updates on team social media accounts.

 • Report results to media and update applicable websites.

15%

Other Duties

 • Nominate coaches and players for national awards (athletic and academic). Work with NCAA and governing bodies of individual sports.

 • Work with other external units of athletic department to coordinate messaging

 • Attend regularly-scheduled unit and department meetings.

 • Mentor student interns.

10%

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 (MPSF), and University of California System.  The incumbent is required to comply with the applicable rules, regulations and policies of those organizations.

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

o Report all NCAA and Conference violations.

o Sign the annual NCAA Certification of Compliance form.

o Complete the Athletically Related Income form annually.

o 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

Prior Athletic Communications experience at the university or college level is required.

Required

Ability to quickly and efficiently use the Internet, social media sites and applications, including how to post and update material on the official UCLA Athletic Department website.

Required

Skill in operating a basic computer statistical system, including typing skills to quickly and accurately prepare materials on various media platforms and using via computer, tablet, laptop and/or cell phone.

Required

Skill in proofreading copy and printed materials and ability to edit for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Required

Skill in effective interpersonal communications (written, phone, and in-person), including ability to speak in public.

Required

Strong news judgement and knowledge of crisis communications.

Required

Skill in creative writing, layout design, and skills in effective and organized research.

Required

Ability to prioritize work assignments and media value, including ability to make sound decisions under pressure and to quickly shift priorities.

Required

Skill in working with NCAA statistics for sports and skill in dealing with broadcast entities at events.

Required

Skill in and knowledge of social media tactics and ability to plan and execute specific PR campaigns and press conferences

Required

Ability to adhere to and comply with NCAA rules and regulations.

Required

Skill in graphic design and the photographic process, including working knowledge of related computer programs, including InDesign, Photoshop, Powerpoint, Word and Outlook.

Required

Knowledge of NCAA national championship event procedures and guidelines.

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".

10%

Ability to travel for team events.

Ability to work odd hours, including weekends.

Required

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

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

X

Climbing

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

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.