Assistant Director of Sports Information

McKendree University welcomes applications for the position of Assistant Director of Sports Information located at its Lebanon, IL campus. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

Under the supervision of the Director of Sports Information, this position plays a key role in the messaging and branding of McKendree University Athletics through various platforms to successfully promote its student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department. The University is a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference, which is one of the premier Division II leagues in the country. This position also assists with management of home athletic events, along with training and working with two graduate assistants and numerous student workers.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handles day-to-day media relation responsibilities for assigned sports programs
• Serves as on-campus host for assigned intercollegiate athletic events and coordinates coverage for those events
• Prepares news releases, feature articles relating to assigned sports
• Distributes sports information and serves as a liaison to local, state, conference, and national media (print, TV, radio, online)
• Writes, designs and oversees production of game programs and other promotional publications for athletics
• Promotes and nominates individual student-athletes for awards and post-season honors
• Coordinates and helps run the GLVC Sports Network at McKendree University and assists in the creation of quality video content for both the athletics website and social media channels
• Helps with the training of students and graduate assistants to help run the GLVC Sports Network
• Assists in department graphic design and digital media needs
• Works to make sure that the department’s graphic designs ensure correct user of McKendree logos
• Assists is keeping record of all photography and video highlight footage for the department
• Assists in helping maintain the official Department of Athletics website (www.mckbearcats.com)
• Helps maintain statistical software to keep NCAA-mandated stats and oversees official reporting of all contests to the NCAA and other affiliated organizations
• Maintains athletic records and statistical files and submits statistical records on time in accordance with NCAA and GLVC requirements
• Assists with the training of graduate assistants, students and game-day workers on the statistical programs
• Assists in the oversight of all athletics social media and works to promote McKendree Athletics by managing all content on the department’s social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others)
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field
• Minimum of two years’ experience in collegiate/professional athletics communications.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong graphic design and digital media background
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and NCAA LiveStats and Stat Crew software
• Possess effective writing, editing, computer, organizational, interpersonal, oral communication and mentoring skills
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and engage a variety of stakeholders, particularly students and other on-campus groups
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Able to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment that includes night and weekend hours with some travel
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Knowledge of working with Sidearm websites
• Knowledge of NCAA rules
• Digital photography experience
  
  

Work Hours/Conditions

Office environment with routine walking to other campus buildings, offices and athletic venues on campus, along with driving to off-campus athletic venues both in Lebanon and O’Fallon, Il.. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; but position will require night and weekend commitments during the academic year; Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; Must be able to lift up to 15-20 pounds at times.

McKendree University, Illinois’ first and finest, is a private university in Lebanon, IL, just 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, home of the 11-time World Series champs (St. Louis Cardinals) and the 2019 Stanley Cup winner (St. Louis Blues). St. Louis also boasts a wonderful zoo, a first-rate botanical garden, a vibrant art scene (both performing and visual), and a plethora of top-notch restaurants.

Interviews will begin immediately. Qualified candidates should complete and submit the McKendree Employment Application and send a letter of interest referencing job #ASI50 with a resume/CV and contact information for three professional references to the Human Resources Department at hr@mckendree.edu.

McKendree is an ADA/EEO/Vet/Disabled employer committed to enhancing the cultural and gender diversity of the campus. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.