Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

Details

Posted: 26-Jun-25

Location: KALAMAZOO, Michigan

Type: Full-time

Salary: Competitive Salary w/benefits

Categories

Operations

Operations - Sports Information

Sector

Collegiate Sports

Salary Details

Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to: www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff Staff Compensation System pay grades and rates are available at: www.wmich.edu/hr/staffcompensation

Required Education

4 Year Degree

Internal Number: S1193P

HR Title: Sports Media Specialist

General Summary

Oversees the day-to-day communications and media relations for Western Michigan's women's basketball, men's soccer, softball and women's golf teams.

Major Duties

• Manages media and public relations for assigned sports teams, coordinating daily and game day media needs. Develops, edits, produces, and distributes informational resources for the media and the public.
• Updates and maintains the official website, athletic-affiliated web pages, and social media platforms.
• Archives team and student-athlete statistics, data, biographical information, and photographs for operational and historical purposes.
• Pitches story ideas to external media outlets for assigned teams and Bronco Athletics.
• Drives proactive creation and implementation of multimedia content and projects using advanced new media technologies to enhance involvement in University Athletics.
• Maximizes stakeholder engagement to increase ticket sales, boost sponsorship revenues, and elevate donor giving.
• Collaborates with other areas of University Athletics to plan, create, and execute promotional materials and activities, in-game elements, video board operations, and enhance fan experiences at athletic events.
• Manages in-game event staff onsite for designated games, ensuring consistent brand messaging and coordinating public address, video, and entertainment scripts to optimize fan interaction and overall in-game experience.
• Engages stakeholders to prioritize marketing initiatives, allocate budgets, and develop cohesive elements to enhance brand awareness. Implements chosen initiatives across multiple channels.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year’s relevant experience.
• Experience working in collegiate athletics communications or professional sports media relations.
• Experience collaborating with administrators, coaches, and student-athletes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Social media experience with established and emerging applications.
• Experience in media relations in football or ice hockey.
• Ability to utilize various computer operating systems.
• Experience with creative software.
• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including weekends and holidays.
  
  

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About Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, research university, building intellectual inquiry and discovery into undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in a way that fosters knowledge and innovation, and transforms wisdom into action. As a public university, WMU provides leadership in teaching, research, learning, and service, and is committed to enhancing the future of our global citizenry. Nationally and internationally recognized, the University aspires to distinguish itself as learner-centered, discovery-driven, and globally engaged. The synergy of these three pillars enables WMU to be a premier and distinctive university of choice. Western Michigan University offers all students a learning community designed for and dedicated to their success. We are committed to access and affordability, and sustaining an environment in which every student can meet the world head-on and triumph.WMU has more than 250,000 alumni worldwide, living in all 50 U.S. states and some 140 other countries. Of the University's total alumni, about 73 percent —183,831—reside in America and about 51 percent—128,887—reside in Michigan.

• The University has a diverse student body, with minor...ity groups making up 23 percent, graduate students 21 percent and international students 8 percent.
• Despite its size and complexity, WMU has a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, two-thirds of undergraduate classes have 30 or fewer students, and undergraduates have ample opportunities to work closely with faculty researchers and artists.
• Within three months of graduation, 91 percent of alumni are employed, engaged in military service or full-time volunteer work, or continuing their education; 88 percent are satisfied with their jobs; and 85 percent have jobs related to their degree.
• Ranked No. 1 among Top U.S. Sales Schools by Study.com, the sales and business marketing program is one of just a handful of majors focusing on both selling and sales leadership and since 2007 has been recognized by the Sales Education Foundation as being one of the Top University Sales Programs.
• National researcher Gartner lists the integrated supply management program among the nation's 10 leading supply chain undergraduate programs and has done so for the past three years.
• WMU has the world’s oldest, largest and premiere blindness and low vision studies program of its kind in the world.
• The Haworth College of Business is among an elite group of fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide that are accredited at both the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business as well as among the select 1 percent that have additional specialized AACSB accreditation for their accountancy programs. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics adds to the vitality of campus life. WMU is committed to gender equity and is an NCAA Division I school in the Mid-American Conference (Football Bowl Subdivision) and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
• By posting the league's best overall GPA for the academic year, the 398 student-athletes in WMU's 15 Mid-American Conference sports brought home the 2016-17 MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award.
• WMU's male student-athletes have had the highest overall GPA in the Mid-American Conference five times, capturing the MAC's academic achievement award for men more often than any other school in the league. In an effort to better define and measure what comprehensive excellence and the holistic development of Bronco Student-Athletes, Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae have unveiled Broncos REIGN: WMU Athletics’ Strategic Plan. REIGN is the acronym for WMU’s mission and stands for Reign as champions; Empower those we serve; Inspire community; Grow leaders, and Navigate and adapt. THE VISION: We will distinguish ourselves through COMPREHENSIVE EXCELLENCE enhancing the BRONCO LEGACY. THOSE IT WILL SERVE: Bronco Student-Athletes: We will lead the country in the holistic development of our athletes. Bronco Fans, Alums, and Supporters: We will serve as collaborative and transparent partners with high-quality connections and energizing events. Bronco Staff and Coaches: We will create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports personal and professional growth. Broncos Reign took the values and priorities of the department and developed them into six strategic goals: 1) The Bronco Experience - Student-Athlete Holistic Development: We will be recognized as a national leader in the holistic development of our student-athletes. 2) The Winner’s Circle - Competitive Success/Championship Culture: We will annually compete at the top of our conferences, win championships and strive for national recognition in our sports programs. 3) Raising the Stakes - Aggressive Revenue Generation: We will develop and maximize sustainable resources to provide stable financial streams that lead our conferences. 4) Broncos United - Diversity Equity & Inclusion: We will be the front runner that drives our campus and conference standards for a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment. 5) The Stables – Facilities: We will invest in facilities that enhance the student-athlete experience, provide events that are unique and memorable for our fans and compare favorably to our peers. 6) The Power of the Heard - Community Engagement: We will harness the power of our brand through strategic partnerships with our campus, community, the state of Michigan and Broncos worldwide. Show more
  
  

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