Sports Information Director

Title: Sports Information Director

Employee Classification: Other Administrative

Institution: Roane State Community College

Department: Public Information

Campus Location: Roane State Community College

Job Summary

The Sports Information Director (SID) plays a critical role in promoting and managing the athletic department's communication and public relations efforts. The SID is responsible for coordinating all aspects of sports media relations. This position is responsible for managing the college's athletics website and social media platforms and serving as the primary contact for media inquiries. The SID oversees the collection and analysis of sports statistics, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to governing bodies and the public. Additionally, the SID is tasked with producing content such as videos, game programs, still photography, feature stories, and promotional materials, while also organizing and facilitating media coverage for athletic events. The SID works closely with coaches, athletes, and administrative staff to enhance the visibility and reputation of the college's athletic programs.

The Sports Information Director will report to the director of athletics but will also provide support to the college’s marketing and communications office as needed. The marketing and communications director may assign work for this position and is responsible for the oversight of brand management and all communications extending to Athletics.

A passion for sports is essential for this position. There is no off-season, and every day will be different. The person in this role will be working frequently with college administration, student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, and the public; the ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences across various platforms is critical. A detail-oriented individual with a strong sense of urgency who is comfortable managing multiple projects at a time will be necessary.

Job Duties

• Roane State seeks a sports information director who will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of communications from the athletics department, including but not limited to:
• Media relations (crafting and disseminating news releases, responding to media requests, and coordinating interview opportunities for coaches, student-athletes, and the director of athletics, with oversight from the college’s marketing and communications director).
• Digital communications (managing all athletics social media accounts, updating the athletics website, creating graphics and other materials with athletics branding upon request).
• Photography and videography (capturing home and away game action shots of all sports, coordinating photo shoots for student-athletes and athletics staff, producing video features for social media, website, and external/internal promotion).
• Gameday coverage (calling/announcing at various home games and tournaments as needed, crafting pre- and post-game news articles/blurbs/social posts, producing content for digital displays during events, assisting with the promotion and execution of tournaments hosted by the college).
• Data management (assist athletics coaching staff and administration with keeping records and identifying career/season/historical milestones).
• Other duties as assigned
• In this dual role, the Sports Information Director may be asked to: 1. Write, proofread, and/or post content to the college’s main website. 2. Develop media guides, brochures, programs, and other publications working with both offices. 3. Analyze trends and utilize the data to improve communications about athletics. 4. Serve as a backup photographer/videographer for the college. 5. Help manage college social media accounts or serve as a backup on college accounts. 6. Pitch marketing projects for athletics as part of an overall college strategic communications plan. 7. Develop reports summarizing marketing and communications efforts within athletics.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, sports management, or a related field.
• Additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in a higher education or similar environment preferred.
• At least three years of experience as a communication professional preferred.
• Understanding of multiple sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, golf, cross country, volleyball, and soccer.
• Strong written and verbal communication, particularly writing for web, social, and news.
• Experience with content management systems for websites, such as Presto Sports, as well as social media management (Meta, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.).
• Photo and video editing (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) and live streaming (Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook Live, etc.).
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• This role requires strong communication skills, proficiency in digital media, and a deep understanding of collegiate sports.
• Ability to work nights and weekends, with occasional travel to other college campuses.
• Knowledge of NJCAA/TCCAA regulations.