Information Officer 2 - Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as an Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations. BSU’s vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU’s vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
 
Enrolling more than 4,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU’s Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture. The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.
 
The Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations is responsible for assisting the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations in all facets of operations and management of the Athletic Media Relations Office and the publicity of Bemidji State's 15 collegiate athletic programs, with special attention to football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and other sports as assigned, such as cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, including but not limited to providing work direction for student staff; responding to media requests. Coordinating media interviews; advising coaches and student-athletes for media interviews and social media communications. Compiling game and season-long individual and team statistics and program record books. Generating creative content for BSUBeavers.com as well as University and program social media channels. Producing, shooting and editing highlight videos, news stories, and promotional content for other university electronic outlets. The Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations will be required to work weekends during the academic year, depending on sport program assignments and the schedule of events, with evening work on certain weekdays also required.
 
Responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations include:

• Compiling news releases, publications and printing material. Supervising and training of student staff and intern positions and identifying and assigning of short and long-term projects to student staff. Fostering positive interactions between department and media (local, regional, hometown and national). Cultivating story ideas to generate media coverage and social media interest. Coordinating interviews with local, regional and national media outlets. Assisting in maintenance and the development of content for BSUBeavers.com. Generating pregame notes packages, game programs, etc. appropriate to coverage; postgame recaps, highlights, interviews, etc. appropriate to coverage. Assisting in developing content for a monthly electronic newsletter and University magazine. Percentage of time: 40%
•  On game day, assisting with the organization of statistical teams for department events. Compiling accurate statistics at events and distributing to media outlets, etc. Working with media to ensure those covering the events have all the information needed to shine the most positive and complete light on the department, its programs, coaches and student-athletes, though postgame interviews, game notes packages, rosters, pronunciation guides, etc. Overseeing and training student game day staff. Percentage of time: 30% 
•  Developing content, which includes video, for the department’s and individual sport program social media channels. Managing department’s content calendar. Assisting in the development and integration of contests, behind-the-scenes access, Q&As, trivia, contests and other tools of engagement. Assisting in the development and integration of graphic design elements such as infograph images, used to tell the story of events beyond text and aid in the marketing efforts of the department, programs, coaches and student athletes. Percentage of time: 20%
•  Assisting in the identification and nominations for a variety of athletic and academic awards the department's administrators, programs, coaches and student-athletes are eligible for through NSIC, WCHA, and a variety of organizations. Percentage of time: 5%
•  Completing historical research and archiving. Keeping accurate records of department programs, coaches and student-athlete accomplishments, photos and statistics. Assisting in the further development of the department’s record books, rosters, award winners, etc. Percentage of time: 5%

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferred degree in journalism, communications, sports marketing, public relations or related field.
• One year of experience working within sports information, intercollegiate athletics, public relations or electronic or in a print media setting.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Understanding of operations of a collegiate athletics department.
• Strong computer skills in desktop publishing, graphic design, video editing, statistical software and website maintenance.
• Understanding of new media.
• Understanding of standards and practices in media relations.
• Familiar with NCAA legislation regarding publicity activities.

• Three years of experience working within sports information, intercollegiate athletics, public relations or electronic or in a print media setting.
• Proficiency in the use of software in the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience using Apple computers.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.