The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is accepting applications for the position of Director of Communications, Digital Strategy. This is a full-time, 12-month renewable position with full University benefits. 

Summary and Basic Functions: The Director of Communications, Digital Strategy will serve in a lead communications and digital media hybrid role, acting as the primary communications contact for at least one varsity sport while leading the office’s new content idea generation efforts and providing digital/social media and creative content support for other sports and general athletics initiatives. The director will also act as the Communications office’s general feature content lead writer and assist in all aspects of office activity and in coverage of other sports and events as required. They will also serve as the Communications office’s primary liaison to the Digital Strategy office and will also collaborate with other external communications departments (Graphic Design, SoonerVision, Sooner Club, etc.).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Publicity: Manage website and administer social media platforms for assigned sport; develop written content (features and press releases); perform traditional media relations functions such as coordinating media interviews, developing game notes for TV/radio each week, pitching stories to local media; assist with awards nominations for OU student-athletes and athletics staff

Game management: Issue and distribute media credentials for assigned sport; conduct post-game press conferences; manage press box and coordinate with marketing, event management and SoonerVision groups; coordinate live updates to media and fans via live stats and social media platforms

Statistics: Run stats programs for assigned sport; keep stats during competitions and maintain statistical records throughout the season; provide stats to media, coaches and opponents throughout the season

Publications: Develop game programs, media guides, flipcards, etc. for media and fans prior to and throughout assigned sport season; collaborate with Associate AD and Director of Communications on production of annual football media guide

Content oversight: Lead Communications staff in idea generation for new content development in order to create compelling narratives and enhance the OU Athletics brand; create graphic content for digital platforms using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, etc.; formulate graphic concepts and templates that can be used by other Communications staff members; provide insights and strategies based on social performance and new trends analysis to keep OU at the forefront of the digital media landscape

Feature writer: Serve as Communications office’s primary in-house feature writer; produce short- and occasional long-form stories as identified; assist with general office news release writing

Office management: Assist Associate AD and Director of Communications in leading staff meetings and hiring searches

Other: Assist with recruiting projects for assigned sport and other sports; help with other sports throughout the department when needed; help supervise and train Communications student interns and research fellow, etc., particularly in the areas of digital media (photography, graphic design, social media, video editing, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field and minimum of two years of experience in collegiate/professional athletics communications.

Requirements: A strong graphic design background. Candidates must also possess effective writing, editing, computer, organizational, interpersonal, oral communication and mentoring skills. Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, digital photography and video editing. A demonstrated ability to think creatively and engage a variety of stakeholders, particularly students and other on-campus groups. Able to work in a fast-paced environment that includes night and weekend hours.

Departmental Preferences: Master's degree in journalism, communications or related field. Daily experience working with coaching staffs and administrators. Knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance as they pertain to publicity and promotional efforts.

Salary: Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and full University benefits package.

Application and Work Samples: Interested candidates should apply for this position on the OU Human Resources site by clicking here. Please email samples of game/meet notes, news releases, feature stories and graphics to Mike Houck, Associate AD for Strategic Communications (mhouck@ou.edu). Screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About University of Oklahoma Athletics

The University of Oklahoma Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 21 varsity sports programs (nearly 600 student-athletes) that compete at the NCAA Division I level and as members of the Big 12 Conference, except for men's gymnastics, which belongs to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. By developing leaders and inspiring champions, our mission is to create Sooner MAGIC; the department's core values are Masterful, Accountable, Gracious, Inclusive and Competitive. OU's athletics programs have combined for 40 all-time NCAA team championships, with 21 of those coming under 24th-year Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione and with 14 earned since the start of the 2012-13 academic year. Men's gymnastics paces the university's sports programs with 12 national team titles and is followed by football (7), wrestling (7), women's gymnastics (5), softball (5), baseball (2) and men's golf (2). The sport of football has produced a nation-leading 50 all-time conference championships and is tied for the all-time lead with seven Heisman Trophy winners and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks. OU student-athletes have won 13 male or female Big 12 Athlete of the Year honors in the league'...s first 24 years, including nine such accolades over the last eight years. Living up to its Inspiring Champions Today, Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow mantra, OU Athletics also boasts a track record of excellence outside of athletics competition. Student-athletes have registered a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher each of the last 20 semesters, including a department-record 3.19 figure during both the spring 2021 and fall 2021 terms. OU is located in Norman, which is Oklahoma's third-largest city with a population of more than 120,000, in the heart of the state. It is a 20-minute drive from Oklahoma City, the state capital.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at University of Oklahoma Athletics