Job Description:

Longwood Athletics is seeking an experienced, innovative, and highly motivated communications professional to serve as Director of/Assistant/Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications (GA023). The title will be determined based on experience. This position will provide strategic leadership for the department's communications and storytelling efforts while serving as the primary communications contact for men's basketball and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the athletics communications office. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader capable of balancing long-term vision with operational execution in a fast-paced Division I athletics environment.

This position will play a critical role in shaping and advancing the Longwood Athletics brand by developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies that align with the University's broader marketing and communications priorities. The ideal candidate will understand the evolving landscape of college athletics and possess a forward-thinking approach to storytelling, content creation, digital engagement, and brand development.

This position is located in Farmville, Virginia, and is required to work in person on Longwood University’s campus.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic communications vision for Longwood Athletics and its 16 Division I sports programs.
• Serve as the primary athletics liaison to University Marketing and Communications.
• Develop and execute comprehensive storytelling initiatives that elevate the visibility of Longwood Athletics, its student-athletes, coaches, and supporters.
• Ensure athletics messaging and storytelling align with the University's institutional priorities and strategic goals.
• Identify opportunities to enhance brand awareness, audience engagement, and overall visibility across all communications platforms.

Content and Brand Strategy

• Oversee the development and execution of creative content strategies across digital, social media, video, web, and emerging platforms.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop compelling content that supports recruiting, fan engagement, fundraising, sponsorship, and institutional advancement efforts.
• Monitor industry trends and implement innovative communications strategies and technologies.

Communications Operations

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the athletics communications office.
• Serve as the primary communications and media relations contact for men's basketball and additional assigned sports.
• Oversee media relations, statistical reporting, website management, publications, credentialing, and other communications functions.
• Manage communication strategies for major department initiatives, events, championships, and special projects.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, institutional, and departmental policies.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, sports management, or a related field.
• Progressive experience in athletics communications, strategic communications, media relations, or a related area.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic communications and storytelling initiatives.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience managing social media, digital content, and brand strategy.
• Ability to supervise and develop staff while effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Division I intercollegiate athletics.
• Experience leading communications teams and managing personnel.
• Demonstrated success developing creative content strategies and building audience engagement through video, social media, and emerging digital platforms.
• Experience serving as the primary communications contact for a high-profile Division I sport, preferably men's basketball.