Media Relations Professional III (Athletics)

The University of Arizona's Athletics Department invites you to apply to the role of Media Relations Professional III.

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success.

The individual Directing Strategic Communications for Football is responsible for leading and executing all communications, media relations, and public-facing strategies for a Power 4 football program. This position serves as the primary communications liaison for the head football coach, coaching staff, and student-athletes, ensuring consistent, innovative, and strategic messaging across traditional, digital, and emerging media platforms.

The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, creative services, marketing, broadcasting, and external relations units to elevate the national visibility of the football program while protecting and enhancing the institution's brand.

This position requires the ability work a flexible schedule, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Strategic Leadership & Media Relations:

• Serve as the primary
  public relations representative for the football program, including daily
  interaction with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Develop and implement
  comprehensive communications plans that align with the department's brand,
  vision, and strategic priorities.
• Act as the primary
  spokesperson and provide media training and strategic counsel to football
  coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
• Coordinate press
  conferences, interview requests, and media availability for coaches and
  student-athletes.

Content Creation & Storytelling:

• Lead the development of
  written, digital, and social media content highlighting the program's
  competitive achievements, student-athlete experiences, academic success,
  and community engagement.
• Oversee the creation of
  weekly game notes, press releases, postseason guides, and media
  supplements.
• Partner with creative
  services and marketing to design innovative content strategies that drive
  fan engagement and national brand recognition.

Game Day & Event Operations:

• Manage the press box,
  media workroom, and all football game-day communications operations,
  including credentialing and statistical services.
• Serve as the primary
  liaison with television, radio, and digital broadcast partners.
• Coordinate postseason
  communications operations for bowl games, championships, and NFL Draft
  preparation.

Student-Athlete Support:

• Promote student-athlete
  achievements on and off the field, positioning them for conference,
  regional, and national awards.
• Support student-athletes
  in navigating the modern media landscape, including NIL visibility, social
  media presence, and brand management.

Collaboration & Supervision:

• Build and maintain
  strong relationships with conference office communications staff and
  national media outlets.
• Budget Accountability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
• Knowledge of basic computer operations and software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions.
• Dedication and motivation to initiate, lead and support value-added projects.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Knowledge of NCAA, Conference and University rules and procedures.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and has a positive demeanor.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Five years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's Degree.
• Experience working for a Division I Communications Department.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations.

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men's basketball or women's basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?