Associate Athletic Director for Communications

University of North Texas

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of experience in athletics communications or sports information.
  • Thorough understanding of NCAA rules and regulations.
  • Significant experience in managing multiple deadlines across different sports.
  • Proven leadership and relationship-building skills.
  • Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee public relations and crisis communications for the department.
  • Implement creative strategic communications plans for promoting sports programs.
  • Act as the main contact for media relations related to student-athletes and coaches.
  • Coordinate media operations for home events and ensure efficient event management.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing communications and sports information staff.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including retirement eligibility.
  • Access to additional professional development resources.
  • Opportunities for community engagement and collaboration with faculty and staff.
Full Job Description
Associate Athletic Director for Communications

Job no: 515080
Work type: Staff
Location: Denton
Categories: Athletics, Student Services/Student Affairs

Title: Associate Athletic Director for Communications

Employee Classification: Associate Athletic Director

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Athletics

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Athletic Admin

Department: UNT-Athletics-Gen-220000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

Department Summary

The University of North Texas competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference. North Texas' athletic programs are classified as NCAA Division I, the largest and highest division among all colleges and universities. The 46,000 square-foot Athletic Center located off South Bonnie Brae Street is the centerpiece of North Texas athletics. Athletics strives to conduct a competitive athletics program that promotes faculty, staff, student and community affiliation and participation with the North Texas Athletics. Provide facilities which attract the highest level of talent and allow student-athletes to perform at the highest level in practice and during competition.

Position Overview

UNT Athletics is seeking an experienced, strategic leader to serve as Assistant or Associate Athletic Director for Communications. Reporting directly to the Senior Associate AD for External Relations, this individual will be the department's lead voice and strategist for Communications, Sports Information, and Media Relations across all Mean Green Athletics. This is a senior communications leadership role responsible for full oversight of the Communications/SID unit, department-wide public relations and crisis communications, and the strategic direction of how UNT Athletics tells its story to fans, media, and the national college athletics landscape.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in in related field and four years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations; strong news judgment and crisis-communications instincts; ability to manage multiple deadlines across sports and seasons simultaneously; strong leadership, writing, and relationship-building skills; sound judgment under the pressure of live events and competing media demands.
• Significant progressive experience in collegiate athletics communications or sports information, including experience leading or supervising staff.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience managing media relationships and crisis communications.
• Ability to work a variable schedule, including evenings, weekends, and travel based on the competition calendar.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in journalism, communications, sport management, or a related field.
• Experience at the NCAA Division I FBS level, ideally within a Power Four or Group of Six conference.
• Experience managing a multi-sport communications/SID staff.
• Familiarity with NCAA and conference statistics and reporting platforms.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties

  • Strategic Communications & Media Relations • Oversee public relations and crisis management communications for the athletics department. • Identify and implement new and creative strategic communications plans for the department. • Serve as the department's communications and public relations contact for student-athletes, coaches, and administrators with external constituents. • Actively promote and publicize key department and program messages while cultivating relationships with local, regional, and national media. • Fulfill media requests for interviews and information in a thorough and timely manner, developing and maintaining positive relationships with the media that covers Mean Green Athletics.
  • Sports Information & Game Day Operations • Provide full oversight of the Communications/SID unit, including staffing, workflow, and quality standards across all sport programs. • Coordinate media operations for home events across assigned sports, including reporting game results and ensuring events run efficiently and effectively. • Assist and support other communications staff with media operations for additional events, including home and away contests, as needed. • Produce and oversee press releases for assigned sports efficiently and on deadline, ensuring compliance with conference and NCAA deadlines for information and award nominations. • Maintain permanent record-keeping and historical archives for UNT athletics programs.
  • Leadership & Department Collaboration • Assist the Associate Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Vice President/Director of Athletics, and Senior Associate AD for External Relations with the planning and execution of special projects, events, promotions, and presentations that span communications, marketing, and creative. • Partner closely with marketing, creative services, and broadcast leadership to ensure a consistent, elevated brand voice across every fan and media touchpoint. • Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing communications and sports information staff.


Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Lifting and moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Environmental Hazards

Elevated temperatures.
Low temperatures.
Noisy environments.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Work Schedule

Varies based on segment of the season and assigned sports.

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

Advertised: 18 Sep 2026 Central Daylight Time
Applications close:

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