What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sports Media Specialist position at Western Michigan University?
Position Details
Posting Summary
College
Intercollegiate Athletics-DIV
Executive Area
Intercollegiate Athletics
Department
Intercollegiate Athletics
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S1746P
Job Type
Full Time, Regular
Pay Type
Exempt/Salaried
Pay Grade
E
Campus Location
WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus
Salary Range
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.
General Summary
Oversees the day-to-day communications and media relations for designated National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I sports.
Major Duties
- Manages media and public relations for assigned sports teams, coordinating daily and game day media needs. Develops, edits, produces, and distributes informational resources for media and public.
- Updates and maintains the official website, athletic-affiliated web pages, and social media platforms.
- Archives team and student-athlete statistics, data, biographical information, and photographs for operational and historical purposes.
- Pitches story ideas to external media outlets for assigned teams and Bronco Athletics.
- Drives proactive creation and implementation of multimedia content and projects using advanced new media technologies to enhance involvement in University Athletics.
- Maximizes stakeholder engagement, to increase ticket sales, boost sponsorship revenues, and elevate donor giving.
- Collaborates with other areas of University Athletics to plan, create, and execute promotional materials and activities, in-game elements, video board operations, and enhance fan experiences at athletic events.
- Manages in-game event staff onsite for designated games, ensuring consistent brand messaging and coordinating public address, video, and entertainment scripts to optimize fan interaction and overall, in-game experience.
- Engages stakeholders to prioritize marketing initiatives, allocate budgets, and develop cohesive elements to enhance brand awareness. Implements chosen initiatives across multiple channels.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One year’s relevant experience.
- Experience working in collegiate athletics communications or professional sports media relations.
- Experience collaborating with administrators, coaches, and student-athletes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Social media experience with established and emerging applications.
- Experience in media relations in football or ice hockey.
- Ability to utilize various computer operating systems.
- Experience with creative software.
- Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including weekends and holidays
Desired Qualifications
Special Instructions to Applicants
- External applicants should use the WMU – Application.
- Internal applicants should use the WMU – Internal Application.
Additional Position Information
- Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to: www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff
- Staff Compensation System pay grades and rates are available at: www.wmich.edu/hr/staffcompensation
Physical requirements and working conditions
- Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
- Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.