Job DescriptionThe Assistant Athletics Director for External Relations & Communications is a key member of the Austin Peay Athletics external operations team. This position leads the strategic execution of the department's external communications, digital brand presence, social media initiatives, and comprehensive content strategy. The role serves as the primary sports information contact for football and one Olympic sport, ensuring high-quality coverage, storytelling, and media relations that elevate the Governors' brand locally, regionally, and nationally.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
External Communications & Media Relations- Direct and manage all aspects of the athletics department's external communications strategy, ensuring consistent, compelling, and brand-aligned messaging across platforms.
- Serve as the primary media relations contact for football and one assigned Olympic sport, including game-day operations, statistics, media coordination, and post-event reporting.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to increase coverage and visibility of Austin Peay Athletics.
- Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, game notes, feature stories, and other written content.
- Coordinate interview requests, press conferences, and media availability for coaches, student-athletes, and administrators.
Digital Brand & Content Strategy- Lead the department's digital brand strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional standards and athletics marketing objectives.
- Oversee the planning, creation, and execution of multimedia content-including video, graphics, photography, and written storytelling-to enhance fan engagement and brand identity.
- Collaborate with marketing, creative services, and external operations staff to develop integrated campaigns that support ticket sales, fundraising, and fan experience initiatives.
- Manage the department's official athletics website, ensuring timely updates, accuracy, and engaging presentation.
Social Media Leadership- Direct the athletics department's social media strategy across all platforms, ensuring consistent voice, timely content, and data-driven growth.
- Supervise sport-specific social media accounts, providing guidance, training, and oversight to ensure brand consistency and compliance with departmental standards.
- Monitor analytics and trends to optimize engagement and inform future content planning.
Leadership & Collaboration- Supervise full-time staff, graduate assistants, student workers, and interns within the communications and digital media areas.
- Work collaboratively with internal units-including marketing, development, creative services, compliance, and event operations-to support departmental goals.
- Ensure all communications and content adhere to NCAA, conference, and university policies and standards.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Strategic thinking and creativity
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Leadership and team development
- Attention to detail and organizational excellence
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
Minimum Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, sport management, marketing, or related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in intercollegiate athletics communications, media relations, or digital content creation.
- Demonstrated experience working with Division I football strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., NCAA Live Stats), Adobe Creative Suite, and content management systems.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and travel as required
Physical Requirements- Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
About UsAustin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.
Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU:
https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/.
Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at
williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at
gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU's full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.
