Assistant AD/Strategic Communications (34568) (Specialty Factors)

EXPIRED

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title

Assistant AD/Strategic Communications (34568) (Specialty Factors)

Classification

Athletic Communications Associate

Position Number

00034568

Open Date

View Full Description

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title

Assistant AD/Strategic Communications (34568) (Specialty Factors)

Classification

Athletic Communications Associate

Position Number

00034568

Open Date

05/28/2025

Close Date

06/09/2025

Priority Review Date

Employee Class

Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time

FTE

1.00

Position Status

Regular

FLSA

Exempt

Job code

5005

Union Representation

Non-Union

Union Code

N/A

Unit/Department

Intercollegiate Athletics

College/Unit

Intercollegiate Athletics

Division

Div Intercollegiate Athletics

Location

CC 204

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

https://niuhuskies.com/index.aspx

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

| Overview |
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Athletic Director/Strategic Communications. This is a full-time, 12-month position with benefits. This position will coordinate media relations/communications and manage public relations aspects for the NIU Football program.

The mission of NIU Athletics is to enhance the University, community and region through service and engagement while developing champions in the classroom, in competition and in life. With long standing traditions and core values centered on family, NIU Athletics is home to 17 NCAA Division I sport programs. Northern Illinois University, chartered in 1895, is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with over 17,000 currently enrolled students and houses seven (7) degree-granting colleges—Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Centrally located in DeKalb, Northern Illinois University is 30 miles west of Aurora, 65 miles west of Chicago, 36 miles west of Naperville, and 45 miles southeast of Rockford. | | Position Summary |
This position will work closely with the Sr. Associate AD/Collegiate Advancement & External Affairs, the Head Football Coach, and the Assistant Athletic Director of Football Operations. | | Essential Duties and Responsibilities |
Public Relations – 55%

1. Manage all publicity and public relations for NIU Athletics football program, including developing strategies, advising coaches and administrators.
2. Coordinate all media events, including press conferences, and set up procedures for media relations coverage of game operations for NIU Football program as well as promote football student-athletes, coaches and the football program for national and conference awards

Crisis Communications – 10%

1. Handle any NIU football program crisis communications with Senior Associate AD for Collegiate Advancement & External Affairs in conjunction with Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics and University Media representatives.

Promotions & Fan Engagement – 10%

1. Coordinate with other leaders within the External Areas to create opportunities to promote NIU Football to media, fans and community, using new media and traditional methods.

Radio & TV Network – 10%

1. Produce radio network and NIU television broadcasts with multimedia partners, including weekly shows for NIU Football program.

Social Media – 10%

1. Oversee editorial content (written and video) for NIUHuskies.com as well as NIU Athletics social media efforts, including but not limited to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter for the NIU Football program.

Other Related Duties – 5%

1. Cover other sports programs and special projects as assigned.
2. Perform other related duties as assigned.

| | Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service) |
1. Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Sports Communications, Sports Marketing, Sports Management, Public Relations, Communications, English, or a related field. 2. One (1) year (12 months) of professional experience working in the athletic communications/sports information field. 3. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience. | | Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service) |
1. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, presentation software, spreadsheet software, video creation and editing software, web page creation and editing software, and analytical or scientific software. 2. Knowledge of media production, including social media platforms and efficiency of use, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. 3. Knowledge of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) regulations. 4. Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products and services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. 5. Knowledge of all department-sponsored sports. 6. Knowledge and skill in athletic statistics software (i.e. Stat Crew). 7. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 8. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 9. Skill in time management, organizing work assignments, and responding quickly and effectively to challenges. 10. Skill in quality control analysis. 11. Ability to take and edit photos, and write and edit news releases, feature stories, brochures, and reports.

| | Specialty Factors (Civil Service) |
1. At least three (3) years of progressive experience in athletic media relations. 2. Experience working with local, regional and national media outlets. 3. Must have strong management, media relations and communications skills. 4. Must possess knowledge of budgeting, computers, sport statistical packages, internet and desktop publishing.

| | Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service) |
- Master’s Degree. - Three (3) years of supervisory experience in athletic media relations. - NCAA Division I football media relations experience.

| | Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS) |
N/A | | Additional Requirements (SPS) |
N/A | | Preferred Qualifications (SPS) |
N/A | | Physical demands/requirements |
- General office requirements. - Using computer/electronic equipment for extended periods of time.

|

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

| Anticipated Appointment Start Date | 06/01/2025 | | Anticipated Appointment End Date | | | Percent of Staff Year | 1.00 | | Standard Hours Per Week | 37.50 | | Working Hours | Varies; Days/Nights/Weekends | | Salary | $58,500.00 - $62,500.08/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package. | | Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range | $2,437.50-$2,604.17/Semi-monthly | | Earn Type | Salary |

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

| Application Procedure |
Application Procedures:

1. Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.

   • If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

2. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.

3. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu

4. Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

• Click on Athletic Communication Associate for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.

  • Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements.

• Please click on Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.

• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

| | Special Instructions |
Please submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Journalism/Writing Examples (2)
• List of Professional References

| | Quick Link to Applicant | https://employment.niu.edu/postings/8... | | Is Background Check Required? | Yes | | EEO Statement Summary |
In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560 | | Visa Policy |

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

| | ADA Accommodation |
NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu. | | Safety Information |
NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy. |

Applicant Documents

Required Documents 1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2. Cover Letter 3. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire) 4. Writing Sample 5. Sample Publications 6. List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents 1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256) 2. Portfolio/URL 3. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?

   • Yes
   • No

2. * What is the highest level of education attained?

   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • PHD

3. * Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration?

   • Yes
   • No

4. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

   • 0-1
   • 1-3
   • 3-5
   • 5-7
   • 7+

5. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

1. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable

Apply Now

View Less Description