Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs

Description

The Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs is a senior leadership role within SIU Athletics focused on increasing the program’s visibility, reputation, and revenue. The position oversees all external operations, including media relations, communications, public relations, broadcasting, marketing of ticket sales, marketing sponsorships, promotions, fan engagement, and game day experience. It is also responsible for developing and executing a unified communications and branding strategy to ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all platforms and audiences.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Examples of Duties

The role also develops and implements a comprehensive communications and branding strategy to ensure a consistent, compelling, and unified message across all platforms and audiences.

• Communications & Media Relations
  • Lead all aspects of sports information, media relations, and public relations to enhance the visibility and reputation of Saluki Athletics.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan that ensures a consistent departmental message across all channels.
  • Serve as primary liaison to local, regional, and national media outlets.
• 
  Marketing, Branding & Fan Engagement
  • Oversee strategic marketing initiatives designed to grow ticket sales, revenue, and fan engagement.
  • Manage and expand athletics marketing of licensing, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships.
  • Lead promotions, advertising, and branding efforts for all sport programs and the department as a whole.
  • Direct the development and management of all social media content, digital design, and branding strategies.
  • Oversee athletics website design, maintenance, and content strategy.
• 
  Broadcasting & Game Day Experience
  • Oversee the production and delivery of all radio and television broadcasts.
  • Direct game day production, including video board operations, in-game entertainment, and fan engagement experiences.
  • Ensure high-quality broadcast and in-arena presentations that align with Saluki Athletics’ brand standards.
• 
  Leadership & Staff Management
  • Manage, mentor, and evaluate a team of 10 full-time staff members, student interns, and various game day employees.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the external affairs unit.
  • Work closely with other members of the athletics leadership team to align external initiatives with the overall goals of SIU Athletics.

Position Characteristics

• Reports directly to the Director of Athletics.
• Serves as a senior advisor on all matters related to communications, branding, and external relations.
• Plays a critical role in shaping the public perception and financial sustainability of SIU Athletics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, sports management, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in athletics administration, external relations, or a closely related field.
• Proven success in strategic communications, marketing, revenue generation, sponsorship development, and fan engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff, budgets, and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills.

• Advanced degree preferred

Contact: Cathy Perry, [email protected]

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master’s degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits, employee tuition waivers, and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit: https://jobs.siu.edu/.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program.

SIUC also provides extensive tuition benefits for its employees and their families such as: tuition waiver/application fee waiver for the employee and their dependents, a Legacy tuition rate for children of SIU Alumni, and Civil Service Employee Counsel (CSEC) Education Assistance Program (EAP).

For more information please visit: https://hr.siu.edu/benefits/