Job Description

Position Title & Department:

Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and Communications; Athletics
Posting #

5539

Department Description:
As part of the University of San Diego, a Roman Catholic University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to advancing academic and athletic excellence and enhancing students' lives while promoting the University of San Diego.
University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges

Detailed Description:

The Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and Communications oversees the department’s integrated marketing and storytelling strategy across all athletics programs. This position ensures alignment between marketing campaigns, creative storytelling, digital platforms, and communications efforts to elevate the athletics brand and drive attendance, engagement, and revenue.

In addition to leading marketing initiatives, this role provides minimal sports information support for assigned programs by assisting with storytelling content, written communications, and media coordination when needed. The position plays a key role in ensuring consistent messaging, compelling storytelling, and strong fan engagement across all athletics platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Marketing & Fan Engagement

• Lead the marketing and communications strategy for all sports programs with assignment to specific sports programs.
• Oversee marketing campaigns focused on attendance growth, fan engagement, and revenue generation.
• Develop sport-specific marketing plans aligned with departmental priorities.
• Manage and execute game-day marketing initiatives and fan experience activations.
• Coordinate marketing support for ticket sales initiatives and promotional campaigns.
• Oversee Kids Club and like programs to help increase fanbase and revenue.

Storytelling & Content Strategy

• Direct storytelling initiatives across digital, video, social, and written platforms.
• Collaborate with creative services to produce compelling content highlighting student-athletes, coaches, and program success.
• Ensure consistent brand messaging and storytelling across athletics communications channels.

Digital & Email Marketing

• Develop and execute email marketing campaigns, including promotional and coordinate solicitation emails.
• Coordinate and guide digital marketing initiatives across social media, web, and paid marketing channels to promote events while growing top of funnel data.
• Use fan data and analytics to guide marketing strategy and audience engagement.
• Supervise marketing and communications staff including assistant directors, graduate assistants, and student workers.
• Provide mentorship and professional development to team members.
• Oversee cross-functional work between marketing, creative, communications, and revenue units.

Collaboration with Revenue Units

• Work closely with ticketing, sponsorship, and merchandise teams to support revenue initiatives.
• Assist with the promotion of ticket sales, season ticket campaigns, and special revenue initiatives.
• Ensure marketing campaigns align with revenue generation goals.
• Provide limited sports information support for assigned programs when needed.
• Assist with written content including press releases, feature stories and program notes.
• Support media relations efforts in coordination with the Director of Sports Information and Media Relations.
• Assist with game-day communications support when coverage demands require additional staff.

Role in the Athletics External Affairs Structure

The Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications will report to the Senior Associate AD for External Affairs and plays a central role in the department’s storytelling and fan engagement strategy, working closely with:

• Associate AD for External Affairs
• Director of Sports Information
• Director of Creative Video
• Marketing and communications staff
• Revenue generation units (ticketing, sponsorship, merchandise)
  
  

This role helps ensure that marketing, communications, and storytelling efforts operate as an integrated strategy to grow attendance, elevate the athletics brand, and support revenue generation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Heartsaver CPR /AED certification required within 6 weeks of employment.
• California driver’s license required within 6 weeks of employment.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Works a significant number of athletic events during the year.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and travel as required, including attendance at on- and off-campus events.
• Ability to attend on and off campus events is required.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in athletics marketing, communications, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience leading integrated marketing campaigns, digital strategy, and fan engagement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of revenue generation strategies, including ticket sales, promotions, and sponsorship activation.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and communication skills required.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and sports programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Four or more years of related experience preferred.
• One or more years of supervisory experience with full-time staff, graduate assistants, or student workers preferred.
• Experience in media relations, storytelling, and content development preferred.
• Knowledge of college athletics and external operations (marketing, communications, fan engagement) preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email marketing platforms (e.g., Eloqua), and digital/content systems required; experience with Adobe Creative Suite and social media platforms preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Marketing strategy and fan engagement
• Digital storytelling and creative direction
• Strong writing and communications ability
• Staff leadership and collaboration
• Data-driven marketing decision making
• Ability to manage multiple sports and initiatives simultaneously

Posting Salary:

$6,916.66-7,166.67 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions: Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:

Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.