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Posted on: January 31, 2012 - 11:58 am
by Admin

The University of Texas at Austin
Assistant Director for Media Relations

Application
All applicants must complete on-line application at the following link:
https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/120127010825

Department: Intercollegiate Athletics
Job number: 120127010825

Responsibilities
Develop, direct, and implement sports information efforts for assigned sports from our nationally recognized athletic teams. Provide media relations functions and serve as primary contact for several or all of the following sports: volleyball, softball and rowing. Serve as representative or liaison for designated sports; maintain daily contact with media. Serve as liaison for coaches and student-athletes with media and with conference, NCAA and departmental contacts. Write, edit, and design of assigned sports media fact books. Coordinate media relations efforts for home events: distribution of media credentials; provide appropriate information to media; coordinate post-game interviews and releases. Drive a UT or personal vehicle on campus and off. Assist with supervision of student assistants; work with marketing, fundraising and ticket offices regarding ticket sales, promotions, event coordination, fundraising and special events. Assist in transporting and distributing media supplies, work outdoors during events. Work and host conference and NCAA events as necessary; attend outside functions and activities as a representative of the department.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree. Minimum one year work experience in athletics media relations or a closely related sports public relations field. Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance issues as they pertain to publicity and promotional efforts. Must have exceptional interpersonal communications skills to include excellent current writing experience. Computer experience with Macintosh and PC computers using In-Design/Quark and Microsoft Word, and IBM platform stat programs required. Licenses: Class "C" Operator's Driver's License. Applicant selected must provide a current three year Driving Record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas Driver's License within 30 days after entering Texas as a new resident. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, sports management, or related area. More than the required experience in athletic media relations, sports information, and/or sports public relations. Previous work experience in football and Olympic sports. Serve as an editor on at least one publication. Athletic media relations employment at a Division 1 college or conference office. Extensive organizational skills and work experience managing several projects simultaneously. Experience as a website content writer/editor. Creative skills necessary to generate unique ideas for website coverage.

Working Conditions
May work in all weather conditions. May work in extreme temperatures. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity. Climbing of stairs. Extended hours during events.

Salary
Commensurate with experience.

Position Available
Immediately. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and position is open until filled.

Security sensitive; conviction verification conducted on applicant selected.

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran's status, or sexual orientation.

Guest post by Patrick Stacy

It goes without saying that in the PR industry, being a good communicator is a key element of being successful. But how you get there is something that is not as obvious. Every person communicates differently and in their own unique way. Yet somehow we all must come together on a common ground to get our points across, and must do so in a way that is professional and informative.

I currently work in the customer relations world, where I communicate with all sorts of different people on a daily basis. While this is not PR in its strictest definition, it does involve many crucial elements of the PR industry. My dealings with our fans run the gamut of reasons why they email us or call in; some do so to seek lost-and-found items, some for season ticket renewals, and others to give their feedback, along with countless other reasons. Our department must always represent our organization the same way – in a professional, courteous and informative manner.

I remember in college, sitting in English and journalism classes learning about how to write well. I remember specifically writing mock emails to business professionals – how the emails are formatted, how to write a business letter, avoiding jargon, et cetera. At the time it seemed pointless because it seemed so obvious. Clearly, I thought, I knew to avoid slang in an email to a CEO; I thought it was obvious that I shouldn’t speak in “text message language” in a business letter.

After six months of working in customer relations, those classes that at the time I thought were pointless have helped me tremendously. I have encountered countless emails that have grammar errors, slang or are just plain rude. I have been chewed out numerous times on the phone for something that was not my fault. Those classes, along with my work experience, have prepared me to answer those emails and phone calls.

Being a good communicator is definitely crucial to being successful in our industry, but adapting to different situations is just as important. You have to adapt to the audience  you’re dealing with. A blue-collar working man who has held tickets in the upper level for 22 years requires a different set of communication tools than a white-collar executive who has a three-year suite contract with all the amenities. If you talk to them the same way, you’re dead in the water. They care about different things, and as a communicator you have to adapt to those different needs.

Answering questions and being a good listener are two important skills to have in our industry. Having the skill set to answer inquiries in a professional and informative way is vital. I have been asked all sorts of questions, and it’s alright if you don’t know the answer – be honest, tell the person asking that you don’t know, but that you’ll find out for them. Being courteous and listening to someone who is chewing you out will not only make you a better communicator, but also prepares you for future encounters of a similar nature. I no longer get flustered when I get chewed out – I have learned how to handle these situations through the sheer number of times I’ve encountered them. Remain calm and listen – most of the time, the person at the other end just wants to be heard. These situations are not fun, but I’m a stronger communicator because of them.

So if you are sitting in an English or journalism class, or listening to someone drone on about the importance of being a good communicator, I’ve been there. At the time what the instructor is teaching seems obvious and it seems pointless that you are even sitting there. You already know that you’re not supposed to say “OMFG” in a business letter. You already know that you should speak in a professional manner to the CEO of a company. But let me tell you, from what I’ve encountered, those classes helped a lot. Don’t just sweep those classes under the rug, never to think of them again. Some of the skills that you learn in the classroom will supplement what you learn in the real world. Listen. Adapt. Communicate.

Patrick Stacy is a graduate from the University of Kansas and the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, where he earned his B.S. in Journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications and a minor in English. Patrick has worked in the sports industry since early 2009; he has held internships and part-time jobs with the Kansas City Chiefs, the University of Kansas Athletic Department and Octagon Sports Marketing. He currently works full-time for the Kansas City Chiefs Customer Relations Department and is pursuing a graduate degree in marketing communications. You can find him on Twitter @jpatrickstacy.