Executive Associate Athletics Director, Strategic & Football Communications

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is accepting applications for the position of Executive Associate Athletics Director, Strategic & Football Communications. This is a career, full-time position with a targeted annual salary range of $170,000.00 - $200,000.00 with full health benefits and membership in the UC Retirement Plan. Reporting directly to the Athletics Director, with an indirect reporting line to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Strategy & Initiatives, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Strategic & Football Communications serves as the department’s chief communications and public relations executive. This role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all internal and external communications across UCLA’s 25 intercollegiate programs, shaping and protecting the UCLA Athletics brand while aligning all messaging with institutional values, departmental goals and competitive priorities.

This position serves as the primary communications executive for UCLA Football, acting as the lead public relations strategist, external spokesperson, and Sports Information Director (SID). In this capacity, the Executive Associate AD oversees all football media relations, public messaging, storytelling, and game-day and postseason communications operations. The role also provides executive oversight of the communications teams serving Men’s and Women’s Basketball and the 20+ Olympic Sports, ensuring each program receives tailored, high-quality support that elevates visibility, strengthens recruiting efforts and enhances national reputation.

As leader of a comprehensive communications unit, this executive oversees staff supervision, workload distribution, performance management, professional development and editorial standards. The position is responsible for executive communications for the Athletics Director and head coaches; coordination of institutional messaging with university leadership; oversight of high-profile and sensitive media inquiries related to NCAA compliance, NIL, litigation or student-athlete welfare; and the direction of crisis communications and issues management.

The Executive Associate AD ensures that departmental messaging is proactive, strategic, and unified across digital, social, written and media platforms.

Functioning as a key member of the department’s senior leadership team, this role works collaboratively with external affairs, marketing, development, compliance, student-athlete support units, and campus communications to advance UCLA’s strategic priorities. Through strong relationship building, exceptional judgment, and a commitment to excellence in storytelling and brand stewardship, the Executive Associate AD enhances the visibility, credibility and impact of one of the nation’s premier athletics programs.

All applicants should demonstrate the following abilities: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience & training required; Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred; Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in athletic communications, media relations, or strategic PR, preferably within a NCAA Division I athletics department or professional sports organization; Demonstrated experience serving as a primary spokesperson for a complex, high-profile organization, including the ability to deliver clear, compelling messaging in high-stakes or rapidly evolving situations; Expertise in executive communications, including message development, speechwriting, and strategic positioning for senior leaders, head coaches and high-visibility institutional initiatives; Superior public relations skills, including outstanding interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, media, Conference and NCAA officials; Deep understanding of the college athletics media landscape, including digital media, crisis communications and brand management; Proven leadership in managing large teams across multiple sports and competing priorities; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people including various stakeholders of the program and institution; Experience in overseeing communications strategies for high-profile sports like Football and Basketball; Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for brand tone and storytelling; Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential information/material with discretion; Demonstrated ability to perform under stress and maintain composure in the face of resistance, indifference and hostility; Proficiency in media training for coaches, staff, and student-athletes, with the ability to prepare individuals for press conferences, interviews, crisis situations, and national media exposure; Ability to comply with department, University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.

Expressions of interest must be received by 8:59pm on December 5th, 2025. All applicants must submit their cover letter, resume and references via the following website link: https://jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/9189

*Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background check performed by Universal Background Screening and UCLA Athletics.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.