State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III
Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Intercollegiate Athletics
Department: 300055 - Athletics Communications
Pay Band: 4
Pay Rate: Maximum Starting
Specify Range or Amount: $46,906
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 8/22/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
James Madison University, a Division I member of the NCAA and Sun Belt Conference, is accepting applications for an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications to coordinate communications, media relations and sports information strategies for select JMU Athletics programs with a focus on digital, social and creative media to increase the public’s awareness of the experience and achievements of student-athletes at JMU. The assistant director guides the overall brand promotion and protection of JMU Athletics within the construct of a cohesive team environment with specific attention to assigned sport programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but are not limited to:
Coordinate all communication strategies for specifically tasked sport programs (3-4) to maximize coverage of the student-athlete experience at JMU.
Use social media, creative technology and other digital tools to communicate information about student-athletes and assigned programs, serving as a publicist to tell their stories.
Work collaboratively within a team environment under the direction of staff leader to build cohesive communication methods and support needs across all departmental sport programs and offices.
Deploy traditional media relations methods such as statistics, media notes, press releases, record-keeping and more to document sport achievements and history.
Foster positive relationships with external media partners while identifying opportunities to maximize coverage and proactively position JMU Athletics among local, regional and national media outlets.
Supervise the communications student intern program for recruitment, development and day-to-day communication.
Oversee game day staffing of student and wage employees for respective primary sports
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Significant professional experience in an intercollegiate or professional sports team’s communications office
Knowledge of various web software programs, game operations and various NCAA Live Stats (Genius) and Stat Crew statistical programs.
Must possess good writing and editing ability and knowledge of AP writing style.
Desktop publishing and creative design experience is required and this experience with Adobe products (InDesign, Photoshop) would be beneficial.
Must be highly motivated, task-oriented, be able to multitask and be able to manage a work schedule that includes some weekend work.
Additional Considerations:
Experience as direct communications representative for a revenue-generating sport (i.e. football or basketball).
Varied experience with and knowledge of multiple sports.
Supervision or oversight of students or other employees in collegiate athletics setting.
Additional Posting Information:
Applicants should submit an online application with the following items attached:
- Professional Writing Sample - Game Story, Feature Story, or Press Release
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or [email protected]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
