Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Position Overview

The University of San Diego’s Athletics department is seeking an Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications to lead marketing and fan engagement for selected sports. The role focuses on boosting attendance, strengthening the game-day experience, growing the USD Athletics brand, and supporting revenue-related efforts across the department.

Along with core marketing responsibilities, the position also contributes to storytelling, digital content coordination, and limited sports information support when required. It works closely with the External Affairs team to keep messaging consistent, strengthen brand alignment, and improve engagement across athletics channels.

About the Department and University

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is part of the University of San Diego, a Roman Catholic university committed to academic and athletic excellence and to enriching student life. USD is a contemporary Catholic institution founded in 1949 and guided by a mission rooted in liberal arts education, the Catholic intellectual tradition, and service to the broader global community.

The university welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds and emphasizes the development of engaged global citizens prepared to address pressing human challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead marketer for assigned sports and provide backup support for other teams when needed.
• Create and carry out sport-specific marketing plans aimed at increasing attendance, improving fan participation, building awareness, and supporting revenue efforts.
• Organize and deliver game-day promotions, entertainment, and engagement activities.
• Support student involvement, in-game activations, Kids Club programming, group experiences, and community outreach efforts.
• Contribute to digital marketing across social media, websites, email, and paid campaigns.
• Manage promotional email campaigns tied to attendance, engagement, and departmental initiatives.
• Help expand and activate fan databases through digital outreach.
• Use data, analytics, and audience insights to shape campaigns and review performance.
• Coordinate closely with coaches and sport administrators so marketing plans support each program’s goals.
• Work with creative services teams to build strong storytelling content.
• Surface and promote stories about student-athletes, coaches, and team achievements.
• Support department-wide storytelling efforts that strengthen the USD Athletics brand.
• Help ensure brand consistency and coordinated messaging across athletics platforms.
• Assist with digital content planning for social, video, and web channels.
• Contribute to feature stories, behind-the-scenes content, and campaign ideas for assigned programs.
• Support external affairs projects, special assignments, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Coordinate with ticketing, sponsorship, merchandise, marketing, and creative services teams as needed.
• Assist with event planning, promotional logistics, and other operational tasks.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required, ideally in Communications, Marketing, or Journalism.
• At least 1 year of experience in sports communications or sports marketing is required; 2 or more years is preferred.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations is strongly preferred.
• Working ability with SIDEARM Sports, StatCrew, NCAA Genius/NCAA Manager, StatBroadcast, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign is strongly preferred.
• Experience with still photography is preferred.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Strong organization and project management capabilities.
• Ability to handle several sports and competing priorities at once.
• A collaborative mindset and comfort working as part of a team.
• Confidence communicating with local media, university staff, and national media contacts, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently or with others, stay composed under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Strong general writing, speaking, and computer skills.
• Working understanding of sports and statistics.
• Ability to use the required equipment and tools effectively.
• Knowledge of video equipment and post-production editing software.
• Understanding of live sports video production and streaming workflows.
• CPR/first aid certification must be obtained within 6 weeks of employment.
• A valid California driver’s license is required.
• Must be available for some evenings and weekends, including home and away events.
• Occasional travel is required, including travel to away events.
• Employment is contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
• Selected candidates must provide official transcripts for degree verification.
• A resume and cover letter are required with the application.
• The university is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.

Skills

• Sports marketing
• Fan engagement
• Digital marketing
• Email campaign management
• Content strategy
• Brand storytelling
• Project management
• Event promotion
• Data analysis
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Video production awareness

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive monthly pay of $5,858.67 to $6,000.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement contribution provided by the university.
• Access to on-campus fitness centers.
• Additional employee benefits through the university benefits program.

Additional Information

This is a full-time position based in San Diego, California, with a 40-hour workweek. The role is open until filled, and applications may be reviewed throughout the posting period. A candidate may be chosen before the final closing date.

The role is posted under athletics and operations-related categories within collegiate sports. Internal reference numbers listed by the employer include Posting # 5631 and Internal Number 7273479.

The salary range shown is the employer’s expected pay range and may vary depending on experience, education, and departmental budget.