Communications and Game Day Coordinator

Overview:
This position is part of the Marketing team in the Department of Athletics and Recreation reporting to the Manager, Marketing & Communications. The job is responsible for the communication, sport information requirement, and game day operations of the department of Athletics and Recreation. Through this role, internal and external stakeholders are able to acquire further information on the programs, services and sport outcomes within the department. The incumbent communicates using a variety of tools including the main Waterloo Warriors website, social media, newsletters, print, and more. The objectives of the incumbent are achieved within the context of the Department’s Mission, Vision and Values supporting an enriched student experience, promoting wellness and inspiring all Warriors to reach their full potential.

**Responsibilities**:
Department Wide Communications
- Strategic Communications
- Develops communication initiatives that align with all Department of Athletics and Recreation goals
- Produces and posts the majority of the content on the Department of Athletics and Recreation official website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) as well as monitoring all social media pages of varsity athletes, teams and coaches
- Gathers and archives digital content to be used throughout the season for a variety of social media posts
- Communicates to both internal and external audiences regarding varsity athletics (game previews, recaps, etc.) and recreational programming (registration, special events, closures, student wellness, etc.)
- Works closely with all members of the marketing and communications team to develop key messages for promoting major events throughout the year
- Works with the central University Relations and Student Life Communication teams as the departmental liaison for all campus wide communication strategies
- Sports Information
- Fulfill requirements mandated by OUA/U SPORTS in the areas of:

- Game Day: Stats, Minor Officials, OUA TV Webcasts, Scoresheet submissions, etc.
- Content: Athlete/Highlights of the Week Submissions, Stories, Social Media Posts
- Serve as the lead contact point for all OUA and U SPORTS Communication (media requests, stories, stats, social media, etc.)
- Travel to OUA/U SPORTS Championships when the Warriors are participating to report and promote results through the use of website and social media (photos, videos)
- Represent the University of Waterloo on OUA/U SPORTS committees related to Sports Information
- Media Relations
- Work closely with local media in the collection and dissemination of all scores/stats relation to Warriors teams
- Manage and accommodate media; facilitate press conferences/interviews
- Pitch stories to media to enhance the Warriors brand and increase exposure of our student-athletes
- Monitor and react to any media surrounding the Warriors

Game Day Operations Manager
- Oversees all Game Day Operations for sports of basketball, football, hockey and volleyball
- Manages Sport Coordinators (student leaders) who oversee the sports of basketball, hockey and volleyball
- Hires and trains 30+ minor officiating teams for soccer, field hockey, football, basketball, hockey and volleyball including the operation of scoreboards
- Creates budget and issues payment for all game day staff and equipment required for varsity games (cameras, laptops, printers, etc.)
- Provides information and statistics before, during and after events to media and visiting schools
- Provides staffing and organization to create game day multi-camera broadcast quality webcasts with commentators for all required sports as per the plan dictated by the OUA for OUA.tv

Website/New Media
- Assist in the production of key departmental communication items (media guides, ticket promotion, Warrior Rec registration etc.)
- Works closely with social media/brand manager to produce social content (promotional graphics, award winners, etc.)
- Coordinate and manage photo/video for varsity games and all major events (Banquets, OUA Championships, Rec Programming, etc.)
- Archive all video/photos for historical purposes

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in related discipline (i.e. Recreation & Sports Business, Business Admin, Marketing, Communications, English)
- Certified in Standard First Aid
- A minimum 2 years’ related experience in other communication role(s), preferably in an educational or athletic setting
- Experience in writing (specifically sports journalism)
- Strong knowledge of all the major social media platforms and how to engage and build an audience
- Experience in leading and motivating staff in a supervisory role
- Awareness of current department and campus-wide initiatives, best practices at other universities and current research focusing on student engagement
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and tight timelines
- Work effectively in a diverse group of pe