Communications Consultant (Public Relations and Communications) (Athletics) Job

Communications Consultant (Public Relations and Communications) (Athletics)

Posting Number

req23235

Department

Administration and Athletics

Department Website Link

arizonawildcats.com

Location

Main Campus

Address

1 National Championship Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success.

Arizona Athletics is redefining the future of college sports-and we're looking for a bold, brand-savvy communicator to help lead that charge. This is not a traditional university PR role. You'll serve as a senior strategic advisor to the Athletic Director, influence high-level decisions, and craft stories that resonate nationally. This is a high-trust, high-impact role at the center of a $150M athletics enterprise with championship ambitions and a fast-evolving landscape.

You will lead a cross-platform communications strategy that builds brand heat, galvanizes our fan base, and drives national relevance. You'll shape the voice of a brand that spans 22 sports, millions of fans, a global alumni network, and one of the most passionate student communities in the country.

You'll work closely with the AD, executive team, coaches, student-athletes, and creative teams to tell breakthrough stories, manage high-pressure moments, and build a brand that demands attention.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and travel as needed.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA / ASU / NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the Narrative : Shape

and lead an integrated PR and storytelling strategy that reflects our bold

vision and values-across earned media, digital platforms, and live

environments.

counselor to the Athletic Director and senior leadership team. Help shape

internal and external messaging on key initiatives, sensitive issues, and

brand-defining opportunities.

regional, and digital media coverage that generates attention and builds brand

relevance. Pitch like a pro. Create moments that cut through.

clear, compelling messaging for initiatives that drive competitive success,

brand equity, recruiting, and fundraising. Ensure consistency across press,

social, and in-house messaging.

high-stakes moments, acting as a rapid-response strategist and spokesperson

when needed. Develop and maintain proactive crisis communications frameworks in

collaboration with HR, Legal, and University Relations.

Fan Impressions & Monetization : Collaborate

with revenue and marketing teams to translate brand awareness into fan

impressions, sales, and donor touchpoints. Leverage strategic communications to

support monetizable initiatives-ticketing, merchandise, and content campaigns.

and reputation intelligence efforts. Provide actionable insights on public

sentiment, media coverage, and emerging risks or opportunities.

with leadership to elevate key messages and ensure clarity and alignment across

channels.

and message training to coaches, student-athletes, and staff. Elevate brand

presence and message discipline across all platforms.

with creative, digital, donor relations, marketing, and game day teams to

ensure unified storytelling across the fan journey.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

of shaping narratives before they form and making bold stories impossible to

ignore.

translate those into actionable insights that support sales, fundraising, and

strategic growth.

monitoring platforms for brand tracking, media measurement, and content

amplification.

Why

Arizona Athletics : We're

a Power 4 athletics department with national reach, deep tradition, and a

transformative vision. Our mission is to win championships, graduate

student-athletes, and galvanize the Wildcat community. With 22 teams, a dynamic

culture, and a loyal fan base, we are not just adapting to the new era-we're

shaping it.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40 + nights and weekends

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

Depends on Experience

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education / training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level

PC3

Job Family

Communications

Job Function

Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required :

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

Cody Hendrickson

Assistant Athletic Director, Innovation and Strategy

codyhendrickson@arizona.edu

520-621-2043

Open Date

7 / 25 / 2025

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please submit Resume, Cover Letter, and the answers to the following questions as the Additional Document. Thank You.

1. Describe your knowledge and understanding of NCAA and Big-12 rules and regulations, as they pertain to recruitment and regulations.

2. Please list below any experience you have had since 2015 with high school or college student-athletes. This includes working or volunteering in any capacity with a high school, AAU, sports club, junior college or 4-year institution student-athlete, athletics team or department.

3. Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2, 11.4.2.1, 11.4.2.2, 11.4.3, 11.4.3.1, 11.4.3.2, 11.4.4, 11.4.4.1, and 11.4.4.2. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by The University of Arizona, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by The University of Arizona?

4. Are you the parent, coach, relative or guardian of a prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade or 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college student) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football or have any other type of association with any prospective student-athlete in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If yes, please explain.

5. Is your potential employment within the athletic department conditioned upon the enrollment of any prospective student-athlete (i.e., student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sport of men's basketball, women's basketball or football? If Yes, please explain.

6. Do you understand that failure to disclose any information related to your affiliation with a prospective student-athlete (student in 9-12 grade, 7-12 grade for men's basketball or junior college) in the sports of football, men's basketball or women's basketball might render your application ineligible for consideration?

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.