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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, a Division I and Big Ten Conference member, is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Director or Sr. Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Strategic Communications. This position serves as the primary sport contact for the men's basketball program and as well as providing guidance/strategic supervisory staff support for an additional sport. Penn State is looking for a creative, forward-thinking communicator who can find new ways to tell the story of Nittany Lion men's basketball, its players, its people and its moments.
Duties as a sport contact include developing and executing innovative content strategies to grow the men's basketball brand; assisting with and leading a show media team in generating feature content, photo, video and other unique coverage for GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics; producing online team record books, news releases and feature stories; responding to media requests; facilitating social media in line with department goals; staffing home and select away events; supervising full-time staff and student assistants as well as statistical crews and other event support personnel; and other duties as assigned.
This position will be filled at the level of Supervisor or Sr. Supervisor, depending on the final applicant's experience and education. Additional education and/or experience are required for higher-level positions.
A bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations or a related field, plus three (3) years of related work experience in communications or public relations, is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required, as is knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance. The position requires considerable initiative, creativity and independence, and a genuine passion for storytelling.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere, Express, etc.), website content management systems, social media platforms and StatCrew/NCAA Live Stats is preferred. Experience in photography, recording and editing video is desired.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Marketing and Communications Specialist - Supervisor, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Marketing and Communications Specialist - Senior Supervisor, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $94,980.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field
- At least 3 years of relevant communications or public relations experience
- For the senior supervisor level, at least 6 years of relevant experience
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance
- Valid driver's license and successful motor vehicle records check
- Successful completion of required employment background checks
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere, and Express
- Experience with website content management systems and social media platforms
- Experience with StatCrew and NCAA Live Stats
- Photography, video recording, and video editing experience
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
