Athletic Operations and Communications Coordinator — Administration

Position Summary Hanover College seeks a motivated emerging professional to serve as an Athletic Operations and Communications Intern through the NCAA Division III Pathway to Excellence Grant. This two-year, full-time, 12-month position provides rotational experience and ownership of projects across three core pillars of DIII athletics administration—Athletic Communications, Internal Operations & Development, and Student-Athlete Welfare—preparing the recipient for entry-level administrative roles in Division III. The goal of this position is to increase opportunities in intercollegiate athletics, including but not limited to for first-generation students and veterans.  The position reports within the Department of Athletics and will receive structured supervision and mentorship from veteran administrators. No coaching responsibilities are included.  Some co-teaching responsibilities may be included.   This is a NCAA grant-funded position not to exceed two (2) years and is benefits-eligible.

Primary Responsibilities

1) Athletic Communications (35%)

• Assist with day-to-day sports information operations: writing, editing, and distributing press releases, game notes, feature stories, and multimedia content.  • Manage assigned sport social media calendars; contribute to department-wide content planning and analytics.  • Support live event coverage (statistical systems, basic photography coordination, highlight clips, and digital storytelling).  • Update the athletics website for assigned sports, including rosters, biographies, schedules/results, and archive management.  • Collaborate with external relations on campaigns that deepen engagement with alumni, parents, recruits, and the broader Panthers community. 

2) Athletic Operations & Development (35%)

• Business Officer Support: assist with purchase requisitions, expense processing, reconciliations, and monthly/quarterly budget tracking for assigned sport programs.  • Panther Club: execute stewardship elements of this annual giving society, including athletics day of giving, corporate sponsorship fulfillment, and helping coordinate the annual golf outing.  • Special Projects: Support special events (Hall of Fame Weekend, Homecoming, Athletics Day of Giving, etc.), donor stewardship touchpoints, and strategic initiatives prioritized by the VP/Director of Athletics.  • Event & Facility Operations: contribute to game-day operations as needed, visiting team/fan experience initiatives, and facility readiness to ensure a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment. 

3) Student-Athlete Welfare & Initiatives (30%)

• Coordinate student-athlete leadership programming, mental health awareness campaigns, and education aligned with Hanover’s culture of belonging and well-being.  • Support SAAC initiatives (civic engagement, community service, and campus partnerships).  • Assist with implementation and monitoring of Athletics Camps and the Minors on Campus policy (training compliance, background checks coordination with HR, documentation, and record retention).  • Partner with academic and student success offices to promote study hall, time management resources, and class/conflict resolution processes. 

Mentorship & Professional Development

• Weekly 1:1 supervision with the VP/Director of Athletics; inclusion in senior staff meetings to gain exposure to strategic planning, budget management, and sport oversight.  • Assigned mentor(s) separate from the supervisor, including senior campus/athletics leaders for broader perspective and career development.  • Professional development plan aligned to NCAA grant expectations, including Emerging Leaders Seminar (Year 1) and NCAA Convention (Year 2), plus regional programming as available. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in sport administration/management or related field preferred.  • Skills: Strong writing and digital communication; proficiency with social media tools and basic analytics; foundational budget/Excel skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.  • Attributes: Integrity, initiative, collaborative mindset, discretion with confidential information, and commitment to the Division III student-first philosophy. 

Application Process

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.  In your cover letter, describe how the position aligns with your career goals in Division III athletics and your interest in communications, operations/development, and student-athlete welfare.