Graduate Assistant - Athletics External Relations

Position Title: Graduate Assistant - Athletics External Relations

Department: Athletics

Advertised Pay: Stipend + Meal Plan Provided

Campus Location: Washburn University

Position Summary:

This position offers a unique opportunity for the selected candidate to gain hands-on experience in the intercollegiate sports industry. The individual will play a key role in enhancing the Washburn Athletics brand, expanding its fanbase, and elevating the overall gameday experience within the highly competitive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the premier conference in NCAA Division II. The selected candidate will assist with all aspects of Washburn Athletics External Relations.

About Washburn University: 

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:
-Support game day operations and marketing for all Washburn University Athletics varsity sports.
-Manage and direct all marketing efforts for assigned sports to include advertising, fan experience, in-game promotions, and game scripts (while assisting with all other sports during the academic year).
-Recruit, coordinate, and oversee a team of student workers or volunteers.
-Responsible for growing student engagement for all sports and increasing affinity amongst students.
-Contribute to video production, graphic design, social media content, and other creative initiatives for the athletics department.
-Organize and oversee community engagement programs, including Bods Care and Kids Club Program.
-Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
-Bachelor’s degree.
-Job contingent on admission into the Washburn University Graduate School and the completion of a successful background check.
-Must be willing to work long hours including nights, weekends, and holidays in addition to weekly office hours scheduled around university classes.
-Maintain a minimum cumulative and semester GPA of 2.5.

-Ability to problem solve, manage multiple tasks, adhere to deadlines, and prioritize work.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience with Daktronics, Sports Sound Pro/Sound Director, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Creative Suite products.
-Innovative, creative, and energetic personality that will recommend and implement new ideas.
-Ability to problem solve, manage multiple tasks, adhere to deadlines, and prioritize work.
-Experience in marketing and promotions for an athletics program.
-Degree in marketing, sports management, or a related field of study.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

Stipend Monthly Exempt, Part time, Varies, Varies/Shift   
Background Check Required