Internship: External Communications

General position summary: The intern in this position works with the external communications team to effectively and strategically advocate for the NCAA’s mission and goals. The intern helps communicate the NCAA’s role in the lives of student-athletes. Audiences include the media, public, member schools (athletics and higher education), athletics conferences, student-athletes and internal staff. The intern assists with the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives, executes proactive and reactive public relations tactics and assists with reputation management, while telling the dynamic and evolving story of college sports.

Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Assist with proactive and reactive media outreach.
• Respond to media inquiries and support reputation management.
• Build relationships with student media and external media outlets.

Content Development

• Draft news stories, announcements, statements, talking points and briefing materials.
• Help communicate NCAA initiatives across multiple audiences.
• Support storytelling that highlights student-athletes and college athletics.

Communications Strategy

• Collaborate across the national office on strategic communications initiatives.
• Assist with communications planning for championships and special projects.
• Monitor industry trends and develop media reports for NCAA leadership.

Essential duties:

• Work with the team to gain writing experience (i.e., statements, announcements, news stories, briefing documents, talking points) and offer writing support for communications staff. 
• Assist with issues management, including responding to inquiries from local, regional and national media and pitching positive NCAA and student-athlete stories to media.
• Collaborate with communications staff and partners across the national office to assist with events, projects, initiatives and strategic planning. Areas of potential support include championships and community engagement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student media contacts and execute strategic outreach.
• Develop and distribute media reports to update NCAA leadership and staff on trending NCAA and college athletics/industry news.

Desired knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Related work experience in public relations, journalism or communications, particularly in high-profile settings.
• Excellent writing skills and proven ability to produce materials targeted toward specific audiences.
• Demonstrated ability/willingness to collaborate across functions in a high-pressure environment. 
• Demonstrated understanding of media relations and media monitoring.
• Demonstrated understanding of social media.
• Proven ability to work with members of the media.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of higher education and college athletics, including current issues.
• Understanding of the overall branding and messaging goals of the NCAA.
• Critical thinking skills.

For more information and to apply: https://www.ncaa.org/what-we-do/programs/postgraduate-internships/communications/