What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Communications & PR Director position at Chicago Sky?
The Chicago Sky are looking for a highly motivated, strategic, collaborative, and experienced full-time Strategic Communications & PR Director to lead corporate communications & PR for the Chicago Sky.
This candidate should be passionate about women's sports, championing equality, and elevating the Chicago Sky brand to drive results. If you are interested in a fast-paced career in sports communications, this is a tremendous opportunity to develop impactful strategies during a time of dynamic change and explosive growth in the WNBA.
This role will sit within the Integrated Marketing Department, and report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute integrated communications plans and strategies, including a proactive approach to media outreach and relations, new pitches to local and national media, storytelling, press releases, and communications that align with brand, organizational, and team objectives
- Develop multi-channel, multi-platform PR content strategy and calendar for the season that aligns with Chicago Sky’s brand positioning, voice and objectives
- Act as a corporate spokesperson and serve as primary point of contact for corporate communication, community events, member events, speaking events, etc.
- Develop ongoing communications strategies to proactively manage both predictable and unpredictable events, including crisis communications (if applicable)
- Serve as team liaison and support basketball team media relations and game day responsibilities at all home and away games, must be available to travel and work nights and weekends
- Oversee and support Communications & PR Manager on all game day media operations (in-game statistical updates, credentialing, set-up, and breakdown of press conferences, assisting with pre/post-game press conference and post-game notes), coordination of media events, and interviews
- Manage PR and Sports agency relationships and partner with Basketball Operations, Corporate Partnerships, Tickets, Community, in-house content team, Arena Operations, and all partners to deliver on organizational communications needs
- Extensively prepare and media train executives, coaches, players, and staff for press conferences, interviews, and storytelling features
- Assist visiting team PR representatives with their various game day needs
- Assist with media briefing documents, marketing materials, and integrated programs
- Support development of press releases and corporate communications
- Lead and assist with league and signature Chicago Sky events including WNBA draft, media day planning, large press conferences, special events, etc.
Qualifications
- 5-7 years of PR, corporate communications, media relations, preferably in sports
- College degree in marketing, communications, journalism, and/or sports marketing
- Passionate about sports communications and marketing, with an interest in women's sports and the WNBA
- Outstanding communication, influencing, and persuasion skills, both oral and written
- Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and teamwork skills, with an outstanding ability to manage complex relationships across many key stakeholders
- Energetic, self-starter who must be proactive, take the initiative, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with and without direct supervision
- Experience successfully leading, managing, and motivating others
- Strong writing, editing, design, creative, and proofreading skills
- Hybrid role: 2 days/week expected in office, with attendance at all 44 home and away games and some nights/weekends/holidays https://sky.wnba.com/schedule
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
