What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Public Relations/Sports Information position at Sporting Club Jacksonville?
Job Title: Director of Public Relations/Sports Information
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Organization: Sporting Club Jacksonville – USL Men’s and Women’s Professional and Pre-Professional Soccer Teams/Academy
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Organization: Sporting Club Jacksonville – USL Men’s and Women’s Professional and Pre-Professional Soccer Teams/Academy
Position Overview:
Sporting Club Jacksonville is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Public Relations/Sports Information to manage and enhance the media and public relations efforts for our professional men’s and women’s soccer teams. This individual will be the voice of the club, working closely with both teams, staff, and the media to cultivate a positive image, increase brand awareness, and foster community engagement in Jacksonville and beyond.
Sporting Club Jacksonville is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Public Relations/Sports Information to manage and enhance the media and public relations efforts for our professional men’s and women’s soccer teams. This individual will be the voice of the club, working closely with both teams, staff, and the media to cultivate a positive image, increase brand awareness, and foster community engagement in Jacksonville and beyond.
As the Director of Public Relations/Sports Information, you will oversee all aspects of media relations, media releases, digital content creation, social media strategy, matchday programs, player information and external communications. This position will play a critical role in promoting Sporting Club Jacksonville’s men’s and women’s teams, while ensuring the teams' accomplishments are consistently shared with fans, media, and the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Media Relations:
Media Relations:
- Act as the primary spokesperson and point of contact for media inquiries regarding both the men’s and women’s teams.
- Build and maintain strong and proactive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to generate positive press coverage.
- Prepare and distribute press releases, game previews, game recaps, and other media materials in a timely and professional manner.
- Coordinate press conferences, player interviews, and media events, ensuring smooth operations.
- Manage media accreditation, coordinate access to home and away games, and oversee press box operations on game days.
Public Relations Strategy:
- Develop and execute comprehensive public relations strategies that enhance the club’s visibility and reputation in the Jacksonville market and beyond.
- Craft and execute media campaigns that highlight the team's accomplishments, key players, stadium plans, and community initiatives.
- Handle crisis communication and sensitive issues with professionalism, working to protect and maintain the brand’s reputation.
Social Media & Digital Content:
- Oversee the creation, curation, and management of engaging content across all social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) for both men’s and women’s teams.
- Work with the digital and marketing teams to create multimedia content (photos, videos, graphics) that tells the story of the teams and engages with the fanbase.
- Monitor and report on social media trends, media coverage, and online engagement to ensure the teams are positioned positively in the public eye.
Game-Day Communications:
- Lead game-day media operations, preparing press kits, game notes, and other essential materials for media and team personnel.
- Direct, manage and staff matchday media center and press box overseeing broadcast, photography, print and digital media, pre-game set up, post-game interviews.
- Ensure smooth execution of media interviews, press conferences, and access during home games, making sure all media members are properly credentialed.
- Coordinate with game-day staff to ensure press areas are set up appropriately and meet the needs of the press.
- Produce and edit the club’s digital matchday program
Community Relations:
- Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses, influencers, fans, and community organizations to strengthen the club’s presence within Jacksonville.
- Support the club’s community and Foundation outreach initiatives and collaborate with the marketing and events teams to build community engagement through events, promotional activities, and grassroots programs.
Brand Management:
- Ensure that all public relations efforts align with the club’s brand identity, mission, and core values.
- Oversee the production of media and promotional materials, ensuring consistency in messaging, tone, and visual identity across all platforms.
Reporting & Analysis:
- Track and measure the effectiveness of public relations and media campaigns, providing regular updates and reports on media coverage, sentiment, and fan engagement.
- Evaluate media impact and adjust strategies as needed to enhance media outreach and engagement.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Sports Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in sports public relations, media relations, or a related field, with at least 2 years of experience in a leadership role in professional sports.
- Deep understanding of soccer, with prior experience in media relations within soccer or professional sports preferred.
- Understanding and knowledge of US and world soccer specifically around the USL, Championship, Super League and pre-professional leagues.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling content for various platforms.
- Strong understanding of social media platforms and how to leverage them for brand building and fan engagement.
- Proactive approach and proven track record of working with local and national media outlets to secure positive and consistent coverage.
- Understanding of soccer club’s position and opportunity within the community and ability to promote the club as a positive asset to the community.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Ability to work nights, weekends, and travel with the teams as required for games and special events.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, media monitoring tools, and social media management platforms.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with multimedia content creation (photography, videography, editing software).
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) is a plus.
- Familiarity with the USL (United Soccer League) and its operations is a plus.
Why Join Us:
Sporting Club Jacksonville offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing soccer market, overseeing media relations for both men’s and women’s professional soccer teams. As a key member of the Sporting Club Jacksonville family, you’ll be instrumental in shaping the club’s public image, engaging with fans, and building the soccer community in Jacksonville, Florida. We offer a collaborative, fast-paced work environment, competitive salary, and the chance to make a significant impact in the world of professional sports.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant work (press releases, media kits, or social media campaigns) to [email/contact information].
Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant work (press releases, media kits, or social media campaigns) to [email/contact information].
Sporting Club Jacksonville is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.