What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Communications position at Washington Spirit?
The Director of Communications will be responsible for the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy encompassing both soccer and business operations. This role will oversee day-to-day media operations, ensuring storytelling efforts align with the organization’s business objectives. The Director will lead efforts to enhance the Spirit’s reputation, build brand awareness, strong relationships with fans and stakeholders, and drive key business outcomes including ticket sales and partnerships.
The Director of Communications will:
- Lead, mentor, and manage Communications staff to ensure the effective execution of all departmental responsibilities
- Prioritize building and maintaining strong relationships with soccer operations staff, players and Front business operations staff to ensure support across all team-related initiatives
- Manage all aspects of media relations for the club, including building and maintaining relationships with local, industry, and other influential media to secure impactful coverage, including non-traditional media.
- Oversee communications personnel to ensure the seamless execution of gameday media operations, including the credential process, gameday operations, press box management, and pre- and post-game communications
- Manage match day media relations for home and away matches, including media availability, distribution of key collateral including game notes, statistics, press clips, etc.
- Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, club statements, and other written materials for both soccer operations and non-soccer business initiatives
- Act as the primary on-site PR contact for soccer training media availability sessions, media opportunities and non-soccer related events
- Develop personalized publicity plans for players, coaches, and front office personnel
- Work closely with NWSL Communications leadership to ensure compliance with all team and league policies
- Evaluate and book executive speaking engagements including securing opportunities at relevant conferences and appearances that amplify the brand and contribute to organization business goals
- Responsible for measuring and reporting media coverage, analyzing the impact of media efforts, including relevant benchmarking against league standards as well as club historical performance
- Oversee and manage the day-to-day operating relationship, including broadcasts with local TV and Radio partners
- Develop campaigns that promote player and coach awards, end-of-season awards, and other soccer-related recognitions as assigned
- Lead efforts to build relationships with local sports teams, creating opportunities for mutually beneficial PR collaborations
- Work closely with internal Community Relations leadership to secure coverage of initiatives that strengthen the Spirit brand and its presence in the community
The ideal candidate has:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or equivalent education and experience preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of PR/communications experience preferably within professional sports team environment. Experience in soccer a plus.
- Proven expertise in media relations with a track record of securing positive media coverage.
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, navigate ambiguity and uncertainty with ease, and effectively manage multiple priorities.
- Strategic business-minded thinker with experience developing communications plans that align with organizational goals.
- Strong leadership skills with proven record of building and nurturing relationships while inspiring and motivating others.
- Experience of pitching and securing non-traditional media coverage
- Exceptional writer and editor with sharp eye for detail and understanding of best practices in writing and messaging for media communications and public relations.
- This in-person role is based in Northern Virginia and requires attendance at our Leesburg, VA training facility and Falls Church, VA corporate offices as needed, usually three to four days per week. Gameday attendance at Audi Field in Washington, DC, is mandatory.
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The Washington Spirit is a founding club in its 13th season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) proudly representing the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is the first franchise to have a minority woman hold a majority stake. A visionary entrepreneur, Michele Kang, is leading a new era for women’s sports with a vision to:
The Washington Spirit is a founding club in its 13th season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) proudly representing the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is the first franchise to have a minority woman hold a majority stake. A visionary entrepreneur, Michele Kang, is leading a new era for women’s sports with a vision to:
- Become the most preeminent sports organization in the world;
- Build a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch;
- Train women as women; and
- Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women.
Washington Spirit will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and perform critical job functions. Please contact us to request an accommodation at HR@washspirit.com.
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.
