Senior Director, Media Relations

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview 

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. 

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That’s why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots, to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of US. 

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitions plans for US soccer in the near and far future. We are therefore, looking for dynamic servant-leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results. 

 Position Description 

The Senior Director, Media Relations will unlock earned media opportunities for U.S. Soccer, telling our powerful story of positive impact and sharing the incredible transformation of the organization. They will leverage their established relationships with global and national media to place positive stories and ensure that U.S. Soccer is either leading or always a part of the conversation. 

They will work closely with the VP, Communications to develop a narrative for U.S. Soccer, and then tell that story broadly. They will build strong relationships across the Federation, including with the Advancement and Commercial teams, and understand how our partnerships and donors impact our story, create new earned media opportunities and make us stronger. 

This individual will bring their creativity and media savvy to their planning, taking a strategic and thoughtful approach to long-term storytelling, while also being ready to jump in and integrate U.S. Soccer into relevant cultural moments. They will be unflappable and thrive in a fast-paced environment. 

They will work closely with colleagues on the Marcomms team and across the Federation to ensure that our external messaging is clear and consistent and aligns with our internal messaging. This individual will also lead a team of three and be responsible for supporting their growth and development.

 Primary Responsibilities  

• Develop a comprehensive global and national media relations and external communications strategy.
• Communicate regularly and build relationships with media & key influencers, including ongoing, proactive outreach to key media contacts.
• Be the trusted business partner for the Commercial & Advancement teams, creating new and exciting launch campaigns for each new partner/donor, whilst establishing a framework for continual storytelling.
• Work with the Sporting department on coaching/player updates, establishing a launch and management framework with continuous optimization.
• Working with the Coaching staff, PA’s and MNT & WNT Communication Directors, establish a strategy to raise awareness and support for our senior players, securing media and partner opportunities where possible.
• Working with the Media team in the Commercial team, optimize all opportunities across our national, global and audio media partners e.g. Warner Bros, Telemundo, NBCU Sports, & Westwood One.
• Extensive experience of running media for internal & external events nationally and globally e.g. SheBelieves Summit, USSF Commercial Summit, Donor Events, Davos, Cannes Ad festival, SBJ and Leaders etc.
• Work with the Consumer Products team on all new product launches, ensuring effective storytelling and unlocking new audiences to drive revenue.
• Be platform agnostic and audience led to tell the most compelling stories. Advise on language and ensure accessibility according to Federation guidelines.
• Identify key people of influence, mapping their needs to those of the Federation in the short, medium and long term.
• Establish clear goals and a framework for metrics and measurement of media relations and external communications.
• Create core messaging for U.S. Soccer that can be shared with C-suite members and leadership across the organization.
• Conduct media training for all U.S. Soccer spokespeople according to the new messaging framework and strategic priorities.
• Provide support for all award entries, refining submissions where necessary and wins / commendations if appropriate.
• Ensure all external messaging is consistent with established Federation messaging, internally and externally. Work with the Corporate Communications team to ensure all member messaging is aligned with all external comms.
• Act as a spokesperson for U.S. Soccer when necessary.
• Align all communications with business objectives, clearly connecting to the U.S. Soccer mission, vision, strategy and purpose.
• Develop strong cross-functional relationships with key partners and stakeholders across the organization.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment where colleagues can thrive.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years in a media relations/corporate communications role at a senior level in the sports, media, or entertainment industries.
• Established relationships with reporters at national & sporting / soccer publications & media.
• Proven track record of developing company narrative and executing a PR strategy to share that narrative.
• Deep understanding of the full media landscape, including key influencers.
• Experience media training C-suite level leaders and acting as a consultative partner for the Federation. Ensure consistent alignment across strategy updates.
• Extensive experience in speech writing and preparation for senior leadership and event appearances. 
• An intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in communications, press and advocacy, with established press and PR networks, public affairs and contacts in relevant fields.
• Experience in influencing senior leadership to strive for change and constantly push the envelope.
• Strong project management skills with an analytical mindset.
• The ability to work independently and in a collaborative work environment is required, along with strong organizational, interpersonal, analytical, and planning skills.
• Someone with excellent judgment, who listens well, implements effective, and efficient solutions. 
• problems and earns the respect necessary to implement changes to better the organization. 
• An excellent facilitator who is experienced in resolving conflicts between parties to a dispute.
• Business, Marketing, English, Journalism or Communications advanced education.
• Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable. 
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Able and willing to travel to most / all domestic & international U.S. Soccer controlled matches. 
• General knowledge of soccer 
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments 
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission 
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) 

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of the U.S. soccer ecosystem and its members.
• Experience of working with domestic and global soccer leagues is a definite plus. 
• Strategic hustle, initiative, and work ethic with diversity of thought.
• Proactive and curious with a bias for both commercial action and brand values. 
• Able to think strategically and handle multiple projects.
• Confidence without ego.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record of constructing innovative, creative, and digitally minded presentations.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Established leadership qualities focusing on collaboration, team development, empathy, and challenging team members to deliver the highest-level performance.

U.S Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization.  

We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.