Director, Communications

Join the Team.

At KC Current, everything we do is in service of our fans, partners, community, and players. Our employees are stewards of that responsibility, working together to elevate the game and deepen our connection to Kansas City and beyond. With a best-in-class training facility and one of the first stadiums built specifically for a women’s sports team, KC Current is writing the next chapter with world-class talent and ambition.

Our employees are a team of competitive, passionate, and driven people who are dedicated to this sport, this team, and this community. We aim high, embrace challenges, and take action to get it done. We believe great things happen when we are united. We are seeking individuals who want to march on this mission with us as the world’s eyes are watching. We are making history in Kansas City and desire like-minded, high energy, driven individuals to join us on our journey.

Who are we hiring?

The Director, Communications is responsible for providing strategic direction and support to expand positive media coverage of the club, primarily the players, head coach and technical staff, develop and build media relationships, and further overall Kansas City Current and Long Sports and Entertainment communication and public relations. This leader directs the planning, development, and implementation of a comprehensive, multifaceted communication program around the soccer team and technical staff.

What will you do?

• Manage and foster relationships with internal and external communications, media, press, photography and videography.
• Help to develop the annual goals and metrics for evaluating the success of projects, initiatives, and efforts of the communications team.
• Help to create a communications strategy to support the club’s goals, increase brand awareness, tell the players stories, and grow the fan base.
• Assess and evaluate communication and media efforts. Monitor publications, websites, and initiatives to ensure promotion of club priorities.
• Serve as MOD for the crisis management and emergency management team on matchdays. Provide guidance and advice to the VP, Communications and senior leadership on significant public relations issues.
• Write and distribute communications materials for the club including press releases, feature articles, media guides, match previews, and other daily requirements.
• Produce a regular season media guide and weekly match guide that includes the schedule, team history, and bios of players and executives.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for media for soccer related inquiries.
• Ensure that messaging is consistent across all channels of communication.
• Maintains all relevant statistical data and tracks club and team milestones.
• Manage matchday credentialing for media, photographers, videographers and broadcast crews.
• Serve as liaison between national broadcast partners and head coach and players.
• Pitch stories, field and facilitate interview requests, and provide appropriate gameday accommodations.
• Use creative and innovative approaches to generate positive promotion of the club.
• Become well-versed in NWSL rules, regulations and the CBA.
• Responsible for game-day operations at CPKC Stadium for press box, broadcast teams, and media.
• Travel is required to regular and postseason road matches as well as preseason training.
• Other duties as assigned.

What do you need to succeed?

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient in Meltwater or another media monitoring tool
• Willingness to learn and brings a positive, professional attitude

Preferred

• Professional sports and/or events experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence a variety of stakeholders.
• Develop effective working relationships with coaches and other members of the team and club.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficient with personal computers, including the entire suite of Microsoft Office Applications, Adobe Creative Cloud, and others as required.
• Ability to lead, manage, coach, and mentor people assigned to administrative functions within the department.
• Strong working knowledge of and proficiency in the use of social media platforms including but not limited to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and more.
• Proficiency with Opta Stats, Slack, Skype, Box and other communications software
• Strong leadership skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft-based programs, including Word and Outlook

Special Requirements Of The Job

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, inclusive of weekends, nights (event evenings & overnight operation shifts) and holidays.
• Must be able to travel with the team.
• Prolonged periods sitting at desk and working on a computer.
• Be able to lift 10-20 pounds of equipment for game day operations (printers, backdrops, boxes of printed material, etc…)
• Work is conducted primarily in an office environment, however attendance at matches and other events is required.

We value diversity and seek world-class employees of all backgrounds.

The Kansas City Current values diversity and is looking for extraordinary employees of all backgrounds! We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health choices, national origin, citizenship, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law mandates, we comply with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in all locations and will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required.