Role description

Position Summary:


The Coordinator, Communications [First Team] plays a critical role within Columbus Crew’s communications and broadcast departments, helping shape the public message and perception of the Club via day-to-day public relations activities surrounding the Black Gold. A requisite of the position, this English and Spanish bilingual professional, will serve as the secondary day-to-day contact (assisting the Senior Manager) with requests for the First Team technical staff, coaches and players and will be responsible for providing translation services for Spanish-speaking players and facilitating both English and Hispanic media requests for the Club.


The position will work closely with the Club’s Senior Director and reports into the Senior Manager to generate all club soccer communications collateral, working with all departments to ensure collaboration and consistent messaging.


As a strong writer, this individual will also serve as the primary communications lead for the creation of written Club communications and will specifically focus on soccer communications collateral, including press releases, training schedules, weekly game notes, event advisories, match previews/recaps, player announcements, Club events, etc. Working with the Club’s lead communications executive, this position will also work closely with the Club’s broadcast partners and talent to help provide storylines and access to the First Team throughout the year in both on and off-the-field opportunities.


Position Duties:



Serve as the primary communications lead for the creation of written Club communications (press releases, training schedules, weekly game notes, event advisories, match recaps/previews, player announcements, Club events, etc.)


Assisting the Senior Manager, serve as the Club’s secondary day-to-day contact on First Team requests and provide translation services (English, Spanish)


Pitch, facilitate and oversee national, international and Spanish language interview opportunities for the Club across all business and soccer operations


Work directly with Club’s technical staff to research projects with League and international statistics and analysis to favorably position the Club’s soccer operations efforts


Proactively communicate day-to-day player/coach availability and coverage opportunities including training, pregame and match-related storylines, community relations and business events, etc.


Support, develop and research ideas and storylines for pitches to the media about the club, players, Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium, and other company initiatives


Create media interest and coverage for non-soccer related Crew stories/activities


Execute exemplary media operations experience on matchday and at applicable Club press events. Collaborate with Senior Manager to oversee all gameday stadium media credential requests, media food and beverage, as well as visiting team and visiting broadcast matchday accommodation requests.


Oversee of press box operations on matchday, including matchday staffing and serve as primary visiting team liaison for First Team requests


Responsible for all First Team matchday accreditation and matchday media relations needs


Travel to road matches as required across all levels of Crew Soccer operations


Coordinate matchday photography needs across all levels of Crew Soccer operations


Hire and oversee direct reports: all gameday staff and will assist in reviewing workflow from the Club’s in-office communications internship program alongside Sr. Manager


Foster relationships with other departments to stay informed of new initiatives


Work closely with Senior Director of Communications and Broadcast as well as Senior Manager to support Club-wide marketing, corporate partnership, broadcasting and sales initiatives, as needed


Build relationships and work closely with league-wide communications personnel, broadcast partners and media across the soccer landscape


Develop and nurture relationships with local, national and international press



Specific Job Knowledge, Skill And Ability:


 


The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities:


Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field preferred


Strong written and verbal communication skills, Bilingual (Spanish) required previous experience providing on-the-record English-Spanish translation and transcription services


1-to-3 years previous experience working in a sports team or communications environment


Previous experience drafting and creating communications collateral (press releases, training schedules, weekly game notes, event advisories, match recaps/previews, player announcements, Club events, etc.)


Passion for sports and global knowledge of the sport of soccer and MLS


Ability to establish effective working relationships with a variety of media and community contacts (such as newspapers, TV, radio, social media, etc.)


Additionally:

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make quick decisions using sound judgment


Proficiency with Microsoft Office software


Proficiency in programs such as Adobe InDesign preferred, proficiency in Adobe Photoshop a plus


Ability to work in a professional environment


Exceptional writing ability and proficiency with AP Style


Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines


Exceptional project management skills with ability to manage people/projects, delegate responsibility and provide follow-through on multiple projects


Individual must be detail-oriented and a self-starter