JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations is a key interface between the company, its employees, and key external stakeholders, specifically media. The Director is responsible for creating, building, and managing internal and external messaging campaigns that promote and protect the Utah Jazz – an NBA franchise owned by Smith Entertainment Group – and ensure key audiences clearly understand the Utah Jazz’s positioning and prominence as an exemplary employer, one of the leading NBA franchises, and an innovative business in the sports world – inspiring greater engagement with the company both on and off the court and in the community. As part of this, the Director will oversee employee communications, lead key copywriting and editing responsibilities related to the Communications department, and spearhead proactive/reactive local and national business-focused PR efforts. The Director will also liaise regularly with other members of the company’s communications team, oversee junior staff, and support other responsibilities, as requested and assigned by the Chief Communications Officer.
*All full-time and part-time employees of the Utah Jazz are required to be fully vaccinated (fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after your final dose). Mandatory vaccinations support our commitment to making our workplace and public facilities as safe and welcoming as possible. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals who are not able to get the vaccine due to qualifying medical, religious, or personal reasons.*
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- In collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer, develop and implement inspiring internal and external communications strategies and supporting programs that articulate the Utah Jazz business/corporate story strategically and proactively to elevate and differentiate the franchise among all key audiences
- Manage and support the company’s corporate narrative and story-telling campaigns, working in concert with all departments to identify unique, compelling story angles and communicating those messages to relevant parties (internal and external) in a way that generates results (i.e. editorial coverage or engagement)
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with members of the local and national media. Proactively pitch stories about business and corporate aspects of the Jazz to generate earned media coverage; reactively respond to media inquiries
- Research, craft, and edit a variety of communications for internal and external use. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, writing and editing content for various platforms (i.e. press releases, media advisories, pitches, byline articles, thought leadership pieces, newsletters, media prep documents); crafting compelling presentations (written and visual) to share company news; contributing to social media content; awards recognition, and other messaging initiatives that build corporate reputation
- Create and execute strategies for press conferences, media availabilities, and virtual gatherings for internal and external audiences from an operational, programming, and messaging standpoint; provide prep documents whenever necessary or as requested; continuously create unique new ways to disseminate company announcements
- Support the Chief Communications Officer with developing and executing content strategies to expertly respond to reputational challenges and crisis communications situations, as they arise
- Secure interviews, speaking engagements, and other public relations-related thought leadership opportunities for the senior leadership team
- Attend promotional activities related to the business side of the Jazz such as corporate events and community gatherings to support related media queries, filmings, interview requests, or photo opportunities
- Report on PR activities on a regular basis, in collaboration with junior team members; meet regularly with the Chief Communications Officer to discuss progress
- Interface with the NBA communications and PR teams whenever requested or required
- Stay updated on public relations trends and use the knowledge to positively impact and improve efforts executed on behalf of the company
- Collaborate with other departments and executives to support their communications needs
- Protect the reputation of the company
- Exemplify the Smith Entertainment Group values
- Accept other duties, as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related degree
- Minimum of seven years of experience in communications or public relations; at least three years of experience managing junior staff
- High degree of personal and professional savvy and ability to influence internal and external audiences (i.e employees and media)
- Strong passion for communications, storytelling, collaboration, and team building
- Outstanding written and verbal communications skills; ability to produce a wide range of excellently crafted, creative, and compelling materials and content (i.e. scripts, presentations, press releases, speeches, etc.); proven skills in copywriting, copyediting, and proofreading
- Experience working with a broad spectrum of communication vehicles including those on the Google platform
- Excellent project management and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Proactive, conceptual, strategic, and creative thinker, stimulated by challenges and open-minded with a strong desire to learn
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with discretion and diplomacy
- Ability to work well under pressure and effectively handle multiple, concurrent demands and appropriately prioritize responsibilities
- Must have intermediate knowledge in using social media platforms to communicate PR messages and liaise with the media
- Must work well in a team environment
- Able to work a flexible schedule when required, including evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- This person must be able to communicate and express themselves both written and verbally
- This person must be able to observe, inspect, estimate and assess
- This person must be able to sit, stand, bend, walk, and climb stairs for long periods of time.
- This person must be able to lift 20 lbs.
The Utah Jazz provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and Utah Jazz reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.
Utah Jazz
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