Manager, Communications

Manager, Communications

The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is an MLS soccer club serving the greater Los Angeles area. LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC's ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise, and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology, and media. LAFC is invested in the world's game and Los Angeles, constructing, and developing the 22,000 seat BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal-State Los Angeles.

The Manager, Communications, is responsible for creating, maintaining, and executing public relations and media related activities for LAFC and BMO Stadium. This role reports to the VP, Communications. LAFC is currently operating on a hybrid work model with a minimum of 2 in-office days per week. Please note that this may vary by role, and your scheduled in-office days are up to the discretion of your supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Develop strategies and media pitches that both generate fan interest and engagement while elevating LAFC players, coaches, and front office staff on and off the field
• Manage the development of proactive publicity, creating and pitching feature ideas to both national and international sports media.
• Develop, maintain, and manage strong relationships with all media members and team broadcast partners
• Research, write, and edit media guides, rosters, player bios, coach bios, game notes, press releases, and other additional media materials for the club.
• Help in the development of consistent and successful messaging throughout all communications and digital platforms.
• Coordinate production logistics of publications, ensuring the highest standard of creation and presentation while managing sustainability and ease-of-use
• Monitor news and disseminate information and media clips with the organization and its stakeholders.
• Manage department inbox and respond to inbound messages in a timely manner.
• Support LAFC coaches, players and executives with interview preparation, such as but not limited to ideating message points and crafting strategic messaging.
• Manage and execute media inquiries and broadcast interview requests for LAFC players, coaches, and staff.
• Upload and maintain media materials on LAFC and Major League Soccer (MLS) media portals, ensuring informative, accurate and quick distribution. Work collaboratively with the MLS League office on communications strategy as well.
• Manage media operations and credentials processing for MLS games and non-MLS related events that take place at the stadium.
• Attend all LAFC home games to manage media hosting and logistics, such as arrival check-ins, seating assignments, and distribution of statistical information to media outlets
• Oversee and supervise part-time game day staff to set up conference rooms, press box operations, and on-field photography spots.
• Serve as club PR representative and travel on select road trips throughout the season, including MLS regular season away matches and other tournament road matches as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Club's community relations department to drive coverage of team activations in the local community.
• Assist with public relations efforts for LAFC2 (the official MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of LAFC), including but not limited to announcements and weekly media relation efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited College/University in public relations, communications, marketing, or related field required.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a communications or public relations related role required, preferably with a professional sports team and/or live entertainment organization.
• Must have solid knowledge of Major League Soccer (MLS), statistics and soccer terminology.
• Strong understanding of current patterns and trends in PR, digital and social media.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in English, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work productively and multi-task in an unstructured fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Excellent public speaking and polished presentation skills – including ability to be interviewed by the media successfully.
• Proven track record to establish effective working relationships with a variety of media and community contacts (such as newspapers, TV, radio, social media, etc.).
• Detail-oriented, driven self-motivator with a strong work ethic to get the job done.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as the event calendar requires.
• Working knowledge of Google Workplace and Microsoft Office Suite programs - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Must be able to obtain or possess a valid, current U.S. passport and be able to travel with the team as needed.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Korean is a plus.

Salary Range

At LAFC, we carefully consider a wide range of factors to determine a fair and equitable compensation package. The final offer amount will consider a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience and training. Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure guidelines, the compensation range for this role is up to $80,000 per year.

Hiring Practices

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

LAFC strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must possess work authorization, which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa.