Manager, Communications

Manager, Communications

Position: Manager, Communications

Department: Seattle Kraken Communications Team

Reporting To: Director, Communications

Our Purpose:

We are building a championship organization that serves our fans, community and business partners through world class sports and entertainment. We believe that winning matters, our fans come first, with risk comes reward, great teams can achieve unimaginable results, honoring the Pacific Northwest is our duty and driving the business is our responsibility.

Since the team was awarded in 2018 through to our first puck drop in 2021, the Kraken brand has become one of the most recognized and beloved in the NHL. Playing at Climate Pledge Arena, the most sustainable arena in the world, we want to provide a memorable experience every night and make fans for life. Our joint foundation, One Roof Foundation aims to advance equity and sustainability by increasing opportunities to thrive for our most vulnerable young people and communities. Kraken Community Iceplex serves not only as the official practice facility for the team, but also as a thriving 3-sheet community facility providing skating and hockey programming for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring:

The Seattle Kraken aspire to write a new playbook in sports and entertainment that includes everyone. In alignment with this vision, if you don't meet every job requirement listed—or if you haven't played ice hockey before or are still learning about the sport—we still encourage you to apply. We understand you may bring other relevant experiences and expertise to help us become the highest performance organization we can be. One of our core values is 'Make Us Better' and we recognize diversity, equity and inclusion as a critical business strategy.

If you'd like to request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please let us know by emailing: View email address on click.appcast.io.

The Role:

The Seattle Kraken are seeking a Manager, Communications. The role provides services to all media representatives and outlets, as well as the Kraken hockey operations department, to ensure the best possible exposure and the dissemination of information for the team and its external partners. The key responsibilities of this position are to establish and maintain highly positive, mutually beneficial relationships with media organizations, other internal departments, and other pertinent audiences. This individual will serve as the editor of media game notes, one of the primary editors of the organization's media guide and will schedule the organization's game-night press box staff. The successful candidate will need to bring new and dynamic ways to tell our stories and an open-minded approach, while owning an advanced attention to detail.

If you have a knowledge of hockey and a comfort level with its statistics and vernacular, as well as a drive to help the Kraken become a global brand, this is the role for you.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Author the pregame email for all 84 regular-season games, which includes head-to-head matchups, players to watch, updating building information and marketing initiatives if applicable.
• Produce game notes for all regular season, pre-season and playoff games.
• Support media access to players on practice and game days. Assist in coordinating media requests, including local radio stations and print and digital outlets.
• Ability to travel on road trips when needed as team communications contact.
• Manage and service all the needs of the visiting team's staff and media for all home games and practices.
• Provide editorial assistance/lead to team publications, including media guide, training camp guide and post-season guide, as well as potential team programs and yearbooks.
• Responsible for coordinating with seasonal intern on daily newspaper clippings work, filing and organizing of team documents, archival binders for press releases, Prospect Report, etc.
• Work closely with Kraken beat writers and local media in disseminating all pertinent team information and news, including producing daily clips emails.
• Manage the team's credentialing process for season credentials and game nights.
• Manage and maintain the media department's press e-mail distribution lists.
• Serve as a liaison between hockey staff and players, and between the communications team and other departments, such as community development and sponsorship.
• Track and help organize all player and staff interviews and appearances.
• Ability to generate and pitch story ideas about all facets of the Kraken organization, including players and hockey operations.
• Perform other tasks and projects as required.

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience is preferred.
• Passion and knowledge of the NHL and the Seattle sports market are an asset.
• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) is preferred.
• An advanced attention to detail, especially in relation to statistics and written projects.
• Highly proficient in verbal and written communications, especially editing and writing.
• Interpersonal skills specific to the media and high-profile situations, including judgment and public savvy.
• Possess an appropriate degree of discretion and judgment when handling organization and media relations actions, especially confidential projects.
• Sensitivity to needs of various departments and the ability to meet needs within organization constraints.
• Possess systematic approach to organization and time management in order to manage projects and priorities reliably and punctually without compromising attention to detail.
• Exhibit good judgment and decision-making skills, as well as ability to manage your own time and implement your own schedule.
• Strong knowledge of modern social media, web content, digital advertising tactics and strategies.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.

Total Rewards Package:

• Compensation: In accordance with Washington's Equal Pay and Opportunity Act, the expected salary range for this position is $82,000 - $86,000. The full salary band for this level is $82,000 - $90,000. Actual base pay will depend on employee's experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.
• This role is classified as full-time, exempt.
• Bonus eligibility
• Monthly cell phone stipend

• Benefits & Perks: Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, including premiums for eligible dependents enrolled in the plans
• Company-paid life insurance and short & long term disability insurance
• Company-paid employee assistance program and Headspace subscription
• Flexible spending accounts and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance available
• Company-paid Orca card
• 401k (pre-tax and Roth) with Company match up to 4%
• 10 vacation days, 3 personal holidays, and accrued sick time
• Minimum 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid parental leave
• Kraken ticket stipend and employee only pre-sale opportunities to non-Kraken events
• Discounts at the Kraken Team Stores, Kraken Community Iceplex, 32 Bar & Grill, and other partners
• Company-wide recognition platform
• Corporate office located at the Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate; within walking distance of the Northgate Light Rail Station and Northgate Transit Center; free parking

Working Conditions:

• This role is based on-site in our Seattle office and requires work to be performed in person. However, we do value flexibility as the business will allow and offer occasional opportunities to work from home.
• Occasional travel: May be required to travel. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required.
• Frequent bending, lifting 15-20 pounds, sitting, exposure to multiple external elements, extensive walking through the building.

Seattle Hockey Partners, LLC and Seattle Arena Company, LLC are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate on basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.