Position: Communications Specialist (Seasonal) - Columbus Aviators

Reports to: Sr. Director, Communications

Location: The candidate must live within the Columbus, OH area as this is a hybrid position.

About the UFL:

The United Football League (UFL) is the premier professional spring football league, powered by the visionary leadership and investment of Mike Repole and Impact Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and ESPN. Built on innovation, accessibility, and competitive excellence, the UFL delivers the most engaging professional football experience in the world—for both players and fans. The league features eight teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, and St. Louis Battlehawks.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Communications Specialist serves as a senior communications professional responsible for managing and executing league and team-level media relations strategies within an assigned local market. Acting as the on-site communications authority (“boots on the ground”), this role exercises independent judgment in managing media relationships, overseeing game-day media operations, and advising internal stakeholders on communications strategy. The position reports to the Senior Director of Communications and works closely with cross-functional partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and strategic messaging that supports league objectives, brand reputation, and business operations.

What you will do:

Strategic Communications & Media Relations

Independently develop, draft, and distribute official communications materials, including game notes, press releases, media advisories, statistical summaries, and postgame recaps, ensuring alignment with league messaging and communications standards.
Serve as a primary liaison between the organization and local, regional, and national media outlets, exercising discretion in media engagement, story pitching, interview facilitation, and response management.
Maintain and strategically manage local media relationships, media distribution lists, podcast databases, and targeted pitch strategies to support league visibility and business priorities.
Provide guidance and recommendations to internal stakeholders regarding media strategy, messaging approach, and timing of announcements.

Media Operations & Oversight

Assist in coordinating the media credentialing process for all home games, including approval decisions, access levels, and compliance with league policies.
Manage media monitoring systems, including clip tagging, trend analysis, and reporting, to inform leadership of media coverage, reputational considerations, and emerging narratives.
Will be provided direction to schedule and coordinate media availability for coaches, players, and executives, applying judgment to balance operational needs, messaging priorities, and media demands.

Game Day Communications Leadership

Lead game-day media operations in accordance with league timelines and policies, including the distribution of official materials, statistics, rosters, and postgame documentation.
Serve as the Media Relations Representative on the game-day emergency management team when the Senior/Director of Communications is unavailable, representing communications interests in time-sensitive decision-making.
Exercise supervisory authority over game-day staff, interns, and statistics runners, including assignment of duties, operational oversight, and issue resolution.
Coordinate press box operations, media seating, credential access, Wi-Fi distribution, and sponsored elements in postgame press conference areas.
Collaborate with football operations and communications leadership to manage injury reporting, postgame player selections, and locker room media access.

Collaboration & Advisory Role

Partner with marketing, sponsorship, and league communications teams to ensure integrated messaging and execution of sponsored and promotional initiatives.
Advise the Senior/Director of Communications on local market dynamics, media sentiment, and opportunities or risks related to public relations and brand reputation.
Represent the communications function in planning discussions, providing input that impacts league operations and public-facing strategy.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other professional-level duties as assigned that support league communications and business objectives.
Travel as required to support league events and operations (reimbursed when applicable).

What you will bring

The qualifications listed below represent the credentials necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

3-5 years of experience in communications and public relations, with specific experience in the sports, media and/or entertainment industries
Bachelor’s degree is required
Experience in media game day activities, including press box operations.
Strong knowledge of sports, entertainment, and media landscape.
Solid relationships with relevant local media contacts.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent project management skills, while exercising flexibility and ability to adapt in fast-paced work environment
A self-starter with enthusiasm and determination to ensure consistent achievement of deliverables, timelines, and objectives across multiple stakeholders.
Ability to travel and flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Details

The role will be located in Columbus, OH area.
The role is hybrid, works in a remote office and/or an office environment and will be expected to attend all team games and events.
This position requires the employee to remain standing in an upright position for extended periods of time as part of the job responsibilities.
This position involves walking significant distances within the facilities throughout the workday.
The position may involve extended periods of sitting as part of the job duties.
The role requires the ability to lift and carry objects on a regular basis including:
- Light Lifting: The employee may be required to lift objects weighing up to 15 pounds regularly.
Regular domestic travel to UFL team markets will be required during the season. Ability to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required.
Other duties as assigned by Sr. Director, Communications.

Compensation

This role is eligible for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life insurance, a 401(k) plan, unlimited PTO and offers a discretionary bonus. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The UFL maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.