Our league was born out of a collective desire to empower ourselves and reimagine women’s hockey. Here, we combine grit with grace and speed with style. We move beyond discrimination in a spirit of togetherness. We elevate every one of our athletes. We commit to taking risks that will drive our growth. And we challenge ourselves to inspire future generations to dream bigger. Because this moment is bigger than all of us.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (“PWHL”) is seeking an experienced and passionate individual to serve as a Media and Community Relations Manager for the Minnesota Frost. This position reports to the team’s Director, Business Operations with support and guidance provided by the league’s Communications and External Affairs department. The successful candidate will be the primary contact to lead all media and community relations activities in the Minnesota market and have an integral role in growing the Minnesota Frost by driving communications strategies, storytelling, and relationship building that aligns and adheres with league standards and expectations.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead, develop and implement PWHL communications strategies, policies, and initiatives tailored to the local market, ensuring alignment with league objectives
- Craft and execute strategic messaging, fostering player storytelling, promoting hockey, driving business initiatives, and supporting community engagement efforts through various channels with close collaboration with league and team leadership
- Leverage relationships and proactively cultivate relationships with diverse local media outlets, continually seeking innovative opportunities for coverage across print, digital, radio, and television platforms to expand audience reach, grow media list, and elevate brand visibility
- Draft media materials including press releases, game notes, and postgame summaries to promptly disseminate to local media stakeholders
- Curate player profiles to create content that showcases players’ personalities, experiences, milestones, and achievements
- Oversee the team’s media accreditation process
- Establish and maintain effective partnerships with facility providers to ensure optimal media workspace availability and functionality
- Facilitate seamless media access and coverage at team events, practices, and home games, coordinating on-site media interactions and ensuring comprehensive coverage
- Arrange and coordinate virtual and phone interviews as needed for team personnel and players, facilitating effective communication with media representatives
- Proactively seek out, lead and participate in media appearances and community events alongside team staff and players, enhancing visibility and community engagement
- Support the planning and execution of team theme nights
- Manage charitable item donation program
- Liaise with the team photographer and videographer to produce high-quality media assets, aligning with communication objectives
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the team, its players, the league, and the local media landscape, staying abreast of relevant developments and trends
- Actively participate in regular meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions led by the league’s Communications department, contributing to the alignment of performance goals and dissemination of best practices
- Maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding proprietary company data, employee records, team records and client information
- Provide support for general administrative tasks and undertake ad hoc projects as assigned to support team and league objectives
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum of 5 years working in sports media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related professional experience
- Bachelor’s in communications, media, sports management, or related degree – Required
- Experience in the sports and entertainment industry – Preferred
- Must be proficient with computers and MS Office programs
- Ability to be on-site at all home games and events, frequent attendance at practices and other activities in the market, as well as team travel to away games and events (via bus and air) is required
SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER ATTRIBUTES:
- Demonstrated knowledge of hockey, with a strong understanding of the game’s structure, terminology, and culture, to effectively support media strategy and storytelling
- Proven expertise in public and media relations - spanning targeted pitching, media list development, press operations (pressers, scrums), embargo/exclusive management, and issues/crisis response - with a track record of story placements and building media relationships
- Innate creativity and a keen eye for storytelling, coupled with adept research skills and a penchant for generating original and innovative ideas
- Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities to promote the sharing of information inter-departmentally
- Inherent drive for continuous learning and advancement, coupled with a proactive approach to enhancing departmental processes and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, ensuring the timely achievement of goals and objectives
- Flexibility to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, as necessitated by event schedules and project deadlines, exhibiting a commitment to meeting organizational needs even on short notice
- A positive attitude and collaborative spirit- we’re building something special, and we’re looking for teammates who take their work seriously but know how to have fun along the way
COMPENSATION:
Annual Salary: The annual salary range for this role is $60,000 - $70,000 USD.
Position includes participation in all welfare, perquisites, fringe benefit, insurance, retirement and other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs, made available by the league as may be in effect from time to time.
Background check to be conducted once a successful candidate is hired.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
