The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) recently announced its expansion with the addition of two new teams in Seattle and Vancouver, beginning play in the fall of 2025. To support this exciting growth, the PWHL is seeking an experienced and passionate individual to serve as Communications Manager for the PWHL Seattle team.
The successful candidate will be the primary contact leading all media efforts in the Seattle market. This individual will play an integral role in growing the team by driving communications strategy, storytelling, and relationship-building that aligns with league-wide standards. The Communications Manager will report to the team’s Director of Business Operations, with additional support and guidance from the league’s Communications and External Affairs department.
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, and driving business initiatives through various channels with close collaboration with league and team leadership
• Proactively cultivate relationships with diverse local media outlets and leverage relationships, continually seeking innovative opportunities for coverage across print, digital, radio, and television platforms to expand audience reach and elevate brand visibility, and to grow media list
• Oversee the PWHL Seattle team’s media accreditation process, by drafting media materials including press releases, game notes, postgame summaries, and media guides to promptly disseminate to local media stakeholders.
• Curate player profiles to create content that showcases players’ personalities, experiences, milestones, and achievements
• Arrange and coordinate in-person, 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 alongside team staff and players, enhancing visibility
• Support the planning and execution of team theme nights
• Actively participate in regular meetings 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
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum of 5 years working in sports media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related professional experience
• Bachelor’s in Communications, Journalism, 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
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER ATTRIBUTES:
• 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 (e.g., 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.
