USA Wrestling is seeking a Communications Manager to join its Communications Department. This is a full-time position that reports to the Director of Communications. The Communications Manager will play a key role in developing and executing organizational communications activities, supporting media relations efforts, creating impactful content, and facilitating strong collaboration across teams and projects. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience, have a passion for sports and communications work, be a compelling storyteller through digital mediums, and be a positive influence that elevates team members.
Primary Responsibilities
Media Relations and Communications
- Use professional judgement and creativity to create engaging media campaigns; Serve as liaison between media members and organizational stakeholders such as national staff, athletes and coaches to create and deliver said campaigns.
- Create, plan and execute media strategies and promotional campaigns targeted around key wrestling and business initiatives to drive national media coverage and increase fan engagement.
- Coordinate day-to-day media operations, including distribution of corporate press releases, U.S. National Team lineups and results for international tours and USA Wrestling events.
- Manage media credentialling for USA Wrestling regional and national events.
- Serve as on-site media contact at assigned USA Wrestling events, providing detailed check-in information, a smooth credentialing process, and professional hospitality for media members.
- Assist in maintaining accurate historical archives of USA Wrestling, including event results, athlete and coach biographies, photos, videos and additional press materials.
- Design and update annual media guides for USA Wrestling World Teams across all age divisions.
- Maintain up-to-date season stats and record book for the U.S. Senior National Team.
Content Creation and Digital Channels
- Serve as managing editor for USA Wrestling’s website, TheMat.com.
- Create original multimedia content for USA Wrestling digital platforms, including written, photo and video content for website and social media channels.
- Collaborate on social media strategy and channel management, including ownership of select social media projects from concept to execution.
- Develop creative storytelling concepts to feature USA Wrestling athletes, coaches and other relevant stakeholders on USA Wrestling digital properties. Apply multimedia journalism techniques to showcase unique stories within the wrestling community and build star power.
- Lead production and creative direction of new USA Wrestling podcast properties, including identifying opportunities for the organization to expand in the podcast market, creation and ownership of original podcasts, scheduling guests and recordings, audio review and editing, posting to designated platforms, and promotion of podcasts.
- Coordinate USA Wrestling’s freelance contributor program to include contract journalists, photographers, videographers, graphic designers or other content creators. This includes working with the Director of Communications on budget allocation and contributor pipeline development.
Organizational and Corporate Partnership Support
- Serve as a point of contact for USA Wrestling broadcast rightsholder (FloSports), ensuring alignment on programming, event coverage and content priorities.
- Provide support for USA Wrestling’s digital marketing campaigns through the creation of written, graphic or video assets. Campaign focus areas may include membership engagement, event registration and ticket sales, corporate partnership fulfillment and owned technology platform user acquisition.
- Serve as a resource for USA Wrestling state association media and communications contacts. Participate in the development of regular educational workshops and networking opportunities for these individuals.
- Consistently track key performance metrics of assigned projects and report to internal stakeholders.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Journalism, Communications, Broadcasting, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, Digital Media, etc.).
- Three-to-five years of relevant professional experience with a focus on corporate communications activities. Experience in journalism, public relations, college or Olympic sports communications, or related industries is desirable.
- Proven writing and communication skills. Types of writing will include feature writing, event-focused previews and reports, and short-form social media copy.
- Must be able to develop and maintain professional relationships and comfortably conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders (athletes, coaches, etc.).
- A working knowledge of and experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro and Audition.
- Experience creating social media content for a business or brand account. Ideal platform experience includes Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
- A resourceful mentality to think outside of the box and problem-solve in a variety of professional situations. Will be required to use professional judgement and take ownership of work on a daily basis.
- Willingness to travel to domestic and international events, and work non-traditional hours, including events held on nights, weekends and holidays.
- The ability to work under a deadline, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and possess the ability to work both independently and within a group setting.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- A master’s degree in a relevant field (Journalism, Communications, Broadcasting, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, Digital Media, Business Administration, etc.).
- Basic knowledge of wrestling (athletes, rules, history, etc.).
- Experience working in content management systems and customer relationship management systems.
- Experience with project management systems and maintaining a content calendar.
- An understanding of current social media trends, what types of content are relevant to each platform, and the different audiences USA Wrestling reaches by channel.
- Hands-on experience operating digital camera equipment (cameras, microphones, lighting, etc.), being comfortable and confident conducting photo and video shoots across a variety of environments and diverse individuals throughout the wrestling community.
- People management experience is a plus.
Salary Range
$70,000-$77,000 per year, depending on experience.
Benefits
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Approximately 10 paid holidays per year
- 403 (b) retirement plan
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Employer paid life insurance
Other Information
- This role may have people management responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Director of Communications.
- Other duties may be assigned to the Communications Manager as deemed necessary by the Director of Communications or Executive Director.
- The ability to work from USA Wrestling’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., is required.
- The ability to work in arena settings, including in loud, high-energy environments during wrestling events is required.
- Travel to domestic and international events, and work non-traditional hours, including events held on nights, weekends and holidays is required.
- Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time during events, and occasional lifting of equipment or supplies up to 25 pounds is expected.
- This individual will coordinate closely with staff across all departments at USA Wrestling. The position also includes work with volunteers throughout the organization.
- USA Wrestling is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
