Manager, Communications

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Job Title: Manager, Communications

Department: Communications

Reports to: Director, Communications

Position Summary: The Lakers Communications Manager is charged with managing all elements of day-to-day media relations and press operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving journalists from around the world to drive quality editorial coverage. This role writes press releases, game notes, media guides and other critical communications and ensures pertinent day-to-day team information is accurately and effectively prepared and distributed to media and the NBA. This position is responsible for building the Lakers media relationships locally, nationally and internationally, focusing on basketball and player storytelling that positively serves the Lakers organization. Additionally, this role is responsible for tracking sports communications trends and spearheading projects to ensure the overall success of the Lakers communications department.

Essential Functions (Duties & Responsibilities**):

Media Relations

• Plan, manage and implement all gameday communications activities, hosting and managing 70+ journalists at more than 41 home games across the NBA season, preseason and postseason
• Plan, manage and implement all gameday communications set up, ensuring press room, media entrance, interview rooms and lower and upper media areas are sufficiently prepared to ensure seamless execution
• Plan, manage and implement regular media availabilities as mandated by the NBA, to drive quality editorial coverage around team practices, shootarounds and more
• Plan and execute Lakers media events across the season and offseason, including press conferences, Draft Night, Media Day and more
• Lead, research, write, edit and fact check daily publications and statistical communications (e.g. game notes, gameday emails, postgame recaps, statistics packets), working with a team of interns to ensure high quality, accurate work
• Write and edit clear and concise press releases and media advisories, researching and fact checking critical information to ensure quality control
• Manage coordination of interviews with players, coaches, front office and business staff
• Produce preseason, regular season and postseason media guides, per NBA regulations
• Assist the Director, Communications with the NBA injury reporting process, as well as required gameday portal submissions
• Serve as primary point-person for media questions
• Research, vet, credential and manage incoming media inquiries
• Cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with local, national and international media outlets
• Coordinate player, coach and executive award campaigns (NBA All Rookie team, All-Star and Rising Stars, etc.) and manage weekly and monthly league nominations for players and coaches
• Monitor and report on players, staff and media social media accounts
• Oversee statistical information and photo archiving; work with Coordinator(s) and interns to verify that all information is saved and archived properly
• Serve as organization’s credentialing lead for league events including Summer League, NBA Season Creds and NBA Cup
• Potential to travel to select road games throughout the NBA season, serving as a point person for media interaction and information, as directed by department lead
• Assist in hiring and training of Coordinators and seasonal interns
• Miscellaneous other tasks and special projects may be assigned as needed
  
  

Communications Planning and Execution

• Assist in implementing strategic communications plans to support organization tentpoles and basketball milestone moments across the season and offseason, including Start of Season, uniform launches, Christmas Day, key match ups, NBA All-Star, Playoffs and more
• Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to identify and develop content plans to maximize reach across platforms
• Responsibilities subject to change based on organizational needs and direction from management.
  
  

Education (Required/Preferred): Bachelor’s degree (required)

Previous experience: A minimum of five (5) years working in sports communications

Technology Capabilities

• Adobe Creative Suite
• InDesign and the ability to create and publish interactive online documents
• Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of basketball and the NBA landscape and what shapes news across the NBA season
• Critical understanding of media relations and how to create and maintain strong relationships with local, national and international media, while representing an elite brand and business
• Excellent AP writing skills with an eye for grammar, spelling and thoughtful story creation
• Ability to operate with care and accuracy at the speed of the 24-hr news cycle
• Broad knowledge and experience dealing with integrated communications approach
• Exceptional on-scene problem solving with the ability to make tough, quality decisions in a fast-paced and stressful environment, always putting the Lakers organization’s goals first
• Collaborative approach to work across multiple departments of the Lakers
• Proven experience successfully managing rapid response communications efforts
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with all levels within the team, NBA, media and other high-level outside contacts
• Strong media pitching skills, to drive beneficial stories
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills, maintaining a calm presence under pressure
• Commitment to present the utmost professionalism and highest ethical code
• Knowledge of the Los Angeles Lakers team, current roster and history
• Previous experience working with celebrities and/or professional athletes
  
  

Physical Demands: Significant amount of walking day-to-day on the job; occasional handling of heavy boxes

Location: El Segundo (UCLA Health & Training Center), downtown Los Angeles (Crypto.Com Arena for Lakers home games), potential travel for select road games and other occasional off-site events

Travel: Select road games throughout the NBA season; regional community events

The pay range for this role is $70,000 - $85,000 annually. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience and certifications. In addition to those factors, we consider the relative pay of our current employees in similar positions when making a final offer.

We are 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.