Job Title: Senior Manager, National Team Communications
Employer: USA Rugby
Job Status: Full-time, Non-exempt
Reports to: Head of Communications
Location: Preferred Denver, CO or San Diego, CA
Application Deadline: Nov 29, 2024 • Application Link
Job Summary
The Senior Manager of National Team Communications is a lead position within USA Rugby, providing an opportunity to work directly with the USA Men’s and Women’s National Teams across the Rugby World Cup and LA2028 Olympic Games. This role develops and executes content and communications of elite level rugby across the United States. This includes the Men’s and Women’s National Teams on the Sevens and 15s side, along with the USA Junior National Teams (U18/20/23). This role is also responsible for supporting commercial and partner deliverables with USA Rugby National Teams, along with strategy of communications in lead up to the LA2028 Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup. Additionally, the Senior Manager is tasked with the responsibility of building awareness for the USA Rugby National Team through strong media relationships, as well as producing and writing the communications for all national team related competitions, events and general news.
Essential Job Functions
• Create original written content for publication on USA Rugby digital properties and additional USA Rugby related fields, including but not limited to press releases, feature stories, match previews, match reports, news, updates and copywriting.
• The above deliverables pertain to Men’s and Women’s 15s, Sevens, Junior National Teams.
Manage and create social media content on USA Rugby channels for all Men’s and Women’s High Performance teams and competitions.
• Develop and execute a communications strategy driving media and fan engagement surrounding major quadrennial events including the Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup and the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
• Be central point of contact for media inquiries and outreach with USA Rugby National Teams and events.
• Alongside the Head of Communication, be a central point of contact to World Rugby and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
• Manage social media engagement and responsiveness to USA Rugby community.
Liaises with High Performance coaches, team managers and players for roster releases and post-match coverage.
• Travel to select High Performance matches and lead communications operations on site. Including press conferences, broadcast support, social media content and photography deliverables.
Desired Outcomes
• Provide quality, equitable and engaging communications across all divisions and competitions of High Performance rugby.
Continually provide improved social media content across all National Teams with the goal of increasing fan engagement and loyal fan followings.
• Be a capable and trusted resource for all National Teams and USA Rugby management in regard to communication, content and media operations.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Graphic, video and content support
• Communications intern
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, familiar with AP style guide.
• Proficient in social media ideation, creation and calendar management, preferably sports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, video editing and web management
• Familiarity with the sport of rugby, preferably on elite level.
• Ability to manage deliverables and expectations from elite level coaches and athletes
• Experience writing engaging and effective copy on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Required Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Journalism or Communications
• 2-3 years of experience in digital content production in a sports-related field.
• Willingness to travel and work weekends
Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Experience as a rugby player and/or coach
Compensation + Benefits
• Salary Range: $66,000 – $70,000/year
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), unlimited yearly PTO