Job Summary
The Vice President, Communications and Community Relations plans and implements the company's communications / public relations strategies and messages with ownership, club President of Business Operations and senior management executives while serving as the club’s spokesperson. The VP also serves as the interdepartmental facilitator for needs and objectives relative to the overall public mission of the club. The VP supervises the organization’s Communications (hockey and business), Community Outreach, Community Foundation and Broadcast Sales departments. The VP also serves as the executive editor for all club publications. The position also assists in the negotiations and fulfillment of the local television, radio (general market amp; French) and broadcaster contracts. The VP shall oversee the club’s relationship with the Senators Community Foundation and Alumni Association.
Reports to: President of Business Operations
Direct Reports: Director of Communications; Executive Director of Senators Foundation; Director, Fan amp; Community Development, Broadcasting / Sens TV, Publications and Television media sales.
Main Responsibilities
- Develops the club’s strategies and communications (Media, Community, Ottawa Municipal Affairs) goals with ownership and club executives
- Serves as club’s spokesperson on behalf of ownership involving hockey, community, business and Canadian Tire Center events
- Club’s primary contact for NHL initiatives: PR, Broadcasting amp; Community
- Regularly briefs ownership, President of Business Operations and club officers on sensitive and/ or controversial issues
- Actively participates in annual NHL public relations and broadcast meetings
- Overlooks the Ottawa Senators Radio Network operations including affiliate relations
- Negotiates general market/ French radio contracts; staff broadcasters and negotiate their contracts
- Assists in the negotiation of the RSN television contract
- Provides market analysis for media throughout the year for both radio and TV
- Overlooks the club’s Community Relations efforts and responsible for all Ottawa Municipal Affairs
- Overlooks the three Sensplex business plans amp; budgets and serves on its board of directors (or Advisory role)
- Overlooks the club’s Foundation initiatives and serve on its board of directors (or Advisory role)
- Oversees player relations and their participation in club Foundation events/ Give Campaigns
- Executive editor/ creative consultant for club Publications
- Oversees the relationship with the Ottawa Senators Alumni Association and manages their participation in club Sales/ Marketing and Community initiatives
- Serves on community/ business board of directors that align with the mission of the club
- Manages and executes annual budgets for all the departments; manages capital expense budgets
Requirements
- Over 10 years of experience working with a professional sports team, preferably with one of the four major sports leagues
- Extensive experience, preferably at the professional sports level, in communications/ public relations, broadcasting and community foundation/ outreach
- Excellent knowledge of local and national sports/ business media contacts
- Experience as a senior-level management executive with a proven record as a quality leader and motivator who can communicate information to the media that allows interested parties to form a valid and favorable opinion as to the professional activities of the team, its members and the company as a whole
- Outstanding budget-management skills; experience overseeing budgets
- Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple time sensitive obligations in a dynamic environment
- Progressive approach toward the current and future landscape of corporate communications, with a strong understanding of technology and social media platforms
- Bilingual English and French considered an asset.