Director, Media Relations

Job Description

Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun – two Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned regional sports networks are seeking a seasoned, dynamic communications professional to drive the public relations strategy for the regional networks that currently serve as the television and streaming homes of the Miami HEAT, Orlando Magic, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with additional offices in Tampa, the two networks present more live, local sports programming than any other network in the market to viewers and fans across the Sunshine State.

Position Summary

The Director of Media Relations will play an integral role in the brand positioning of the networks, leveraging public relations strategies to reinforce the Florida RSNs as the most well-known fan destination for their home teams. The position requires clear and timely communication of content and/or business initiatives focused around live sports, original programming, team partnerships, ad sales, ratings, executive positioning, and community relations.

The primary focus of the role is to foster relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to develop and create strategic communications plans to 1) leverage our content to garner earned media and build brand affinity for the Florida RSNs; 2) proactively manage the sports narrative by pitching media outlets to arrange interviews, talent appearances, and other media exposure for the brand; and 3) cultivate deep relationships with team partners and media outlets across the region.

Additional Responsibilities

Proactively manage ''traditional'' media relations practices and tactics for key events and initiatives across the sports season:
• Utilize social media daily to enhance reach of messaging and digital voice
• Develop and distribute press releases
• Serve as a communications liaison with trade and consumer media outlets, team partners and fans
• Maintain media relations archives of releases, images, talent bios, media contacts, earned media, etc.
• Draft speaking points and media statements as required
• Respond to/direct media inquiries as appropriate and in a timely fashion
• Support the networks' award submission process (e.g. Emmys)
• Track and analyze program ratings for media placements as well communicate ratings to team partners
• Research and propose new public relations and promotions concepts

Skills & Abilities
• Strong sensibilities to create the right PR messages and craft the right story to convey that message.
• Ability to serve as a brand ambassador to represent the networks in a professional manner at all times.
• Dynamic personality with proven ability to develop and maintain successful business relationships.
• Complementary blend of both traditional and digital media expertise, with the ability to exercise either or both as needed when targeting consumer-facing and/or trade media.
• Deep understanding of the power of communication through public relations and be comfortable with evangelizing the RSNs to a wide range of constituents, including fans, media, and team partners.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to multitask and work in a live, fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree or educational equivalent required, plus a minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience working in communication/PR-related roles.
• Knowledge and/or experience in live sports, news and/or agency environment strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to write press materials and pitch press.
• Deep knowledge of Florida sports teams.
• Solid rapport with local/regional media and an existing database of related contacts strongly preferred.

Work Environment

NOTE: this role is temporarily remote/WFH due to COVID-19 protocols, but candidate will ultimately need to be based in South Florida and maintain an in-office presence in Fort Lauderdale. Primarily works in a professional office environment but will also need to be onsite at games and events as needed, often during nights and weekends. Regional travel is required on a monthly basis.

Physical Demands

Typical functions required in an office space – heavy use of computer and phone. May be required to lift boxes weighing up to 25lbs on occasion.

Typical tools, equipment and software utilized
• Microsoft Office suite
• Cision/Vocus or related PR database software
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Linkedin, Snapchat and related social media platforms

Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun – two Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned regional sports networks – are the local destinations for the Orlando Magic, Miami HEAT, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. Together, Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun present more live, local sports programming than any other network in the market. Serving sports fans across the Sunshine State, the regional networks combine to produce more than 700 live sporting events and over 300 studio based and original programs year round. Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award-winning TV, digital and streaming coverage of Florida's hometown sports teams. For more information and content, visit www.BallySports.com and follow @BallySportsFL on Twitter, @BallySportsFlorida on Instagram and Bally Sports Florida on Facebook.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gx6ynz-18-223-43-142-42 in your application.