At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media operations for Birmingham City FC's First Team, managing press relations and matchday activities.
- Company: Join Birmingham City FC, a club with rich history and growing global presence in football.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment, opportunities for growth, and the chance to shape media narratives.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of football media, influencing how the club is perceived worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in elite sports media, strong communication skills, and a degree or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: Flexible hours and travel required; commitment to diversity and safeguarding is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Birmingham City Football Club are growing global attention and significant investment on and off the pitch, we are seeking a Football Media Manager to take the lead on all media operations relating to the First Team and play a key role in shaping how the Club is seen and heard across the world. This role is central to delivering first-class football media relations, managing matchday operations, and enhancing the Club’s growing reputation in football and wider culture. You’ll be the key interface between the Club and external media, ensuring professional delivery, strong messaging, and strategic media engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all football media relations at the Club, managing incoming requests from broadcasters, production companies, and news media.
- Own and oversee the media operations for all Men’s First Team fixtures – home and away – acting as the primary point of contact for press and opposition staff.
- Coordinate and manage player media schedules, interviews, appearances and internal media obligations, ensuring a structured and proactive approach throughout the season.
- Act as a trusted liaison to the First Team Manager and senior football staff to align messaging and build strong working relationships.
- Oversee the full matchday media operation at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park including accreditation, media access, press lounge, and broadcast compliance.
- Organise and lead press conferences, media days, photoshoots and ad-hoc interview opportunities.
- Brief Club representatives in advance of media activity to ensure consistent and aligned messaging.
- Support the Head of Communications in shaping and delivering the Club’s wider communications strategy.
- Line manage the Editorial Lead and Women’s Lead, fostering collaboration and continued development across the media team.
- Collaborate with the social media team to ensure digital activation meets commercial KPIs, including naming rights agreements.
- Monitor the media landscape, proactively identifying and addressing potential reputational risks and leading on reactive media strategy when needed.
- Maintain trusted relationships with governing bodies, media partners and rights holders to ensure compliance with all media regulations.
- Champion the Club’s reputation by proactively managing media narratives and promoting positive, engaging stories across key platforms.
- Build strong relationships across local, national and international football media to elevate the Club’s voice in the global conversation.
Who We’re Looking For
This role requires a seasoned communications professional with first-hand experience in elite football or a comparable high-pressure sports environment. You’ll be calm under pressure, highly organised, and confident engaging with everyone from international media to senior Club figures and professional athletes.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Extensive experience with front-line media experience in football or elite sport.
- Proven experience of managing media relations and operations in a matchday environment.
- Excellent communicator, able to craft and deliver clear messaging under pressure.
- Strong knowledge of broadcast, digital and social media channels and trends.
- Extensive media network with strong working relationships in football and wider press.
- Experienced in crisis communications, with the ability to act swiftly and decisively.
- Skilled in managing multiple stakeholders and leading teams to deliver against key objectives.
- Calm, confident and flexible in approach, with the ability to travel and work irregular hours as needed.
- A natural leader with outstanding interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience.
- Strong writing and copywriting skills.
- Awareness of content and cultural trends in football media.
Why Birmingham City FC?
This is more than a media role – it’s a chance to shape the public perception of a Club with ambition, history, and momentum. You’ll work at the heart of the First Team operation, contribute to strategic communications, and help the Club make its mark on a global scale. Birmingham City FC is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community and consider all candidates based solely on merit, regardless of background. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will undergo a thorough background check and be required to complete safeguarding training. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know.
Football Media Manager employer: Birmingham City FC
Contact Detail:
Birmingham City FC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Football Media Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the football media industry. Attend events, conferences, or matches where you can meet journalists, club representatives, and other media managers. Building these connections can give you insights into the role and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends in football media and communications. Follow relevant social media accounts, subscribe to industry newsletters, and engage with content that discusses media strategies in sports. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview scenarios by practising how you would handle media crises or challenging situations. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed media relations under pressure, as this will showcase your ability to thrive in high-stress environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Birmingham City FC's recent media coverage and public perception. Understanding the club's current narrative will allow you to tailor your approach and suggest innovative ideas for enhancing their media presence during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Football Media Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Football Media Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in media relations, especially within football or elite sports.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your extensive media experience, particularly in high-pressure environments. Include specific examples of how you've managed media operations on matchdays and any successful campaigns you've led.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for football and your understanding of the Club's vision. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've effectively engaged with media and stakeholders in previous roles.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Given the importance of strong writing in this role, consider including samples of your work or links to articles you've written. This will demonstrate your ability to craft clear and engaging messaging under pressure.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City FC
✨Know Your Media Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current media landscape surrounding Birmingham City FC and its competitors. Understand the key journalists, outlets, and trends in football media to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've effectively managed media relations in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to craft clear messaging and handle crisis communications, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be ready to share instances where you've successfully led a team or project, particularly in a sports environment. Emphasise your interpersonal skills and how you've fostered collaboration among team members.
✨Align with Club Values
Research Birmingham City FC's history, values, and recent developments. Show how your personal values align with the club's mission and how you can contribute to enhancing its reputation on a global scale.