WSL Football - Communications Manager

WSL Football is building the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women's football club competition in the world for the players and fans of today and tomorrow. We need a creative, dynamic storyteller with a curious mind to join us as our new Communications Manager.

This is one of the most exciting sports communications roles, and you will play a pivotal role in promoting the Barclays Women's Super League and the Barclays Women's Super League 2 - competitions that represent the pinnacle of women's professional football in England. Reporting directly to the Head of Communications, you will work in a fast-paced environment and sit at the heart of the organisation in the Marketing Communications team, collaborating closely with marketing and content colleagues to deliver best-in-class communications campaigns.

You will help grow the profile and protect the reputation of WSL Football and collaborate with internal departments such as our world-leading league & performance development team, broadcast colleagues, operations and partnerships teams to devise and deliver strategic communications plans and tell the stories that align with our business priorities. Additionally, you will work closely with WSL Football's retained PR agency, lead relations with a wide range of recognisable clubs across the country, and work with a high-calibre roster of partners while helping to deliver an effective press office function.

The role requires a proactive, strategic thinker who enjoys engaging with media and is obsessed with finding new ways to generate coverage and make new contacts. It is a full-time permanent role, based in London, requiring the candidate to be in our Farringdon office two days a week and work on call. There will be occasional out-of-hours work and domestic travel.

What will you be doing?

• Proactively promote and protect the reputation of WSL Football within the media.
• Design, manage, co-ordinate and deliver integrated communications plans, PR campaigns and one-off stories.
• Lead communications for BWSL and BWSL2 media days, the secondary competition and the Play-Off.
• Play a central role within the integrated marcomms team to promote the league across owned and earned channels.
• Expertly manage incoming media requests, drafting statements and briefing media.
• Build effective and trusted relationships with the BWSL and BWSL2 club communications teams.
• Develop and maintain trusted working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively and tell stories associated with internal departments, including Marketing, Content, Commercial, Broadcast, League & Performance Development and Operations to generate coverage and achieve joint organisational goals.
• Produce media materials including press releases and briefing documents.
• Provide regular out-of-hours media support for any urgent media enquiries.
• Work closely with WSL Football's retained PR agency.
• Execute additional tasks as required to meet Women's Super League Football's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

• Extensive experience in media communications.
• Proven track record in creating and delivering communications strategies.
• Good media contacts book with a strong desire to grow it.
• Excellent experience of dealing with a broad range of media.
• Experience of delivering integrated marcomms and PR campaigns with excellent results.
• Capable of managing communications issues.
• Experience of working with senior executives and talent.
• Operating within a multiple internal and external stakeholder environment.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to write to deadline.
• Able to conduct UK travel if required.
• Knowledge of the WSL Football brand.
• Knowledge of professional sport and football's structures.

Beneficial to have:

• Over five years' experience within Communications (high-level experience advantageous).
• Experience of working with an agency.
• Understanding of digital communications and other promotional new media platforms.

Living the values through our behaviours:

• FOR THE LOVE OF THE WOMEN'S GAME - Every decision we make drives the growth, quality, and impact of women's football for future generations.
• GREATNESS NEVER SETTLES - We have the relentless drive to keep the women's game growing and reaching for more.
• FIND A WAY TO WIN, TOGETHER - We move as one, lifting each other up and having each other's backs.
• CHAMPION THE FEMALE ATHLETE, ON AND OFF THE PITCH - We celebrate and support female athletes, empowering them to shine in their football careers and beyond.
• PUT FANS IN THE FRONT ROW - Fans are the VIPs at the heart of our game. We must thrill, inspire, and connect with them to build lifelong loyalty.

Please note that the Women's Super League Football office is based in Farringdon in Central London. Women's Super League Football welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application. As part of the Women's Super League Football's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check.