Director, Communications

Job Summary

The Director, Communications has primary oversight of the Communications staff and is responsible for all aspects of communications for USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation. The Communications team supports the organization in the core functions of communications, public relations, media relations, print and digital publications, digital and social content, athlete promotion, organizational storytelling and internal member communications.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Senior Director, Marketing and Communications and Chief Commercial Officer to cultivate the public image of USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation through internal and external communications.
• Oversight of all internal and external communications, public relations, and media relations and operations, in order to:
• Ensure consistent and accurate messaging across the organization.
• Serve as the company spokesperson or partner with members of the Strategy Team who will speak on behalf of the organization.
• Plan and execute communications and media operations at all National events, including U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, National Championships, Toyota U.S. Open and TYR Pro Swim Series.
• Plan and execute communications and media operations for the U.S. National Team at international events, including World Championships and the Olympic Games.
• Provide media training and author speaking points for U.S. National Team athletes, coaches, USA Swimming staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with USA Swimming’s Partnership Marketing team to execute corporate partner communications and media relations efforts.
• Manage content ideation and execution for USA Swimming platforms, including and not limited to:
• USASwimming.org
• member communications
• social and digital media
• Serve as the Communications liaison to all internal business units.
• Draft and execute communications plans for annual organization events including:
• Make-a-Splash Tour
• Annual Business Meeting
• USA Swimming Workshop
• Golden Goggles Awards
• Manage production of the organization’s communications policy manual and subsequent staff compliance.
• Develop and manage interpersonal welcome for new employees.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge and practice of industry standard public relations, media relations and communications best practices.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills across multiple channels and for a multitude of audiences to ensure accurate and desired messaging is achieved and maintained.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. Execute and deliver messaging while maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor. Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to function and adapt well in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work well with others in a collaborative environment.
• Organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Time management and the ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and produce appropriate responses to internal and external requests, delegating when appropriate.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Teams and Office Suite, Zoom, media management platforms, project management platforms, website publishing and customer relationship management platforms.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, digital storytelling or related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working in communications, media relations, public relations, journalism, digital storytelling or related field. Experience working in sports preferred.
• Minimum five years’ experience in a supervisory role.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Must be able to lift up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Ability to travel and perform essential duties and responsibilities, both domestically and internationally, up to 20% of the year.
• Must maintain documentation that allows for international travel for the duration of employment.
• This position works in an office setting in the USA Swimming headquarters office in Colorado Springs, Colorado; must be willing to relocate to Colorado Springs, Colorado, or the surrounding area.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000 annually.
• Bonus Eligibility: Based on company performance, this position may be eligible for an annual target bonus of 10%
• Relocation assistance provided.
• Benefits available include:
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Company paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company paid group term life and AD&D insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• 401 (k) w/match after 1 year of service
• Profit sharing and safe harbor match after 2 years of service
• EAP
• PTO
• 12+ paid holidays

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Colorado Springs, CO 80909: Reliably commute or willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (Required)

Work Location: In person