As it seeks to tackle declining TV ratings and growing disinterest among fans, the National Football League is on the hunt for a new public relations manager with a specialty in “crisis communications.”
The NFL “career site” says, “the strategist will provide crisis communications counsel to leagues executives.” And, it adds that the winning candidate must be “a person with the highest moral and ethical standards, who can be relied upon to always act in the best long-term interests of the League.”
The move follows the decision by the league’s very able spokesman and former White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, to step down to spend more time with his family and other interests such as teaching.
The NFL, preparing for the upcoming Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, is in troubling situation following a season of player protests over many issues, including race. TV ratings have dropped and fans disgruntled over the protests have boycotted stadiums.
The new league communicator will play a role in fixing some of those issues in what the Washington PR jobs website Potomac Flacks called a “dream job.” And, experience is preferred, but apparently not necessary.
Below is the NFL’s job description:
Requisition Number
2552
Job Title
Senior Communications Strategist
Location
New York-NY
Position Type
Full-Time Regular
Experience & Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in related field
Job Description
Responsibilities:
The senior communications strategist will be responsible for proactively developing plans and strategies aimed at publicly positioning the NFL to key audiences through all communication channels, both traditional and emerging media. They will work closely with communications department leadership to create messaging to reflect the league’s wide variety of priorities and expedite organizational decision-making.
Additionally, the strategist will:
- Provide crisis communications counsel to leagues executives.
- Devise strategy and long term vision to strategically position the NFL in the sports marketplace.
- Provide guidance to senior leadership, including executive vice presidents and COO to achieve desired reputational results and develop metrics to measure success.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of 8+ years of experience in communications or journalism with expertise in storytelling, issue management and long term planning
- Successfully demonstrated ability to lead, participate in, and support cross-departmental activities.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills, excellent organizational skills and strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent working knowledge of the PR field including documented experience working in public, fast paced, high-pressure situations.
Other Key Attributes / Characteristics:
- Strategic Leader: The successful candidate will think and act strategically as a valued member of the communications department and other NFL units.
- Trusted Advisor: He/she will serve as a credible PR resource to clubs and league executives
- An individual with intense and dedicated work habits. Someone who takes initiative, speaks his/her mind, and sets high standards in all he/she does.
- An individual comfortable working in a diverse environment
- A creative, imaginative individual who has the business acumen, curiosity and ability to define innovative strategy and deliver against it.
- A person with the highest moral and ethical standards, who can be relied upon to always act in the best long-term interests of the League.
- A person with the capacity to be a hands-on, sleeves-up team player.
- Superior judgement and communication skills, as well as political sensitivity both internally and externally
- Experience in corporate communications, sports or entertainment is preferred.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
