Director, Communications

Position Overview:

Columbus NWSL 2028 (the "Club") is seeking a Director, Communications ("Director") to oversee communications strategy and media engagement for the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL)18th club, which will officially begin competition in 2028 after the expansion franchise was officially announced in April 2026. The Club desires an experienced communications professional who prioritizes meaningful relationships and proactive storytelling to support its Win, Fan, Community mission, highlighted by the unique opportunity to help build the foundation for a world-class soccer team's coaches, players, staff and fan base in preparation for its inaugural season. This position is onsite in Columbus, Ohio.

The Director role encompasses strategic soccer and business communications; leading day-to-day Club media operations and staff; and supporting HSG's long-term soccer objectives in Columbus and throughout Ohio. The position plays a critical role for the Club's communications and broadcast efforts, establishing the vision, voice and primary messaging for the organization while protecting and growing the Club's brand and reputation. Responsibilities include offering counsel to Columbus NWSL 2028's General Manager, Head Coach, Technical Staff, Business Leadership and various stakeholders across the Club while working with all departments to ensure collaboration and consistent messaging across all owned-and-operated content and external platforms. Additionally, the Director will be a primary point of contact with NWSL Public RelationsCommunications league and club contacts, broadcast rights holders' representatives and local/national media members to meet and exceed all league and women's sports communications best practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish clear strategic objectives across both soccer and commercial communications, including the unique, exciting opportunity to craft fan, community and media engagements to enhance the expansion club's goals prior to its inaugural 2028 season.
• Set and achieve measurable annual and long-term goals for the communications department while supporting organization-wide objectives across various departments.
• Serve as an advisor and resource for key staff, including the General Manager, Head Coach, Executives, Club department heads and players.
• Proactively promote and publicize the Club's on- and off-pitch successes throughout the year, including but not limited to leadership, staff, players, coaches, stadium, fan experience and community initiatives.
• Actively create and develop unique storylines and generate coverage by outlets and platforms to establish new audiences, fans and partner prospects while advancing soccer and women's sports in Columbus and globally.
• Oversee the communications department's full-time staff with a talent-development mindset.
• Implement an efficient approach for all soccer personnel to fulfill their media responsibilities with a focus on highlighting the Club's and individuals' stories in a manner that exceeds league requirements.
• Foster trusted relationship with coaches, players and staff to showcase personalities in local, national and international features.
• Create an environment that values and supports local, national and international media stakeholders' efforts to educate and advance women's sports and soccer fan bases in Ohio and beyond.
• Closely align with internal digital and social media teams to maximize the Club's voice and reach while ensuring consistency of identity across owned-and-operated channels.
• Highlight the Club's and HSG's community relations efforts to serve as philanthropic leaders in Central Ohio, including an emphasis on education and youth soccer.
• Develop a systematic approach to understand the needs and initiatives of individual departments and help with communications of those initiatives externally and internally across departments.
• Support the Club's long-term objectives for marketing, corporate partnerships, ticketing and other departments through aligned messaging and creative storytelling.
• Lead the communications department's timely distribution of media assets (press releases, training schedules, weekly game notes, event advisories, match recaps/previews, player announcements, Club events, etc.).
• Assist Columbus NWSL 2028 leadership's internal communications efforts with a focus on culture and transparency.
• Build relationships and work closely with league-wide communications personnel, broadcast partners and local, national and international media across the women's sports and soccer landscape.
• Anticipate and evaluate league-wide, external and local news events that may impact the Club and/or necessitate official public stances or comments.
• Develop annual calendar of media and public speaking opportunities for executives and help craft speeches and talking points for Club leadership's interviews and public appearances.
• Serve as organization spokesperson, as appropriate.

QualificationsSkills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field preferred.
• At least seven (7) years of previous communications experience in leadership positions with a sports league, team, major media outlet or related field.
• Experience with soccer and/or women's sports preferred.
• Strategic, proactive storyteller who can create and execute a Club-wide vision with internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion for sports and knowledge of global soccer and the NWSL.
• Strong understanding of the evolving modern media landscape.
• Well-versed in modern communications platforms, including heavy emphasis on digital content and consumer engagement strategies.
• Collaborative worker with a team-first approach who is able to understand diverse opinions and goals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills – bilingual (Spanish) is a bonus but not required.
• Ability to serve as an organization's spokesperson in various manners. Experience with on-camera interviews or major public speaking experience is a bonus but not required.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to deliver effective, concise work on tight deadlines.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams on complex projects.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with a variety of media and community contacts (such as newspapers, TV, radio, podcasts, social media, etc.)
• Exceptional project management skills with ability to lead, develop and execute at a high level.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and selfless.
• Willing to travel to multiple away matches and other major Club/league media events, as needed.