Head of Communications – Media Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee both external and internal communications, media relations, executive communications, and crisis communications for USA Volleyball.

• Create and implement a proactive communications strategy that aligns with organizational goals, national team activities, significant events, and important milestones.

• Maintain a multi-year communications roadmap and a 12-month calendar that includes competitions, athlete milestones, announcements, WVWC, and LA28.

• Develop and uphold organizational messages, positioning statements, talking points, and supporting materials.

• Provide counsel to the CEO and senior leadership regarding communications opportunities, stakeholder considerations, and the implications of organizational decisions.

• Build and direct a proactive media relations program that generates coverage for USA Volleyball, national teams, athletes, events, programs, and leadership.

• Foster relationships with media outlets covering volleyball, sports, Olympic and Paralympic events, lifestyle, and business sectors.

• Identify and propose stories, athlete profiles, features, interviews, opinion pieces, and other publicity opportunities.

• Write and manage press releases, media advisories, press kits, fact sheets, biographies, and announcement materials.

• Act as the primary media contact, coordinating responses and access to spokespeople.

• Organize interviews, media briefings, and executive background discussions.

• Offer crisis communications guidance, monitor media and emerging issues, and coordinate statements and responses.

• Develop an executive visibility strategy and prepare executives for interviews, presentations, town halls, speaking engagements, and appearances.

• Lead organization-wide internal communications and manage communications for CEO town halls.

• Collaborate with HR and functional leaders on sensitive employee communications and change-management messaging.

• Plan and manage media relations for designated USA Volleyball events, including press access and on-site support.

• Develop and oversee the communications budget and external resources.

• Implement media monitoring, contact management, inquiry tracking, planning, and reporting processes.

• Produce reports that evaluate coverage quality, priority audience relevance, key message inclusion, and progress towards objectives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Extensive progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, or media relations, including senior-level responsibility for communications strategy and execution.

• Proven track record in developing proactive media programs and achieving substantial coverage across relevant sports, national, business, or consumer outlets.

• Experience providing advice to senior executives and managing sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly changing issues.

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, with the capability to convert complex or sensitive information into clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications.

• Experience in preparing executives and other spokespeople for interviews, public appearances, and challenging questions.

• Strong relationships with journalists and a demonstrated ability to establish credibility with new media contacts.

• Experience in leading internal communications and supporting organizational change initiatives.

• Ability to manage budgets, external resources, competing priorities, and deadline-driven work efficiently.

• Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.

• Preference for experience in sports, a national governing body, a membership organization, or another highly visible, stakeholder-intensive environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Successful completion of a USAV background screen is required prior to the hire date.

• Must complete SafeSport training within two weeks of the hire date and maintain current certification as a condition of continued employment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid Time Off—accrue 10 hours each pay period, up to a maximum cap of 23 days.

• Up to 15.5 paid holidays per year.

• 403B retirement plan with employer match up to 8%.

• Health benefits (medical, dental, vision) with no monthly premiums deducted for employee-only health benefits.

• Opt-out rebate for employees waiving USAV medical coverage with qualified group health plan coverage.

• Medical wellness program—earn up to $1000/year for completing health activities.

• Paid parental leave.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.

• Participation in Social and Wellness Committees.

• Discounts on sponsored vendor apparel (Mizuno).