Director, Public Relations

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The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races.

The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually with the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. For more information about The IRONMAN Group visit: www.ironman.com.

At The IRONMAN Group, our mission is to celebrate the power of the human spirit, fulfill dreams and uplift communities by organizing world-class events and extraordinary athletic experiences, globally. We accomplish this through our amazing staff across the globe who are committed to our core values - Heart, Excellence, Ambition, Respect and Teamwork (HEART).

General Summary

This senior-level position oversees the development, management and implementation of the internal and external public relations and communications function within North America, with a focus on raising the awareness and positive perception of The IRONMAN Group, its brands and event series through traditional and non-traditional media. The position will also assist in the overall global and corporate public relations and communications functions. Travel to races and handling onsite public relations at the events is a function of this job.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Create and manage The IRONMAN Group North America Communication and PR strategy to maximize brand presence across business and endemic platforms.
• Secure, develop and maintain business and endemic media relationships for The IRONMAN Group North America region.
• Oversee North American event communications, including local market outreach, positive promotion of the events, onsite support/logistics, and media credentialing practices and policies
• Support the Vice President of Global Communications and work with Global Communication function to plan and execute major business announcements and projects, including media relations, ambassadors, press conferences, and releases.
• Serve as a key point of contact for global communications team, ensuring the needs of communication activities are planned and executed on time and on strategy
• Manage communication protocols for North America and Latin America around a range of corporate, crisis, impact, and reputation situations in conjunction with regional and global business partners in legal, operations, and communications departments.
• Develop and manage holistic brand/sport-specific communication and PR strategies across event verticals (currently triathlon, road running, trail running), inclusive of celebrity and ambassador campaigns.
• Assist Vice President, Global Communications and other regional communications heads on leading Public Relations preparation and communications efforts for world championship and marquee events globally.
• Find and research compelling human-interest stories to advocate through various mediums
• Collaborate with the global marketing, social, digital, and content teams to amplify coverage and cross company storytelling
• Participate in brainstorming and strategy sessions on brands and new program development
• Measure and report strategy performance (knowledge of tools like Muck Rack, Cision, TV Eyes required), report results, identify opportunities and implement action plans to improve.
• Write and edit press releases, media kits, fact sheets, public relations materials, and other brand related written materials
• Assist in incoming press requests and management of public relations email account; ensure there is an open, accurate line of communication between company, the media, and the public
• Create media guide including writing and editing of content, research and updating statistical and historical information, selection of photos and design/layout
• Manage North America Communication team.
• Requirements
  
  

Education And Work Experience

• Bachelor degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism or similar field is preferred. MBA or an advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
• Minimum of 8-10 years experience in Public Relations/Media industry required.
  
  

Skills And Knowledge

• Excellent writing, editing skills and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work nights and weekends, with willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to perform as both a strategic thinker and tactical planner.
• Demonstrated experience in special situation and crisis communications
• Solid creative abilities, as well as excellent project and people management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and dynamically changing environment; must be flexible, able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and work under tight deadlines with meticulous attention to details.
• Strong business acumen with prior experience in creating and managing relationships with external agencies and the press.
• Strong project management skills and ability to work effectively with a team.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and a strong understanding of InDesign.
• Ability to represent organization in a highly professional and polished manner.
• Demonstrates professional ethics and demeanor at all times.
  
  

The above declarations are not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job and are a reasonable representation of its activities.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.