Media Relations Director, Sports

About the role

We're looking for a Director, Media Relations to lead earned media strategy and execution across our Sports & Entertainment practice, while supporting other practice groups as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive innovative media strategies for sports, entertainment and lifestyle clients, owning all aspects of execution alongside account teams.
• Ensure clients are part of culturally relevant conversations across sports, entertainment, lifestyle, music, fashion, wellness and business media.
• Create compelling angles, pitches and storytelling opportunities that secure coverage across traditional outlets (print, online and broadcast) and emerging platforms (podcasts, Substacks, digital video, newsletters and social).
• Bring a strong roster of sports, entertainment and lifestyle media contacts while continually expanding your network through pitching, press meetings and IRL and virtual connections.
• Partner with creative teams to ensure ideas are press-worthy.
• Staff and support client events, athlete and celebrity activations, press days, red carpets and experiential opportunities. Media train spokespeople and staff interviews to ensure polished execution.
• Serve as the go-to expert on media trends, emerging platforms and target outlets on client calls and in campaign planning. Create forward-looking POVs that translate industry shifts into actionable strategies.
• Manage proactive and reactive media relations while mentoring junior staff in pitching, strategy and client service. Lead staff development initiatives and contribute to broader culture programs.
• Work closely with media, influencer, corporate and integrated teams (creative, social and analytics) to deliver smart, connected work. Contribute to agency-wide media POVs and share learnings from press interactions.
• Partner with account leads to establish KPIs, oversee reporting and monitoring and make recommendations to optimize performance.
• Participate in new business opportunities, travel as needed for client and media engagements and help shape the future of Praytell's Sports, Entertainment and Lifestyle practice.

Requirements

• 8+ years of PR and media relations experience
• Experience developing and executing standout campaigns across sports, entertainment and lifestyle brands
• Strong relationships across the media landscape, particularly within sports and sports business
• Ability to leverage AI tools for research, workflow optimization, ideation and creative development
• Results-oriented mindset

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field
• Proven track record of success in media relations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Passion for storytelling and cultural relevance

Skills

• Media relations and earned media strategy
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Collaborative leadership and team management
• Outreach and networking
• Storytelling and creative development
• AI and technology integration

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care coverage
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• 18 company holidays
• Flex Fridays
• PrayCare wellness stipend and Rebalance Day
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid parental leave and fertility support
• Training, learning and professional development programs
• Camp Praytell
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)