Job Description
WHO YOU’LL BE WORKING FOR:
In 2021, England will host the largest team sporting event in the world that year – the Rugby League World Cup, which will be the biggest and best ever in its history that dates back to 1954 when the tournament began.
32 competing nations in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions will play in 61 matches across 21 venues, including St James’ Park, Elland Road, Anfield, Emirates Stadium, M&S Bank Arena and Old Trafford. The most inclusive sport played in the biggest venues across the country.
We are on a mission to create inspirational moments that excite,engage and leave a long-lasting legacy. Led by our values of being Bold & Brave, World Class, Authentic and Inclusive, we are looking for the best talent to join our team.
WHAT IT’S LIKE IN OUR TEAM:
We have a ‘start-up’ culture with a ‘high bar’ mentality to everything we do – we need to ensure that all touch points of the tournament are world class.
We require innovators and have to create an environment where all our teammates flourish.
We have a leader-leader culture (not followers), with each teammate taking responsibility and accountability for their actions and results to move the business forward – we want people with a glass half full mindset!
We move at pace and have plenty to achieve in the next two years, so need people who are hungry to use their skills and experience but also have a desire to learn more.
With a great choice of rewards and training, we provide a progressive culture to learn and develop your
career.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
You’ll be responsible for designing, delivering and implementing the communications strategy and plan that supports us in achieving our organisational goals which include selling 750,000 tickets over the three tournaments.
With a strategic mind, you’ll deliver effective communication campaigns that’ll have a positive impact. As part of this, you’ll develop news stories, briefings, communications campaigns, PR activations and events. As well as undertaking media management and seeking quality interview opportunities for the senior executive.
You’ll need to be aware of the media and political environment, so you can spot reputational risks and opportunities. Proactive and forward thinking, you’ll be confident at building relationships with teammates, external stakeholders and the media.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:
• Leading the communications and PR strategy and plan in support of the delivery of tournament objectives including making RLWC2021 the most attended and viewed Rugby League World Cup ever.
• Producing compelling external communications campaigns and activations to increase the profile and visibility of the tournament.
• Building relationships within Rugby League, sport and national/regional media, in order to reach relevant audiences through high-quality coverage in print, broadcast and online.
• Media monitoring to assess the impact of communications activities or identify opportunities and risks.
• Briefing of spokespeople for both reactive and proactive media opportunities.
• Ensuring crisis communication protocols and plans are in place to anticipate and address incidents.
• Leading a small team of communications executives/interns, freelancers and volunteers.
• Supporting the delivery of media operations during tournament time.
• Briefing and working with third party agencies to produce communications campaigns and PR activity that deliver best value and high impact in line with the overarching creative approach.
• Creating guidelines and workflows that ensure all work is delivered efficiently and to the highest standard.
• Educating and upskilling teammates in emergent communications and PR trends and audience insight.
• Assume additional duties as required, and actively contribute to RLWC2021 values.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Educated to degree level, professional certification, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of using a range of storytelling techniques to attract and grow new audiences.
• Ability to interpret data and insight to inform the development of effective communications and PR.
• Understanding of how to use communications and media engagement to drive revenue and commercial return.
• Have established and demonstrable relationships with key domestic and national journalists or the ability to establish relationships quickly.
• Demonstratable influencing skills with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Enjoys multi-tasking, working in a fast-paced environment, and being part of a small and agile team.
• Excellent communicator capable of leading a team of in-house, freelance and volunteer team members.
• Well-organised with the ability to deliver timely solutions.
• Strong copywriting and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail.
• Interest in trends across the communications, PR, media and broadcast landscape.
• Good understanding of managing communications and media in a sports environment would be helpful, but not required.
The successful candidate with report into the Head of Digital.
The closing date for applications is 13th March 2020.
Interviews will be held week commencing 30th March 2020.
The Rugby League World Cup 2021 is committed to equality through diversity.
If appointed you will need to provide us with a copy of your Passport and if relevant, a work permit to show you have the right to work in the UK. Alternatively you would need Tier 2 Sponsorship to be able to work for us.
How to apply
To apply please send an email with “Communications and PR Lead” in the title, including a covering letter of why you think you’re suitable for the role and an overview of your experience via a CV – including links to examples of campaigns or activations you have been involved in delivering. Contact: Darcy Shea, Business Lead darcy.shea@rlwc2021.com