Senior Manager, Media Relations

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Manager, Media Relations

Department: Communications

Reports to: Director, Communications

Manages: South Bay Lakers Media Relations Coordinator, 11-person Statistician team

Position Summary: The Senior Manager of Media Relations oversees all Lakers media relations initiatives throughout the NBA season and offseason. This position is responsible for fostering long-term, positive and mutually beneficial relationships with local, national and international press. This role manages all day-to-day media engagement and journalist inquiries including seamless operations of game day media activities. This position will travel with the team for select road games throughout the season. Additionally, this role provides oversight and guidance for all South Bay Lakers media relations, working hand-in-hand with the South Bay Lakers media relations coordinator.

Essential Functions (Duties & Responsibilities**):
• Oversee, build and foster media relationships with Los Angeles-based and national media regularly interested in covering the Los Angeles Lakers across the full NBA season and throughout the offseason
• Provide premium media relations service to team beat writers and the Lakers' regional broadcast partner Spectrum Sportsnet
• Manage the full production of home game media relations game-night responsibilities, including credentialing, seating and photo charts
• Oversee the arena press room for home games, welcoming press, managing inquiries, understanding coverage and providing information including game notes and injury updates, working side-by-side with the Director of Communications
• Support national broadcast requests and requirements for all home and away games
• Service media with regular communication regarding gameday credentialing, access, league rules and team rules
• Working with marketing and basketball operations, develop integrated plans and manage seamless execution of team media events and media opportunities, including press conferences, draft workouts, Draft Night, Summer League, Media Day and Marketing Day
• Write and edit clear and concise engaging press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, player bios and executive bios
• Assist in distributing roster and injury updates/submissions, via the NBA portal and X (Twitter)
• Assist with set up and coordination of player and coaches interviews, working side-by-side with basketball operations and the broader communications team
• Oversee production of preseason, regular season and postseason media guides
• Manage all weekly and monthly NBA nominations for Los Angeles Lakers players and coaches, driving recognition for key performances
• Travel for select road games, serving as a liaison for media and carrying out team obligations for official national and regional broadcast partners
• Work with analytics team to monitor internal (players and staff) and external (media and influencers) social media for content flags or incorrect information to ensure the ongoing health of the organization
• Serve as the primary liaison for Lakers.com to ensure news and information is distributed on own channels in a timely and efficient manner
• Assist in hiring of seasonal interns
• Miscellaneous other tasks and special projects may be assigned as needed
**Responsibilities subject to change based on organizational needs and direction from management.

Education (Required/Preferred): Bachelor's degree (required)

Previous experience: A minimum of seven years (7) of experience working in sports media relations, communications or a related field

Technology Capabilities:
• Adobe Creative Suite
• InDesign and the ability to create and publish interactive online documents
• Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint & Windows)

Knowledge, skills, abilities:
• Critical understanding of media relations, what drives news coverage and engaging journalists
• Ability to operate seamlessly at the speed of the 24-hr news cycle with rapid response communication
• Proven experience with integrated communications programs, aligning with marketing for maximum impact
• Strong relationships with local, regional and national media, with a preference for sports media relationships
• Ability to create thoughtful stories for both short-term news updates and long-term narratives
• Exceptional writing skills with a detail eye for grammar, spelling, and AP style
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with all levels within the team, NBA and partners
• Exceptional client relationship skills, including experience navigating multi-stakeholder programs
• Outstanding organizational and leadership skills
• Exceptional trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to make tough, quality decisions in a fast-paced and high-profile environment
• Demonstrated ability to present the utmost professionalism and highest ethical code
• Previous experience working with high-profile individuals
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the professional sports landscape, operation cycles and key events
• Basketball comprehension and knowledge of the Los Angeles Lakers team and history

Physical Demands: Significant amount of walking day-to-day on the job

Location: El Segundo (UCLA Health & Training Center), downtown Los Angeles (Crypto.Com Arena for Lakers home games), travel for away games and other occasional off-site events

Travel: Select road game throughout the NBA season

The pay range for this role is $80,000 to $95,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience and certifications

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.

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Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d2ezb7-18-216-103-219-42 in your application.