Senior Director of Basketball Communications, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why Join the Pack?
We understand that to win championships, it starts with the people. We’re all teammates with a united focus on fostering an inclusive winning culture that empowers, values and recognizes each other. Because working together is how we do what’s right for the communities we live, work and play in. It’s how we innovate, learn and grow as individuals and as a group. And it’s how we elevate lives through the power of basketball.

Position Summary/Objective: As the Senior Director of Basketball Communications, Minnesota Timberwolves, this individual will lead all day-to-day media operations for the Timberwolves. The Senior Director of Basketball Communications, Minnesota Timberwolves will oversee two direct reports and be responsible for strategic planning, team content initiatives and execution, managing interview requests for players, coaching staff, and front office personnel, supervising team publications, spearheading league communications, and maintaining relationships with key internal and external stakeholders- including ownership, agents, managers, and team and league constituents- while serving as a liaison between business and basketball operations.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these essential functions:

• Serve as the primary media contact for the Timberwolves, both at home and on the road, managing all inbound media requests and leading proactive external media pitches across print, broadcast, and digital outlets.
• Develop and execute proactive media initiatives to best position the organization for sustained success.
• Conceive and shape compelling storytelling opportunities for players, coaching staff, front office staff, and the organization.
• Oversee all media logistics for practices, shootarounds, and game-day operations.
• Serve as primary media contact at player appearances, fan engagements, and community events.
• Orchestrate press conferences, media events, and PR activations in collaboration with internal stakholders and external partners, driving impactful coverage.
• Manage and supervise all press room operations to deliver best-in-class, efficient, and professional service on game days.
• Direct media credentialing process.
• Assist CCO with editing and proofing all written documentation for internal and external use across the organization.
• Lead media access process during practices, shoot-arounds, and games.
• Assist CCO in managing all local, regional, and national media requests.
• Develop and proactively pitch story ideas incorporating Wolves players, coaches, and basketball staff to various local and national media outlets.
• Serve as lead writer / editor for all external communications, including team press releases.
• Manage and execute the department’s Twitter account.
• Drive player and team initiatives for All-Star and end-of-season awards.
• Work closely with the Community Impact and Family and Player Services teams to coordinate media coverage for events and initiatives.
• Serve as a steward of team and organizational history.
• Executive editor of the Weekly Wire, the company’s weekly HR newsletter.
• Maintain a high-performing team through clear expectations, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Travel to all road games, including preseason, regular season, and postseason.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other:
1. Previous Basketball Communications work strongly recommended.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
3. Computer skills required: experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) is preferred.
4. Able to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
5. Ability to work well on a team and independently.
6. Ability to manage specific processes and tasks in the department under supervision.

Experience: 5+ years of experience required; NBA and/or sports public relations/media relations experience preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations or Communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, etc.:

Supervisory Responsibility, if any: This position does have supervisory responsibility

Compensation:
• The base salary range for this exempt role is $150,000-$187,000. Final offers for this role will be made within the parameters of the salary range provided. Years of experience, skil