Director, Public Relations

Description

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

1. Create and manage The IRONMAN Group North America Communication and PR strategy to maximize brand presence across business and endemic platforms.

2. Secure, develop and maintain business and endemic media relationships for The IRONMAN Group North America region.

3. Oversee North American event communications, including local market outreach, positive promotion of the events, onsite support/logistics, and media credentialing practices and policies

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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. 

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Find and research compelling human-interest stories to advocate through various mediums

10. Collaborate with the global marketing, social, digital, and content teams to amplify coverage and cross company storytelling

11. Participate in brainstorming and strategy sessions on brands and new program development

12. 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.

13. Write and edit press releases, media kits, fact sheets, public relations materials, and other brand related written materials

14. 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

15. Create media guide including writing and editing of content, research and updating statistical and historical information, selection of photos and design/layout 

16. 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.

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