Basketball Communications Coordinator

Become a part of the team behind the team.  

As employees of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter, we do more than basketball. We bring people together to create extraordinary moments and lasting memories through the power of sports and entertainment. We are pioneers and innovators. We look for people who push boundaries, who dream, who are committed to inclusivity – who want to contribute to Rip City!  

As our Basketball Communications Coordinator, you will play a vital role in our Communications Department, reporting directly to the Director of Basketball Communications. In this dynamic position, you will support the department by writing and distributing press materials, assisting with game day and special event preparations, conducting research, and handling administrative duties. This role also offers the opportunity to travel occasionally to support the team and media engagements.

This role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a professional demeanor. You will be instrumental in ensuring that our communications efforts are seamlessly executed and that our media strategy is effectively supported.

DAY-TO-DAY:

• Press and Media Support: Assist in writing and disseminating press releases, media advisories, and other communications as directed. Monitor media coverage and social media platforms, creating press clippings for internal use and event recaps.
• Media Relations: Maintain and update media lists, and coordinate media events by scheduling, preparing timelines, and fulfilling media requests.
• Game-Day Duties: Manage game-day press operations, including credential approval, creation of press materials, and coordination of pregame and postgame materials for media distribution. Oversee media hospitality zones and support visiting team PR staff.
• Practice and Off-Day Duties: Attend team-sanctioned practices to assist with post-practice and post-shootaround media availabilities.
• Statistical Management: Gather and maintain statistical information, including game-by-game data and player history, to support the organization’s media strategy. Contribute to the upkeep of Game Notes and manage Hoops OMG.
• Administrative Support: Track upcoming projects, deadlines, awards, and milestones, and assist in press room operations during home games.
• Occasional Travel: This role may require some travel to support the team, media engagements, and external communications. Which may include overnight stays and weekend trips as needed.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU:

• Have a degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Sports Management, or a related field.
• Possess 2-3 years of experience in sports communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Possess a deep knowledge of basketball, including NBA and G League operations, and a passion for sports communication.
• Demonstrate strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Exhibit excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and can work independently or in a team setting.
• Have strong leadership, teamwork, and relationship-building skills.
• Are highly organized, proactive, and able to maintain confidentiality and professionalism, especially when working with players, coaches, and basketball operations personnel.
• Are detail-oriented, particularly under deadline pressure, and capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Have extensive media contacts and a proven ability to place stories, with the ability to establish effective working relationships with various media and community contacts (such as newspapers, TV, radio, social media, etc.)
• Are proficient in using social media platforms for professional communications and familiar with content management systems and media monitoring tools.
• Have experience working with media and press, including creating and managing media materials.
• Are comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support game-day operations and events.
• Display excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Rip City, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

PERKS: 

We invest in our employees inside and outside of work. Our benefits package for full-time teammates includes:

-          Compensation: $29 hourly

-          Relocation Assistance (if applicable)

-          Competitive Healthcare Coverage

-          Retirement Plan

-          Paid Maternal & Parental Leave

-          Flexible Time Off (3 weeks + 11 holidays)

-          Wellness Perks

-          Tuition Reimbursement

-          Free Parking + Discounted Mass Transit Passes

-          Discounted & Complimentary Tickets

-          Ongoing Learning & Development

Offers of employment are conditional upon the successful results of an individual background check. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and review results on an individual basis.

The Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter embraces diversity and inclusion. We celebrate individual expression and uniqueness on our campus. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We are committed to hiring individuals that reflect the community we serve without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. We are an equal opportunity employer.  

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.