AddressAbout NYRR
New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people, and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire through running, aiming to empower people of all ages and abilities to improve their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness.
NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City. NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world.
Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org .
At New York Road Runners, we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace by finding the best candidate for the job. We understand that skills come from a variety of different backgrounds. Checking off every single requirement on our job description is not necessary to apply. If you think you are a good fit and have a passion for the work we do, please submit your application. We are eager to learn about your experience and skills! You may be the right candidate for this or other open positions.
New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer
About the Department
The Media & Public Relations team is one of the four public-facing verticals that makes up New York Road Runners’ Public Affairs department—which also includes Government Affairs, Community Engagement and Impact . The Media & Public Relations team proactively develops relationships with media outlets and influencers to drive impactful, qualitative and quantitive press coverage and exposure for NYRR as a New York City-based nonprofit, its mission-driven free youth programs and community initiatives, its 60+ adult and youth events (which includes TCS New York City Marathon, the United Airlines NYC Half and the RBC Brooklyn Half®, while also elevating the organization and its executives as industry leaders.
About the Position
New York Road Runners is seeking a dynamic Head of Media-Public Relations to develop and direct the execution of an overall Public Relations strategy for the nonprofit that scales from the wide-ranging sports business to the highly niche endurance race focused—more than 60 adult and youth events, and organizational announcements/initiatives every year, including the TCS New York City Marathon, the United Airlines New York City Half and the RBC Brooklyn Half. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, the ideal candidate for this role holds a great deal of global brand Public Relations acumen and is passionate about developing strategy to raise brand awareness and drive engagement for the organization, and will have a proven track record working for global sports industry embedded brands. The Head must embody inspirational leadership while directing a team that fluctuates in size seasonally and has core of high executing, industry-leading Public Relations professionals. They must also work collaboratively, seamlessly and positively with fellow Heads of department and staff at all levels within the organization—from senior leadership to seasonal part time/temporary staff to volunteers.
Job Responsibilities (primary and secondary duties):
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
At the direction of and in collaboration with the SVP, Public Affairs, lead New York Road Runners’ Media & Public Relations department and its operations—The successful individual will devise heritage brand Public Relations strategies.
Set the Media & Public Relations strategy for the organization, its more than 60 events/programs and partnerships.
Develop the key organizational messages to maximize positioning and visibility.
Oversee news cycles; guide and communicate strategic direction to partners and senior management.
Forecast and set NYRR’s Public Relations and Media message calendar (annually).
Crisis Management
Work closely with Leadership to manage emergent PR Response to any issues that arise
Keep a pulse on events and initiatives that may elicit a public response and proactively strategize to mitigate any potential PR needs
Influence cross-functionally across all levels of organization.
Work closely with key internal stakeholders to develop and execute dynamic campaigns that drive growth for their target products, programs and offerings
Liaise externally with key media outlets and partners, and direct agencies to ensure successful outcomes.
TEAM LEADERSHIP
Build and empower world-class Communication leaders.
Plan and prioritize all staff resources working across project(s).
Evaluate the overall function and structure for scalability and plan for the individual professional and personal growth of the team
Job Requirements:
Experience:
10+ years of Media-Public Relations / Brand / Crisis / Corporate Communications experience
Experience developing KPI delivering strategic plans
With 5yrs+ experience successfully establishing/elevating/positing global sports industry related brands
Combined agency and in-house preferred
5+ years managing a high-performing Public Relations team with varying levels experience
Demonstrated achievement as a manager, leader, and coach/mentor who fosters growth
Proven ability to manage Public Relations agencies/consultants
Proficiency in communication measurement and reporting, with an ability to tie KPIs to business impact
Demonstrated relationship cultivator and manager with a network of relevant sports industry contacts; proven ability to build relationships and drive media coverage working with global, national, local, hyper-local and niece outlets (e.g. general market, sports et al)
Proven experience forecasting and managing budgets
Additional:
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with celebrities and influencers while ensuring successful brand integration.
Education & Certifications:
- Bachelors’ degree in a related field preferred
Skills and Attributes:
A critical thinker who is highly strategic and analytical; able to make data-driven decisions and establish effective metrics to approach strategy
Outstanding leader with strong people management skills and the ability to successfully motivate and challenge a team of talented and creative people at all levels of the organization
Mission-driven and community minded; embodying humility, collaboration, confidence, transparency, high energy, and passion; role model of NYRR core values
Proactive communicator who keeps leadership informed of plans and progress
Excellent writing/editing skills (e.g. press releases, speeches, op-eds, letters to the editor) with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives
Efficiently multitask while establishing clear priorities, while maintaining a high level of professionalisim and attention to detail and meeting tight deadlines
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment
Other:
Understanding and/or appreciation of running, running audiences and contemporary a plus.
Required to work in-person three major races annually, and weekly races as needed.
Occasional on-call duties to manage emergent PR needs
Salary: 115K
NYRR requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless approved for a medical or religious exemption.
