Manager, Digital Marketing & Pr

Description

The Public Relations & Digital Media Manager will be primarily responsible for the creation and execution of the Springfield Cardinals digital media and public relations initiatives, including but not limited to being the primary administrator for team social media accounts and SpringfieldCardinals.com, creation of digital strategy and content across platforms, management of digital advertising placement and budget, production of press releases, promotional e-blasts and Digital Marketing campaigns, and management of press box staff. The Public Relations & Digital Media Manager is also responsible for managing and resolving the team's online customer service initiatives, while providing corporate sales support, community relations support and more. The Public Relations & Digital Media Manager will also serve as the primary liaison for the media, responsible for proactively engaging the local media through the creation of story ideas and content to grow coverage of the organization. As part of such a public-facing role, the Public Relations & Digital Media Manager is expected to act in a professional manner at all times and be a consummate representative of the Springfield Cardinals at the ballpark and in the community.

Essential Responsibilities

• Social Media Management and Development -- Primary administrator of team social media accounts and digital presence, brainstorming and developing strategies and campaigns, as well as creating the content him/herself, with a constant goal on continuously growing the Springfield Cardinals online identity and impact. Focus on fan engagement, increasing ticket sales through campaigns, creation of elements that can be sponsored and facilitating online customer service, an increasingly critical means of communicating with fans. This role is expected to stay current with changing social media platforms and trends, with the knowledge of how to best utilize the platforms for optimal content performance. This role will also be responsible for analyzing content and account performance, and fulfilling subsequent reporting duties.
• Website Management/ Press Releases/ E-Blasts -- Primary administrator of SpringfieldCardinals.com, responsible for strategic development and maintenance of website to maximize online ticket sales and promotional opportunities, with a constant goal of online revenue generation. Continue to manage and improve all team means of communication to better reach and inform fans/media about promotions, ticket options, baseball-related stories, etc., all with the goal of ultimately increasing fan engagement, media participation and revenue.
• Serve as primary liaison for local media -- In addition to communicating with the media through press releases, constantly work to proactively engage the media with team news, promotional news, storylines, community impact and more. Instead of inviting the media to come to us, work to bring the Springfield Cardinals to them, accomplished through developing relationships with the media, creating content for them to utilize and facilitating team access.
• Serve as primary press box manager -- Primary manager of press box staff, including hiring, scheduling and training MiLB Gameday Stat stringers, official scorers, pitch clock operators, linescore operators and Trackman operators. Also ensure the press box is clean, presentable and orderly while making sure the media has everything they need during the game. Responsible for helping resolve scoring/box score questions and issues as they arise. Included in this is being in charge of team digital content and its appropriate utilization by the media.
• Assist with team-related gameday duties -- Make sure that the coaching staffs, teams, fans and media have all they need in terms of production of stat packets, rosters, lineups, season ticket holder packets and more. Also responsible for managing the team photographer and team photo database, ensuring events are photographed and documented at the expected level of quality and consistency.
• Corporate Sales Support - Assist the corporate sales team with creation of online/digital options and campaigns to pitch to prospects. Also as the primary manager of team's photo database, assist with Proof of Performance efforts and ensuring documentation of sponsorship execution, which includes helping create proposals and POP presentations.
• Community Relations Support - Assist in creating team community relations initiatives as well as the execution and promotion of such events. Also assist in identifying area community events that would be beneficial for the team to be involved with while helping execute and promote that involvement.
• Other general Front Office duties - Includes helping with special events, set-up/tear down for events, pulling tarp when needed and all other general duties involved with working in a Minor League Front Office

Qualifications

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge with the logistics of baseball including rules, scoring, terminology and more
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong knowledge of current social media trends, specifically with sports
• Experience creating digital content for social media platforms, website and other online team marketing initiatives
• Experience managing an advertising budget and creating/executing a digital advertising strategy
• Experience with Forge website content manager
• Experience utilizing social media content platforms and scheduling tools
• Experience utilizing analytics and reporting tools for social and digital media and advertising
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of photography/video equipment and editing equipment

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field; or combination of years of experience and education.
• 3+ years of experience administering social media accounts and social media marketing in sports
• 3+ years of experience developing digital and social media advertising strategies in sports
• 3+ years of digital content creation tailored to different platforms
• 3+ years of experience communicating with media outlets
• 3+ years of experience in sports media and story creation
• 3+ years of experience in website management and development
• 3+ years of experience writing press releases, preparing press/media kits, verifying media requests and supplying appropriate credentials, and coordinating interviews with team and office personnel