Head of Communications & Public Relations

Exeter Chiefs; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Exeter Rugby Club seeks a Head of Communications & Public Relations to lead all internal and external communications, media relations and content output for Exeter Chiefs and Sandy Park venues. You will shape the Club’s narrative, oversee matchday and digital communications, manage media relationships, and ensure messaging reflects our rugby heritage and values.

This role deputises for the Commercial Director, guiding the Commercial Team and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including press and editorial writing.
• Proven experience managing media relations and social media channels.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure in live, fast-paced environments.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working within professional sport or rugby union.
• Degree in communications, journalism or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead all media relations for the Club across men’s, women’s, academy and community rugby.
• Act as, or manage, the Press Officer function for home fixtures and provide support at away fixtures when required.
• Produce press releases, match reports, news stories and official statements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with journalists, broadcasters, leagues and governing bodies.
• Provide media training to all squads, coaches and staff as required, including academy.
• Lead matchday content delivery including previews, live updates, interviews and post-match coverage.
• Develop compelling storytelling around players, teams, community initiatives and partners.
• Line manage the Media/Sportswriter.
• Ensure all content meets high editorial, creative and brand standards.
• Ensure clear and consistent communications across internal departments.
• Support partnership and sponsor communications through content, media exposure and storytelling.
• Protect and enhance the Club’s reputation through accurate, timely and values-led communications.

Skills

Media relations

Content storytelling

Press writing

Media training

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in communications/journalism

Job description

Exeter Rugby Club is one of the most recognisable names in English rugby, known for its competitive success, strong values and deep community connections. Clear, compelling and consistent communications are central to protecting the Club’s reputation and strengthening relationships with supporters, media, partners and governing bodies.

The Head of Communications & Public Relations will lead all internal and external communications, media relations and content output for Exeter Chiefs and Sandy Park conferencing & banqueting Centre. The role is responsible for shaping the Club’s narrative, overseeing matchday and digital communications, managing media relationships and ensuring all messaging reflects the Club’s values, ambitions and rugby heritage.

This role will deputise for the Commercial Director as required, providing leadership continuity across the department. In this capacity, the postholder will support and guide other Commercial Team Managers, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, maintaining high operational standards, and enabling effective decision‐making during periods of absence.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations & Press Office

• Lead all media relations for the Club across men’s, women’s, academy and community rugby.
• Act as, or manage, the Press Officer function for home fixtures and provide support at away fixtures when required.
• Produce press releases, match reports, news stories and official statements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with journalists, broadcasters, leagues and governing
• Provide media training to all squads, coaches and staff as required, including academy.

Content & Storytelling

• Lead matchday content delivery including previews, live updates, interviews and post-match coverage.
• Develop compelling storytelling around players, teams, community initiatives and partners.

Creative & Digital Content Oversight

• Line manage the Media/Sportswriter.
• Ensure all content meets high editorial, creative and brand standards.

Internal & Stakeholder Communications

• Ensure clear and consistent communications across internal departments.
• Support partnership and sponsor communications through content, media exposure and storytelling.
• Protect and enhance the Club’s reputation through accurate, timely and values-led communications.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including press and editorial writing.
• Proven experience managing media relations and social media channels.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure in live, fast-paced environments.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working within professional sport or rugby union.
• Degree in communications, journalism or a related discipline.
• Passion for rugby, storytelling and supporter engagement.
• Calm, professional and credible when dealing with media and stakeholders.
• Proactive, resilient and adaptable.
• Strong collaborator with excellent relationship-building skills.

Working Pattern

• Matchday and event attendance required, including evenings and weekends.
• Flexibility during peak rugby periods and major Club events.
• Ability to represent Exeter Rugby Club professionally with media, partners and supporters.