Media & Community Relations Manager

PWHL; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

PWHL in San Jose is seeking a Media & Community Relations Manager to lead local media relations and drive community engagement for the San Jose market as we launch professional women’s hockey there. The role reports to the Team Director, Business Operations and collaborates with the League’s Communications and External Affairs teams to shape storytelling and strategy.

The position focuses on establishing the team’s voice, presence, and community footprint, coordinating interviews, media access,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years working in sports media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, media, sports management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in media and public relations, including media pitching, relationship building, press operations, and handling sensitive or high‑profile communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office programs.
• This position is based in the United States. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. The PWHL does not provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute local media and community relations strategies aligned with PWHL communications objectives and League standards.
• Serve as the primary media contact for PWHL San Jose, cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with local print, digital, radio, and television media to expand coverage and brand visibility in the San Jose market.
• Create and manage strategic messaging and storytelling, including player features, press releases, game notes, and postgame summaries.
• Arrange and coordinate in‑person, virtual, and phone interviews as needed for team personnel and players, facilitating effective communication with media representatives.
• Coordinate media access and coverage for practices, home games, and team events, including media accreditation, interview scheduling, and on‑site media operations.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, and content teams to deliver high‑quality media assets that support communications and marketing objectives.
• Lead community engagement initiatives, including media appearances, community events, theme nights, and the team’s charitable donation program.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the team, League, and local San Jose media landscape while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism across all communications activities.

Skills

Media relations

Verbal communication

Written communication

Relationship building

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, media, sports management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League delivers world-class competition and fosters meaningful connections with fans and communities through operational excellence, purposeful partnerships, and a focus on long‑term sustainability. We are dedicated to cultivating a workplace and league culture rooted in integrity, innovation, and inclusion — on and off the ice.

Position Summary

The Media & Community Relations Manager serves as the primary lead for all media relations and community engagement efforts for PWHL San Jose. Reporting to the Team Director, Business Operations and working closely with the League’s Communications and External Affairs team, this role drives storytelling, communications strategy, and relationship building to grow the San Jose market while ensuring alignment with PWHL standards. This is a foundational role in establishing the team’s voice, presence, and community footprint as we launch professional women’s hockey in San Jose. This posting is for a newly created position.

The pay range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000 USD annually.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute local media and community relations strategies aligned with PWHL communications objectives and League standards.
• Serve as the primary media contact for PWHL San Jose, cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with local print, digital, radio, and television media to expand coverage and brand visibility in the San Jose market.
• Create and manage strategic messaging and storytelling, including player features, press releases, game notes, and postgame summaries.
• Arrange and coordinate in‑person, virtual, and phone interviews as needed for team personnel and players, facilitating effective communication with media representatives.
• Coordinate media access and coverage for practices, home games, and team events, including media accreditation, interview scheduling, and on‑site media operations.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, and content teams to deliver high‑quality media assets that support communications and marketing objectives.
• Lead community engagement initiatives, including media appearances, community events, theme nights, and the team’s charitable donation program.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the team, League, and local San Jose media landscape while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism across all communications activities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years working in sports media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, media, sports management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in media and public relations, including media pitching, relationship building, press operations, and handling sensitive or high‑profile communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office programs.
• This position is based in the United States. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. The PWHL does not provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the sports and entertainment industry.
• Existing relationships with San Jose / Bay Area media outlets, reporters, and editors.
• Strong knowledge of hockey, including the game’s structure, terminology, and culture, with the ability to apply that knowledge to media strategy and storytelling.
• Experience supporting a launch market, expansion team, or new brand introduction.

Flexibility & Travel

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and non‑traditional hours as required by the game and event schedule. Ability to be on‑site at all home games and events, frequent attendance at practices and other activities in the San Jose market, as well as team travel to away games and events (via bus and air) is required.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or Veteran status, or any other protected class. A background check will be conducted once a successful candidate is identified.