Strategic Communications Director

Hornets Basketball Brand; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) is seeking a Director of Communications to lead strategic communications and PR across the organization. You will develop compelling narratives, manage media outreach, and collaborate with Marketing, Digital & Social, and Broadcast teams to elevate the Hornets and HSE brands.

You will build and maintain trusted relationships with reporters, craft executive messaging, and drive visibility for business priorities, community initiatives, and fan experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a similar field, ideally within sports or entertainment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications and public relations plans that support HSE's key business priorities and strengthen visibility and reputation.
• Lead day-to-day corporate communications and earned media efforts to generate positive coverage of the organization.
• Proactively identify, develop and pitch compelling stories involving HSE's people, programs, partnerships, facilities, community efforts, fan experiences and business initiatives.
• Develop creative PR strategies and storytelling opportunities to reach new audiences and break through the sports news cycle.
• Expand earned media presence beyond traditional sports coverage by engaging business, entertainment, lifestyle, culture, community, and other media.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and national reporters and media contacts to increase awareness and opportunities.
• Prepare executives for media interviews and public appearances with briefing materials and talking points.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Digital & Social Media, Broadcast and other teams to coordinate initiatives across channels.
• Oversee media monitoring, coverage recaps, and impact analysis of earned media.
• Support communications strategies for partnerships, ticket sales, marketing, and retail initiatives.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Presentation skills

Media relations

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Public speaking

Project management

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Job description

The Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) is seeking a Director of Communications to lead strategic communications and PR across the organization. You will develop compelling narratives, manage media outreach, and collaborate with Marketing, Digital & Social, and Broadcast teams to elevate the Hornets and HSE brands.

You will build and maintain trusted relationships with reporters, craft executive messaging, and drive visibility for business priorities, community initiatives, and fan experiences.