Position Summary:  The Integrated Communications Manager is responsible for managing all Lakers strategic communications and media relations beyond the day-to-day games and basketball business, working to elevate the Lakers brand and business beyond the court. This role leads the development and implementation of communications plans across sports, news, business and lifestyle media to support seasonal marketing initiatives, corporate partnerships and community programs. Additionally, this role supports game day activity, working hand-in-hand with the media relations team to support seamless and effective game day media activities. 

·       Develop and implement strategic communications plans to support corporate partnership announcements, partner activities, community programs and community events including key programs like In the Paint, Junior Lakers, Camp Lakers, Season of Giving, Hoops for Troops and more  

·       Develop and implement strategic communications plans to support milestone moments across the season and off season, including uniform launches, Opening Night, Christmas Day, MLK Day, NBA All-Star, Lakers Day, Kobe day, Get out the Vote and other theme nights

·       Attend team community events to support organizational initiatives, providing on-site support for player and staff media engagement 

·       Work alongside media relations team to plan and implement internal and external business initiatives for Lakers’ preseason Marketing Day and Media Day 

·       Build and maintain relationships with local and national sports, news and lifestyle media to support the Lakers organization beyond the court 

·       Pitch news announcements, lifestyle features, community events and business profiles for local and national news coverage

·       Manage and brief media onsite at events to drive editorial coverage, coordinating interviews, creating visuals and overseeing photo ops

·       Write and edit clear and concise engaging press releases, media advisories, captions and backgrounders

·       Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to identify and develop content plans to maximize reach across platforms, extending regular marketing content to editorial platforms 

·       Support the full Lakers communications team on home game-night responsibilities

·       Support executive appearances and speaking engagements 

·       Miscellaneous other tasks and special projects may be assigned as needed 

Education (Required/Preferred): Bachelor’s degree (required)

Previous experience: A minimum of four years (4) of experience working in media relations, communications or a related field

   

·       Adobe Creative Suite

·       InDesign and the ability to create and publish interactive online documents

·       Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint & Windows)

·       Critical understanding of media relations, follower of pop culture and knowledgeable in what drives news coverage and how to engage journalists  

·       Proven experience with integrated communications programs, aligning with marketing for maximum impact

·       Proven experience pitching and securing editorial stories with news, business and lifestyle media 

·       Strong relationships with local, regional and national media 

·       Ability to create thoughtful stories for both short-term news and long-term narratives 

·       Experience creating visuals, photos, infographics and more for editorial 

·       Excellent writing skills with a detail eye for grammar, spelling, and AP style

·       Ability to solve problems creatively and independently 

·       Strong interpersonal skills and ability to successfully collaborate across departments and with partners 

·       Solid client relationship skills, including experience navigating multi-stakeholder programs

·       Demonstrated ability to present the utmost professionalism and highest ethical code

·       Basketball comprehension and knowledge of the Los Angeles Lakers team and history 

·       Knowledge of the LA market 

 

Physical Demands: Significant amount of walking day-to-day on the job

Location: El Segundo (UCLA Health Training Center), downtown Los Angeles (Crypto.Com Arena for Lakers home games)

Travel: Partner events; potential for select road game throughout the NBA season, other occasional events

The pay range for this role is $65,000 to $75,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience and certifications