The Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Rowdies seek an individual to lead new media initiatives. In this newly created position, the right candidate will provide leadership and strategy to all relevant communications plans and oversee the organization’s existing social media initiatives, as well as exploration of new media opportunities. This person reports directly to the VP, Media and Communications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and implement strategic communication plans with an emphasis on digital assets, social media and search engines
• Monitor social media trends, including developments in design, applications, strategy and innovation to stay relevant and effective
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Creative teams on various digital initiatives
• Track key performance metrics to maximize results and report progress to management
• Ensure organizational initiatives and strategic communications are the basis of digital content, email correspondence and all fan-facing programming
• Identify new opportunities to engage fans and extend branding on social media and in new digital spaces
• Lead and manage social media team, working to train, motivate and promote staff members’ professional development
• Work with the Creative team to develop unique digital artwork as part of strategic communications plans for various organization-wide initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships across Major League Baseball and the Commissioner’s Office, among Tampa Bay sports franchises and with key digital vendors locally and nationally
• Act as liaison to the Broadcasting team on organizational messaging and ancillary content
• Create and implement digital strategy to help grow TV and radio audiences and enhance related social media content
• Conceptualize content for distribution throughout the Rays and Rowdies official digital and social channels, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the team’s official website
• Collaborate with Baseball Communications department to elevate sports-side social media content
• Represent the Rays and Rowdies at appropriate functions and/or community events

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• Four or more years of experience executing media campaigns, crisis management, building relationships with media and working with executives
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential information professionally, involving only those who need to be involved or informed
• Demonstrated understanding of social media platforms, their unique audiences and how to use them to maximize communications, branding and marketing efforts
• Exceptional time management skills and interpersonal relations
• In-depth knowledge of analytics software, content management systems and SEO tools
• Previous management experience