US Ski & Snowboard Seeks Alpine Communications Manager

Photo courtesy of USST

CLASSIFICATION: Year-round; Full-time
FLSA: Exempt 
REPORTS TO: Director of Marketing & Communications
LOCATION: Park City, Utah 
TRAVEL: 60% 
SALARY: $50k-$55k

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is seeking an Alpine Communications Manager. This is a full-time, beneficial position eligible for our full benefits package, including medical insurance and retirement. For inquiries or help with your application, please email [email protected].

ABOUT US
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to lead, encourage and support athletes in achieving excellence and making the United States of America the Best in the World in Olympic skiing and snowboarding. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion by creating an environment in which diversity is valued, equity is striven for and inclusion is embraced. 

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE: 
The Alpine Communications Manager is responsible for serving as the liaison between U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes and the public, while growing awareness of athletes and the team. A successful Alpine Comms Manager not only expands awareness, but has a positive impact on athletic performance through their athlete management skills. The position reports to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Marketing & Communications Director

POSITION SUMMARY
Athlete Management

• Manage high-pressure environments, such as finish areas and press conferences.
• Ensure clear communication from the U.S. Ski & Snowboard management team to athletes/staff and vice-versa. 
• Conduct all work in an atmosphere conducive to athletic excellence.

Corporate Communications

• Develop strategic messages for athletes and team.
• Assist athletes in brand building, self-promotion and increasing personal fan base.
• Educate athletes and staff with skills that support their traditional media, social media and public interaction.

Content Production

• Develop news information content for each major alpine event including Olympics, World Championships, World Cup and U.S. Championships level, along with selected NorAm and Europa Cup (plus other events on occasion). 
• Create content for social media and distributable news content.
• Work with content creators (social media manager, videographers, photographers, photo services) to curate and deliver content on social platforms.
• Build and maintain athlete biographies throughout the season with complete updates performed each March/April.
• Manage athlete biography information for FIS and broadcasters.

Event Coordination

• Work with events department to coordinate athletes and requests at domestic World Cups.
• Help to organize an alpine-specific media day at Copper Mountain in the fall prior to World Cup season with athletes, invited media and owned media.

Traditional and Digital Media

• Establish and maintain a global network of media contacts with a focus on targeting areas important to telling U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s story.
• Work with athletes and staff to be proactive in interacting strategically with the media.
• Work with the media and event organizers on the athletes’ and team’s behalf including distribution of athlete and staff comments, information alerts, audio, photography and video as appropriate to help tell the story.
• Serve as a liaison between athletes/staff and news media including management of mixed zones and other media areas, as well as other pre-race and post-race opportunities with both media on-site and off-site.
• Provide support for television broadcasters including host broadcaster, key networks and U.S. Ski & Snowboard production.

Partner & Donor Management

• Work with athletes and alpine staff to facilitate sponsor and donor obligations, and work with athletes on forging stronger partnerships with both.  
• Strategize with U.S. Ski & Snowboard commercial partnership teams to create initiatives that will grow awareness within the realm of our partnerships. 
• Manage exposure of partner brands in public areas including finish area, awards podium, photo shoots, etc.
• Provide support for U.S. Ski & Snowboard commercial partner and foundation projects.

 RESPONSIBLE TO
The position formally reports to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Marketing & Communications Director. While on-site with teams, the position works closely with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Director and the respective alpine team head coaches. The Alpine Comms Manager will integrate into team programs, attend team meetings and serve as a resource for athletes to assist in managing positive media opportunities.

COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE  

• Required
  • Passion and engagement in alpine skiing, preferably with a background as an alpine ski racer and/or a coach of U.S. Ski & Snowboard club programs.
  • Education in Marketing, PR/Communications, English, Advertising, Business or related fields
  • Proactive, organized, detail-oriented—able to work on tight deadlines and in a live environment
  • Exemplary organizational skills 
  • Ability to build strong relationships and partnerships with athletes, support staff, and media entities 
  • Leadership, communication and strong relationship building skills to effectively work between departments and unite organization and athletes
  • Proven writing background 
  • Positive, upbeat presence with others, including both coworkers and outside contacts
  • Self-motivated, easily adaptable, passionate, creative and curious
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment; available for travel and working non-traditional hours
• Preferred
  • Have a solid understanding of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team, athletes, and staff
  • Knowledgeable in strategic social media communications 

U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD EEO STATEMENT

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

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