Manager, Editorial

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players in the world. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially, with 2024 attendance topping 2 million fans for the first time- the third straight year the league surpassed 1 million in total attendance. Viewership across all broadcast media partners - Amazon, CBS, ESPN and Scripps - was up 285% year over year, and team valuations continue to soar. This growth underscores the league's expanding fan base and growing presence in both the sports media landscape and in pop culture. The future of the NWSL has never looked brighter.

The PR and Communications department, part of the league's Marketing and Commercial Organization, is looking for a Manager of Editorial. This newly created job plays an important role in the NWSL's success to scale and strengthen fan engagement through smart, strategic communications and storytelling.

Position Description: Reporting directly to the VP of PR and Communications, this position will craft and create narratives about our league, our teams, and our players.  The person in this role will collaborate closely across various functions to ideate stories that will resonate across audiences including soccer fans, sports fans, and the overall consumer lifestyle space.  Excellent writing skills are a must, as this person will script content and storytelling that will be deployed across numerous channels, including the league's and players social platforms.  They will understand how to create a compelling story for all target audiences, and how to get that story distributed across owned and earned editorial.  They will be responsible for conducting research and interviews and will stay on top of all domestic and global women's league and player news, both on and off the pitch. 

Specifically, we are looking for a writer with a passion for women's sports, a keen eye for identifying compelling story angles, a collaborative attitude, and the ability to think creatively and receive and action feedback from internal stakeholders. Ability to work under tight deadlines and a positive attitude are musts.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Create an always-on storytelling strategy that reinforces the NWSL's position as the home of the world's best soccer players. 
• Generate and own the NWSL editorial calendar used to align weekly storylines with the clubs, sponsors, and media partners.
• Write content that can be used across NWSL owned channels that is timely and compelling. 
• Ensure a consistent tone and voice for how we speak about the league and our players. 
• Collaborate closely with partners across the marketing, commercial and executive teams to support their needs for broadcast partners, licensees, and new business partnerships and appearances.
• Foster strong relationships with counterparts at our clubs to align on priority stories and how to share those narratives. 
• Work in close partnership with the rest of the PR team to execute a comprehensive plan to reinforce the NWSL's position as a modern entertainment, sports and commercial leader with the best players in the world. 
• Work closely with cross functional teams on media plans for all tentpole league events. (Challenge Cup, Kickoff, Pride, Championship, etc.)   

Minimum Qualifications

• You have +6 years of demonstrated hands-on experience in sports and/or consumer PR.
• You have created strong partnerships with internal and external PR teams.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with cross functional partners.
• You're genuinely excited about the sport of soccer, the growth of women's sports and feel energized at the thought of bringing the NWSL brand to life across traditional and digital media, and new storytelling platforms.
• You bring enthusiasm and positivity into the workplace.

Desired Qualifications

• Influence leadership by establishing credibility, trust, and rapport throughout the organization.
• Demonstrated decision making and solution-oriented problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communications skills and a positive attitude are a must.
• Able to manage multiple simultaneous projects and proactively set expectations.
• Mission-driven and passionate in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

What we offer:

• An incredible inclusive culture that is committed to diversity.
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Mental health benefits for employees and dependents.
• Short and Long-term disability and life insurance paid by the company.
• Unlimited paid time off, sick days and end of the year office closure.
• 401k with employer match, safe harbor contributions from the company in addition to the employer match.
• Voluntary pet insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule.

NWSL observes a hybrid work schedule of three working days in the physical office and two remote working days. No relocation assistance will be provided. No relocation assistance will be provided.

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to

the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.