Senior Manager, Communications

The Senior Manager, Communications at WSL is primarily responsible for crafting and executing PR strategies around key WSL initiatives, which includes generating press coverage through proactive pitching, developing tailored narratives, and collaborating with leadership teams to support brand and athlete communications.

To qualify for the Senior Manager, Communications position at WSL, candidates should have a minimum of six years of experience in communications or PR, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and demonstrated experience in building relationships with mainstream and B2B media outlets.

Building and maintaining strong media relationships is crucial for the Senior Manager, Communications at WSL. This role focuses significantly on creating connections with quality outlets to ensure impactful coverage of WSL’s events, athletes, and brand initiatives, particularly in the US market.

Successful candidates for the Senior Manager, Communications position at WSL need strong organizational and project management skills, exceptional attention to detail, a deep understanding of the media landscape, and the ability to juggle multiple projects efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

The Senior Manager, Communications at WSL will work in a hybrid environment, spending three days in the office located in El Segundo, California, while enjoying the flexibility to work remotely on other days, which fosters a balance between collaboration and independent productivity.

To effectively answer this question, you should provide specific examples of past PR campaigns you've managed, detailing your approach to strategy development, execution, and the results achieved, showcasing your ability to drive brand awareness.

When answering this question, emphasize your networking strategies, willingness to engage with journalists, and your dedication to maintaining long-term relationships that ensure consistent coverage while also sharing examples of successful media collaborations.

Discuss specific techniques you use to tailor narratives for different audiences. Explain how you blend creative writing with relevant data, making the stories engaging, and ensure alignment with the organization’s goals.

Choose an example that illustrates your problem-solving skills, your approach to communication during crises, and how you overcame obstacles to successfully manage the situation while maintaining the organization's public image.

Speak about the various key performance indicators (KPIs) you typically track, such as media impressions, audience engagement, and social media reach, and how you use these analytics to refine strategies and demonstrate ROI.

Highlight your insights into current trends such as the importance of digital engagement, storytelling through new media channels, and the growing relevance of athlete branding, showing that you stay updated on industry shifts.

Demonstrate your conflict resolution skills by discussing how you facilitate discussions between departments to align messaging, and your ability to synthesize information from multiple teams into coherent narratives.

Explain your strategies for staying updated on industry news, media contacts, and new platforms, which could include subscribing to trade publications, leveraging social media, and attending industry events.

Share your management philosophy and experience, discussing specific instances where you successfully led a team, set clear goals, provided feedback, and fostered a collaborative environment.

Be genuine in your response, reflecting your passion for the brand, the surf culture, and how your skills align with the company's mission and values. Share what excites you most about the opportunity and WSL's vision.