Reporting to the Marketing & Communications Director, this role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sports communications specialist to make a contribution to the overall IIHF communication strategy, manage events and drive awareness in a complex but exciting digital era. As Communications Manager, you will have in-depth communications experience and a passion for ice hockey. You will work closely with IIHF Member National Associations, members of the media, internal departments, and content teams to ensure that IIHF delivers a clear, compelling and consistent message in all external communications. You will be competent working with both traditional and new media platforms, and have a deep professional understanding of the ever-evolving digital and social media landscape.

The IIHF would like this position to start as soon as possible. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Work with the Marketing & Communications Director to develop and execute an overall communications strategy to reach IIHF’s strategic initiatives
  • Responsible for all written communications, from writing press releases, speeches, written statements, and briefings to proactive and reactive communications throughout the season in English, the official language of IIHF
  • Act as direct contact to media, coordinating requests and interviews
  • Management of media operations and media accreditation process at IIHF tournaments
  • Liaison to host organizing committees and assisting them with media services and media accreditation for IIHF World Championships, Olympic Games, and Youth Olympic Games
  • Responsible for content, design, creation and production of all internal and external IIHF publications
  • Work with the Digital Content Team to provide topics for online editorial and social media coverage for IIHF.com of top-level events
  • Create editorial guidelines for IIHF tournaments in regards to IIHF website, social media, photography and video content
  • Monitor media coverage for story trends and reputational impacts, both positive and negative
  • Work with IIHF departments to development editorial content to promote ice hockey topics
  • Develop and execute communications measures with major stakeholders, i.e. federations, clubs, leagues
  • Provide event support in IIHF-governed events

Secondary Responsibilities

  • Assist in preparing and controlling respective budgets
  • Support staff in assigned project work if necessary
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Marketing & Communications Director 

Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or similar
  • Absolute requirement is minimum 8-10 years of successful career in journalism and/or communications role in an international ice hockey environment of which a minimum of five years must have been in North American ice hockey
  • Media training and crisis communication experience an asset
  • 100% fluent English speaking/writing ability is a requirement as all press and written communications must be in the IIHF official language
  • German or further languages also advantageous
  • Previous experience producing content and handling media relations for ice hockey events
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Able to plan and execute multiple tasks in an accurate, efficient and reliable way
  • Ability to work under pressure in an event and team-oriented environment
  • Proficiency in full Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, video-editing software 
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary
  • International travel required – participation at Top Division events
  • Expect to be reachable if needed at various times for specific communication topics

If you are a dedicated, open-minded and self-motivated team player with native English communication skills and ice hockey experience, then we are looking forward to receiving your full application (inclusive cover letter, photo and salary expectation). 

Benefits:

The ideal candidate will be offered a highly interesting and versatile function within an international ice hockey environment as well as excellent benefits.

Contact:

International Ice Hockey Federation
c/o Irina Ebner
Brandschenkestrasse 50
8027 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 562 22 00
Email: job@iihf.com



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