Director, PR & Communications
Philadelphia Union
On-site
Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
ABOUT OUR CLUB
Philadelphia was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise in February, 2008 and the team was officially announced as the Philadelphia Union in May, 2009. Owned and operated by Union Sports and Entertainment, the group launched the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season in 2010 and opened what is now Subaru Park in June, 2010. Subaru Park is an 18,500 seat, world-class soccer specific stadium that sits beautifully along the Delaware River at the base of the Commodore Barry Bridge and is only 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
Philadelphia was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise in February, 2008 and the team was officially announced as the Philadelphia Union in May, 2009. Owned and operated by Union Sports and Entertainment, the group launched the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season in 2010 and opened what is now Subaru Park in June, 2010. Subaru Park is an 18,500 seat, world-class soccer specific stadium that sits beautifully along the Delaware River at the base of the Commodore Barry Bridge and is only 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
The club has reached the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018, and has appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, securing their first showing in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021. In 2020, the Union were awarded the club’s first Supporters’ Shield after finishing with the best regular season record in MLS. The club hosted the Eastern Conference Final in 2021 and were named the Eastern Conference Champions in 2022. The Philadelphia Union have once again clinched a berth in the 2023 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. The 2022 season finished at the MLS Cup against LAFC, in one of the most intense matches in League history!
Philadelphia Union’s culture and brand positioning of Young, Fearless, Challengers differentiates us from others and focuses our vision to be unafraid and defy the ordinary. Union Sports and Entertainment is relentlessly pursuing excellence both on and off the field and will lead the way, set the standards and share the glory. Our connection to Philadelphia is symbolized in the Club’s crest as the snake, colors, shield, slogan and thirteen stars all represent Philadelphia as the original capital city and its call to action during the American Revolution.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
The Director, PR & Communications is a dynamic, high-impact role responsible for amplifying the public profile of the Philadelphia Union across local, regional, and national media markets. This individual will serve as the club’s lead media strategist, overseeing both day-to-day public relations efforts and long-term brand-enhancing campaigns. Working closely with first team players, technical staff, and club leadership, this role blends tactical pitching with strategic messaging, media operations, content development, and community integration to drive awareness, coverage, and affinity for the Union Sports and Entertainment Brand.
The Director, PR & Communications is a dynamic, high-impact role responsible for amplifying the public profile of the Philadelphia Union across local, regional, and national media markets. This individual will serve as the club’s lead media strategist, overseeing both day-to-day public relations efforts and long-term brand-enhancing campaigns. Working closely with first team players, technical staff, and club leadership, this role blends tactical pitching with strategic messaging, media operations, content development, and community integration to drive awareness, coverage, and affinity for the Union Sports and Entertainment Brand.
Key Responsibilities:
Media Relations & Storytelling
- Act as lead spokesperson and main point of contact for all media relations.
- Build, maintain, and grow strategic relationships with local, regional, and national journalists, influencers, and outlets.
- Generate and pitch creative storylines to media and develop enterprise narratives that support club initiatives.
- Coordinate media appearances, player/coach interviews, press conferences, and media days.
- Develop and maintain a living “pitch list” to track ongoing media initiatives.
Public & Community Relations Strategy
- Create and execute comprehensive PR strategies that position the club as a leading brand in sport and community.
- Develop integrated campaigns tied to key platforms (e.g., kit launches, eSports, cause campaigns, league initiatives).
- Plan and implement high-impact media content and newsworthy activations.
- Collaborate with marketing and community departments on storytelling and outreach opportunities.
Content & Digital Communications
- Oversee creation of compelling media content including press releases, match previews/recaps, and digital matchday programs.
- Lead collaboration between communications, digital, and creative teams to craft social media and multimedia content that supports PR goals.
- Ensure consistent tone, voice, and brand messaging across all public-facing content.
Player & Staff Integration
- Develop strong relationships with players, coaches, and technical staff to facilitate positive media interactions.
- Provide media training and talking points as needed.
Measurement & Reporting
- Monitor and report on media coverage, social trends, and sentiment.
- Track KPIs to measure PR campaign effectiveness and refine strategies accordingly.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
- 5-7 years of experience in public relations, sports media, or a similar communications-focused role; MLS or professional sports team experience strongly preferred.
- Strong media pitching and relationship-building skills with a track record of story placement.
- High comfort level working with athletes, coaches, and senior leadership.
- Experience managing game-day media operations and working in a locker room setting.
- Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Highly organized, with the ability to multitask in fast-paced environments.
- Knowledge of soccer and familiarity with MLS is strongly preferred.
- Bilingual or multilingual a plus.
- Ability to work nights, weekends, and travel with the teams as required for games and special events. Please look at the remaining 2025 schedule found here: https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/schedule/#competition=all&date=2025-07-01
- This role is required to work four days in office from Monday-Thursday.
OUR PERKS
- Comprehensive benefits package including three medical options, vision and dental coverage, including flexible spending & health savings accounts.
- Pre-tax and Roth 401k (up to 4% is matched, after elimination period).
- Company-paid life insurance and disability.
- Paid holidays and PTO days annually.
- Access to licensed therapists via the virtual mental health platform, Tava Health, available to all employees and their dependents.
- Wellness reimbursements through Independence Blue Cross.
- Summer Friday hours.
- 50% merchandise discount.
- Other league and partner discounts.
- Complimentary or discounted tickets.
- 24/7 state-of-the-art Fitness Center and locker rooms.
- On-site Café with grab-and-go options, salad bar, and grill!
This position requires valid criminal background clearances in the state of PA:
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check
- FBI Criminal Background Check (via fingerprinting)
- Annual Safe Sport Certification
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class. Not sure you meet every requirement? Championship teams are built on diverse strengths. If you’re passionate about sports and excited about this role, we want to hear from you!