DKC is looking for a Vice President with 7-10 years of relevant public relations and communications experience to join its award-winning sports practice in New York.
About DKC and DKC Sports
DKC is an award-winning independent agency with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, Miami and London. We have had a transformative impact on brands, individuals and issues, building a reputation for strategy, creativity and media relations.
With a high energy and fast-paced atmosphere, we take a hands-on approach to training and career development; offering tremendous opportunities for inspired, motivated, entrepreneurial team members.
DKC Sports is positioned at the epicenter of sports, media and technology and is a trusted partner for iconic brands and startups, innovative sports tech companies, leagues, franchises, media properties, sponsors, venues, executives, coaches, athletes and global events. DKC Sports has also established itself as a major player in many of the industry’s biggest growth sectors, including NIL/college, esports, sports betting, technology, content, and new leagues.
We are results-driven strategists, building awareness and laddering-up campaigns to our partners’ core business objectives. Bridging to new audiences is also a strength, and in fact, most of our clients hire us to generate non-endemic buzz off the sports pages. Our team also thrives in cross-functional settings, collaborating frequently with other agency divisions, including Lifestyle, DKCulture, Corporate, Entertainment, Public Affairs, DKC Analytics and our creative shop, Hangar4.
About the Role
The Vice President is the entry point into senior management at DKC. The Vice President is expected to have mastered the ability to create strategic plans and be a leader who can run accounts. In addition to generating meaningful and impactful publicity, the Vice President is also expected to supervise and motivate account teams as well as master client relations. A Vice President should also actively participate in the development and origination of new business.
This successful candidate will be self-starter, deeply motivated individual responsible for leading marquee sports team accounts, developing and implementing strategy and driving impactful feature publicity and thought leadership opportunities.
The Vice President, Sports will report to the Executive Director of Sports.
The job will consist of a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Strategy

• Develop strategic plans and communications programs with a thorough understanding of each client’s strategic imperatives/business objectives.
• Provide opinion, counsel, and direction during the development of strategic plans and communications programs.
• Oversee the implementation of strategy and hold staff accountable to deliver on account priorities.

• Own and develop relationships at multiple levels at major national and local media outlets as well as outlets relevant to client’s needs.
• Lead daily pitching efforts including newsjacking, where relevant
• Ensure account teams are implementing impactful publicity with the frequency, size and outlet reach necessary to accomplish the client’s strategic imperatives/business objectives.
• Drive thought leadership programs, including executive interviews, podcasts, conference and speaking opportunities, etc.

Writing

• Proficiency in the creation of comprehensive, strategic documents such as business plans, communications programs, and proposals.
• Development of compelling and clear press materials.
• Direct junior and mid-level staff on the creation of all written press materials and materials used for internal and external distribution.
• Provide senior level insight, direction, and creativity to all written materials.

Client Service

• Ability to instill confidence in teams and make sure all deadlines are met and project tasks are completed.
• Lead client calls/meetings as well as internal calls/meetings with account teams.
• Communicate clearly, comfortably and in an informed/prepared manner with clients at all levels as well as all DKC staff.

Leadership

• Lead and run accounts along with supervising and mentoring junior to mid-level staff.
• Ability to solve problems and issues with internal staff and clients at all levels.
• Help create and execute forums, sessions, social engagements, etc. where DKC staff can meet and/or develop relationships with relevant members of the media.

New Business

• Lead and actively participate in new business brainstorms and pitches.
• Begin to originate new business.

The salary range for this role is commensurate with experience: $100k-140k.

Our office has a hybrid work model: in office 3 days a week, working remote 2 days a week.

At DKC, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our agency. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Department: Sports
This is a management position
This is a full time position