Basketball Communications Manager

Become a part of the team behind the team.

As employees of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter, we do more than basketball. We are blazing trails toward winning championships on and off the court. 

We are pioneers and innovators. We look for people who push boundaries, who dream, who are committed to inclusivity – who want to contribute to Rip City!

As our Basketball Communications Manager, you will play a vital role in our Communications Department, reporting directly to the Senior Director of Basketball Communications & Content Strategy. In this dynamic position, you will help shape and execute basketball communications strategy while building relationships across the organization and media outlets. You’ll develop and distribute press materials, lead game-related communications operations, and manage our part-time communications and statistics staff. You will also have the opportunity to travel occasionally to support the team and media engagements.   

Our ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative communications professional who can move from developing press materials to leading and organizing game-night operations. You bring a deep understanding of basketball, exceptional writing and proofreading, and strong organizational skills. If you’re ready to help tell the Trail Blazers’ story and connect Rip City with the team in new and engaging ways, we’d love to hear from you!

DAY-TO-DAY:

• Partner with the Senior Director to execute basketball communications strategy and day-to-day media relations.
• Develop, write, and distribute compelling press releases, media advisories, and other communications materials that bring the team’s stories, news, and initiatives to life.
• Lead all game notes production and manage HoopsOMG.
• Lead basketball communications game-related operations, including media credentials, pregame and postgame materials, media hospitality areas, and coordination of game-night media responsibilities.
• Oversee the basketball communications game-night team and statistics staff, overseeing scheduling, coordination, communication, performance, and development to deliver a seamless game-night experience for the organization and media.
• Post updates and information to the Basketball Communications X account.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and basketball media, keeping media lists current and serving as a responsive resource for reporters covering the team.
• Develop and implement proactive communications plans that create opportunities to tell Trail Blazers stories across media platforms, including generating story ideas for broadcast partners, pregame and postgame shows, radio programming, and other media opportunities.
• Support Rip City Remix media relations and other basketball and corporate communications initiatives.
• This role will require some travel to support the team, media engagements, and external communications, which may include overnight stays and weekend trips as needed.
  
   

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU HAVE:

• A degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Sports Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in sports communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge of basketball, including NBA operations, and a passion for sports communications.
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative story ideas, write and edit engaging content, proactively secure meaningful coverage.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion when working with players, coaches, basketball operations personnel, executives, media, and other stakeholders, including the ability to maintain confidential and proprietary information.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and engage team members, manage schedules, and create an environment that supports accountability, growth, and collaboration.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines, work proactively, and maintain accuracy and responsiveness.
• The flexibility to work a non-traditional schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The ability to establish effective working relationships with a variety of media and community contacts (e.g., newspapers, TV, radio, digital outlets, etc.).
• The ability to provide and receive constructive feedback and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Offers of employment are conditional upon the successful results of an individual background check. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and review results on an individual basis.

The Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter embraces diversity and inclusion. We celebrate individual expression and uniqueness on our campus. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We are committed to hiring individuals that reflect the community we serve without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. We are an equal opportunity employer.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

PERKS: 

We invest in our employees inside and outside of work. Our benefits package for full-time teammates includes:

• Competitive Healthcare Coverage
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Maternal & Parental Leave
• Flexible Time Off (3 weeks 11 holidays)
• Wellness Perks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking Discounted Mass Transit Passes
• Discounted & Complimentary Tickets
• Ongoing Learning & Development