Position Summary:
The Coordinator, Communications/Social Media is a hybrid role – public relations and digital/social media – which primarily serves the Crew Academy (MLS NEXT Pro’s Crew 2 and MLS NEXT’s U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams) and the organization’s youth soccer programming, along with opportunities to support the First Team through our “One Club” mission. The position is focused on executing internal and external messaging strategies to generate positive publicity, create awareness and generate engagement with the Club’s teams at all levels of competition, including through strong relationships and communication with key stakeholders involved in advancing the player pathway and individual development.

As part of the “One Club” philosophy, the Crew are dedicated to strengthening a fully aligned soccer strategy that encompasses the First Team, the Crew Academy (MLS NEXT Pro’s Crew 2 and MLS NEXT’s U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams) and the organization’s youth soccer programming. The objective is to prepare players for success on and off the pitch by equipping them with the tools necessary to advance to the next level of competition and ultimately the professional ranks.

The Coordinator, Communications/Social Media will be the Club’s primary day-to-day contact for press releases, media resources and relations, social and digital content creation and execution and overall storytelling for the Crew Academy (MLS NEXT Pro’s Crew 2 and MLS NEXT’s U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams) and the organization’s youth soccer programming, including the Crew Network and year-round camps and clinics. This position will collaborate with Crew soccer leadership and operations, as well as MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT league counterparts, to implement a comprehensive, proactive soccer communications strategy that matches the Club’s vision and supports player engagement and recruitment specific to non-First Team goals.

Given the scope of responsibilities, the position serves as a member of both the Communications and Marketing & Brand Strategy departments and reports jointly to the Vice President of Communications and Manager of Social Media. The individual must have a keen ability to foster meaningful relationships with the personnel leads, head coaches, operations managers, program developers and technical staff members of the Crew Academy and youth soccer partnerships, camps and clinics.

Working with soccer and business departments, the role will ensure collaboration, player interview preparation and consistent media pitches and placements. Additionally, this person will work closely with the Club’s in-house creative agency to deliver first-class content across Crew Academy digital and social channels throughout the year and on matchdays, including potential travel with Crew 2 teams, as appropriate.

With an emphasis on strong writing skills, the Coordinator, Communications/Social Media will act as the primary representative for the Club’s media communications with the Crew Academy, most notably for Crew 2 press releases, press conferences, training schedules, weekly match notes, team and player statistics, event advisories, match previews and recaps, player announcements, Club events and more. Additionally, the person will help ensure compliance with MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT media policies, as well as broadcast needs through MLS’ TV partnership with Apple.

Position Duties:

Collaborate with department leadership and soccer operations to develop and execute a comprehensive and proactive soccer communications strategy for the Crew Academy (MLS NEXT Pro’s Crew 2 and MLS NEXT’s U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams) and the organization’s youth soccer programming, including the Crew Network and camps and clinics.
Serve as the primary communications contact for Crew Academy media/public communications (press releases, press conferences, training schedules, weekly match notes, team and player statistics, event advisories, match recaps and previews, player announcements, Club events, etc.).
Lead content creation and execution for the Club website and social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads) on matchdays and throughout the week for Crew 2, plus the entire Crew Academy and youth soccer programming resources.
Develop, maintain and execute a robust year-long social media content calendar.
Ensure alignment of all public facing materials (media and digital/social media communications) with key Club priorities, events and communication.
Oversee opportunities for written collateral related to the Crew Academy and youth soccer programming to be published on the Club website, as well as targeted local and national media pitches to promote the franchise’s efforts in these areas and the overall player pathway.
Work directly with Club’s Crew Academy technical staff to research projects with league and international statistics and Club strategy to positively showcase the team’s efforts.
Proactively communicate Crew Academy day-to-day player/coach availability and coverage opportunities including training, matchday, community relations and business storylines.
Execute exemplary media operations experience on matchdays and at applicable Club press events.
Manage Crew 2 press box credential and matchday media operations needs for all Crew 2 matches at Historic Crew Stadium, as well as limited matches at Lower.com Field.
Select travel to Crew 2 road matches and Club events, as appropriate.
Coordinate matchday photography needs across all levels of competition, outside of the First Team.
Foster relationships with soccer and business departments to stay informed of initiatives. Work closely with supervisors and respective personnel to support Club-wide marketing, corporate partnership, broadcasting and sales initiatives, as needed.
Identify and create connectivity between all teams within the Club and help identify new storytelling opportunities that help solidify and advance our “One Club" philosophy.
Build relationships and work closely with league-wide communications personnel, broadcast partners and local and national media members across the soccer landscape.

Specific Job Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field preferred.
1-to-3 years previous experience working in a sports team or communications environment, with soccer experience preferred.
Previous experience drafting and creating communications collateral (press releases, press conferences, training schedules, weekly game notes, event advisories, etc.)
Technical and strategic understanding of current and emerging digital and social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
Passion for sports and global knowledge of the sport of soccer and MLS.
Previous experience within MLS NEXT Pro and/or MLS Academy is a plus.
Strong ability to establish meaningful relationships with various stakeholders, including but not limited to the team’s soccer and business leadership and various media, supporter and community contacts (e.g., newspaper beat writers, TV and radio personnel, social media platforms).
Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed based on teams’ schedules.

Additional attributes:

Possesses a team-first mindset and emphasizes relationships and collaboration.
Has an eagerness to learn and ask questions.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Displays sound judgment in decision making, including an understanding of when to elevate conversations to supervisors and additional soccer and business personnel.
Overall knowledge a vast array of digital and social media platforms.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
Proficiency in programs such as Adobe InDesign preferred; proficiency in Adobe Photoshop a plus.
Prior experience and proficiency in Content Management software a plus.
Ability to work in a professional environment.
Exceptional writing ability and proficiency with AP Style.
Ability to multitask and meet tight deadlines.
Strong project and time management skills – people, projects, delegating responsibility and more.
Individual must be detail-oriented and a self-starter.
Open to traveling with the team on a select basis, as needed.