Position Description This position description provides an indicative outline of the purpose and accountabilities of the role. Specific performance objectives, measurements and expectations will be included in your agreed annual Performance and Development Plan. Position Title Communications & Digital Manager Department Commercial Reports To General Manager, Commercial Direct Reports TBC Position Type Full time Location University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland Date January 2019 Introduction The Sunshine Coast Lightning netball franchise is a joint venture between Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and was established in late 2016. The Club is based at USC’s Sippy Downs campus, on the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland. Netball is the largest female participation sport in Australia. The Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league is widely recognised as the best professional netball club competition in the world. The SSN competition showcases the Sunshine Coast region to a national and international audience. The Club has experienced enormous success in its first two seasons, winning back-to-back premierships in 2017 and 2018, making it the most successful start-up professional sport team in Australian history. The Club has been just as successful off-court, attracting a solid membership base, a diverse portfolio of international, national and local corporate partners, sold out home matches at USC Stadium and incredible engagement with the local community. Sunshine Coast Lightning’s vision, mantra and values are at the core of the organisation and provide the platform for its high performance culture. Our Vision is “to be a world class club that inspires, excites and values our people” and we are proud to appoint people who share the Club’s vision for performance excellence, both on and off the court. Our Mantra “above and beyond, for and with, together we strike” demonstrates our collective approach and how we do it. Our Club Values – Passion, People, Point of Difference and Purpose - underpin all that we do, and how we do it. Our Club Values drive our interactions with others, both internally and externally. Position Purpose The Communications & Digital Manager is responsible for managing all communications at the Sunshine Coast Lightning across both netball and commercial departments. The role will have a key focus on proactively developing and delivering communications across all channels to drive brand awareness and engagement for the Club including traditional media, digital, social and video content. A critical function of the role is media management and the creation of innovative and engaging content for the Club’s website and social media platforms. Key Responsibilities 1. Communications • Development of the media, public relations and communications strategy with the GM Commercial, and implementation of activities to deliver key objectives • Manage the Club’s overall communications style, brand tone and language, including copywriting across commercial and netball • Provide briefings/education to players and netball department in relation to key messaging to ensure consistent public approach 2. Media and Public Relations • Develop, maintain and manage relationships with a wide range of media partners, players and coaches • Source and develop news concepts and content for media • Prepare and issue Club media releases, alerts, news updates and statements • Manage all journalist enquiries for all Club operations in a timely and efficient manner • Manage all match day media at home and away matches, including receipt and allocation of requests, troubleshooting and pre-and post-match interviews • Shoot and produce relevant video content as required • Manage Club press conferences • Manage media clippings and reporting 3. Digital Content • Oversee the Club’s Digital Content strategy to support the overall commercial objectives • Manage all digital platforms including the website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube • Work closely with the Marketing Manager to ensure eDMs align with the overall communications strategy • Collaborate with Design & Video Producer to create the video content plan to ensure all Club online requirements are fulfilled and tasks are achieved creatively and delivered on time • Work with the GM Commercial to enhance a broader, long term strategy for digital and social media with a whole of club/stadium focus • Work closely with the GM Commercial to provide direction for the Club’s digital assets and offerings • Lead the evolution of new media strategy and innovation across the business, ensuring the Club is positioned ahead of the curve in social media and digital trends and development • Be creative and demonstrate the ability to think outside the square to engage supporters in the digital space – create engaging concepts to attract and retain supporters • Review and monitor digital offerings – to provide insights and opportunities to club sponsors • Use analytics to drive ideas and innovation across club digital platforms with a focus on constantly engaging our fans, members and corporate partners in and out of season – increasing visitors across all digital platforms • In conjunction with the Commercial team, provide advice and guidance in how to generate commercial return from the Club’s online assets 4. Team Performance • Contribute to the overall success of the Sunshine Coast Lightning team through open and honest communication, respect for others and reporting progress regularly. • Take a proactive role in fostering a positive, innovative and high-performing culture within the club. • Participate in the Performance Development Plan and review process which includes regular review of performance against the responsibilities and performance objectives of the role. • Perform the responsibilities of the role in a manner which reflects and responds to continuous improvement. • Act as a positive role model, ambassador and advocate for the sport, nurturing and developing positive relationships that will promote and support the strategic development of Suncorp Super Netball and netball generally. • Build and maintain close and collaborative working relationships with Netball Australia, other SSN Clubs, club staff and key stakeholders. 5. Other • Support the delivery of Sunshine Coast Lightning events including event set up and pack down. • General administration duties as required. Key Relationships Internal • CEO • Coaching, high performance and other athlete support staff • Commercial and administration staff • Athletes • Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club staff • University of the Sunshine Coast External • Netball Australia • Netball Queensland • Netball Northern Territory / Territory Storm ANL team • Suncorp Super Netball teams • Sunshine Coast Council • Government bodies • Commercial partners • Suppliers and service providers • Sunshine Coast community • Members and fans • Broadcasters and media • Local netball clubs • Community representatives and groups Key Skills & Attributes • Excellent presentation and communication skills, including written communication • Communication and relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while juggling multiple priorities • Attention to detail – delivering right, the first-time, every time • Tenacious – determined to achieve strong results • Personable – ability to establish immediate rapport and build relationships • Passionate – about marketing, media and being part of a family • Positive – focus on the “can do” • Trustworthy – takes ownership of responsibility, accepts accountability, creates trust from colleagues, operates with integrity Qualifications, Experience and Licences Required • Appropriate tertiary education qualifications • Multimedia experience, particularly video production and picture editing • An understanding of sport in Australia in terms of industry, media and politics • A mature approach to the role, comfortable working with athletes and officials • Knowledge of the trends within the sports media industry, including social platforms and online content systems Club Values All club personnel are responsible for behaving in accordance with, and proudly promoting the Club’s values – Passion, People, Point of Difference and Purpose. • Passion: We are passionate about our club and bring energy, emotion, focus and determination to achieve success. • People: We are a club built on family and community values where people are respected as our most important asset. • Point of Difference: We pride ourselves on our uniqueness, diversity and individuality that when combined, give us a competitive edge. • Purpose: Everything we do is for a reason, everything we do has purpose. These values are integral to the success of our club and they form part of each person’s position description and measurements as part of their annual Performance and Development Plans. Financial Delegation Please refer to the current approved Purchasing Policy delegated authority limits. Hours of Work This is a full-time role, however due to the nature of the position and the sport industry, evening and weekend work will be required from time-to-time, particularly in season, including travelling to away matches. Accreditation All club personnel need to meet Sunshine Coast Lightning and/or Netball Australia accreditation/registration requirements, which may include National Police Record clearance and current Blue Card/Working with