Who we are Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for leading the growth, promotion and showcasing of tennis in Canada. Tennis Canada owns and operates Rogers Cup and Coupe Rogers presented by National Bank, which drive over 80% of the organization’s revenue. In addition, Tennis Canada owns and operates eight professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports 11 other professional tournaments in Canada. Through its high performance program, Tennis Canada also operates junior national training centres/programs and a National Training Center in Montreal which is focused on developing Canada’s elite juniors with the objective transitioning them to top professional players on the international circuit. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. What we are looking for Communications Director Reporting directly to the CMO, the Communications Director will define and oversee the implementation of Tennis Canada’s overall communications strategy. The scope of the role includes internal communications, external communications with key stakeholders, media relations and public relations. The mandate of the Communications Director is to help Tennis Canada deliver its mission and specifically: - Drive interest and participation in tennis in Canada; - Drive awareness, participation and ticket sales for our tournaments and primarily Rogers Cup/Coupe Rogers, Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Coupe BN; - Increase awareness and brand equity for Tennis Canada, showcasing its work, achievements, ownership of tournaments and success in developing elite players; - Bring communications best practices to Tennis Canada and provide leadership and mentorship to the communications team. Key Responsibilities: Oversee creation and execution of a communications plan that drives media coverage for Rogers Cup/Coupe Rogers throughout the year and beyond Sports media; Develop and oversee the execution of a year round communications plan that drives coverage and helps generate broader interest and fandom for tennis among Canadians by identifying/creating interesting story angles and leveraging Canadian wins on home soil and abroad; Oversee the creation of a content calendar that can be leveraged across our platforms (social, digital, newsletters), and leveraged with media and key stakeholders (Provincial Tennis Associations, Donors, Past Ticket holders, etc.); Develop and oversee the communications plan for the celebration of 10th anniversary of the National Training Center in Sept 2017; Bring industry best practices to both the communications team and the TC organization; Oversee communications and media outreach in support of the Provincial Tennis Associations and the Tennis Development department. Tournament media and PR (including Rogers Cup and Coupe Rogers) Oversee creation and execution of a communications plan that drives media coverage for RC/CR throughout the year and beyond Sports media; Develop an editorial strategy that generates broad media coverage for RC/CR year round; Oversee production of all tournament related publications and materials; Oversee media centre operations for all major professional events across Canada; Work closely with ATP, WTA, ITF and USTA to identify opportunities, plan and execute global media initiatives to promote tournaments and players; Develop relationships with media and influencers to broaden to appeal of RC/CR; Work closely with key partners of RC/CR to create or maximize opportunities for media coverage; Develop a media strategy that helps generate interest in RC/CR from potential sponsors and partners (business and trade publications). Participation and Grassroots Reinforce collaboration and support of Provincial Tennis Associations; Guide coordinator to provide required communications support to PTA’s, including media relations (press kits, sample releases, key messaging) and shared content; Guide communications of Tennis Canada programs and initiatives with PTA’s; Support the new National Participation Programs; Support Tennis Canada 365 brand efforts, including annual brand campaign amplification and support of marketing plan initiatives; Support Government Relations initiatives as required; Support efforts to build new roof in Montreal, opening of new facilities as required or general facilities development advocacy with PR activity that enhance fundraising efforts. Tennis Canada Put in place an internal/external communications process to efficiently share news with key stakeholders; Develop an annual communications plan that drives coverage and generates broader interest and fandom for tennis among Canadians by identifying/creating interesting story angles and leveraging Canadian wins on home soil and abroad; Oversee development and implementation of a communications plan to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of National Training Center and strategically generate awareness and excitement for our Next Gen players; Oversee media training for key stakeholders; Support Tennis Canada’s corporate sales efforts through Business-to-Business/Trade Communications, highlight successes, innovation and new partnerships; Drive awareness and brand equity for Tennis Canada as a not-for-profit and/or a cause that needs and warrants the help and support of the public, government and corporate sector; Crisis management as required. Who you are Undergraduate degree in related field, advanced degree and/ or certificates (an asset) 7 to 10 years of public relations and communications experience, with mix of agency and client-side backgrounds; Superior communications skills, both spoken and written; Fluently bilingual in English and French; Strong network of media contacts in entertainment, lifestyle and Canadian sports media; Proven ability to develop and execute strategic and creative communications that help drive extensive and diverse media coverage; Strong leadership, initiative, ability to work well with key stakeholders; Developed people management skills, experience managing at least 2 direct reports; Interest and understanding of the sports world/tennis; Trend and social media savvy. What’s in it for you? Be part of a dynamic organization that makes a difference across Canada; Get in the game! Join the Rogers Cup team; Be part of an innovative, vibrant and passionate team; Join the organization that sets the standard and always strives for excellence. Interested? Send us your resume at [email protected] .