COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER

Whitecaps Professional Baseball • Comstock Park, MI, US, MI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Relations Manager serves as a principal ambassador for the West Michigan Whitecaps and helps strengthen the organization’s connection to the West Michigan community. The role leads community-oriented promotions and fundraisers, manages the Whitecaps Community Foundation, oversees the mascot program, and coordinates player and staff appearances. The position reports to the Director of Marketing.

The manager leads community relations efforts involving neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits and organizations throughout West Michigan. Responsibilities include managing foundation fundraising, charitable giving and signature events; planning community promotions; coordinating mascot activities, appearances, ballpark tours, partnerships, volunteers and interns; and collaborating across the organization. The role also shares stories about community impact, tracks results and supports game-day and special-event operations, which may include assisting with field tarp operations.

This is a full-time position requiring 40 or more hours per week. Hours vary and include evenings, weekends, holidays and home games. Work takes place in the office, at LMCU Ballpark and throughout the West Michigan community, with regular travel to events, meetings and appearances and flexibility to work from home when appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit management, sports management or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in community relations, nonprofit management, event management, sports or a related field.
• Experience developing community programs, managing partnerships and coordinating events.
• Excellent communication, organizational and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and represent the Whitecaps in the community.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays, especially during baseball season.
• Ability to move throughout LMCU Ballpark and community event locations as necessary.
• Ability to move boxes weighing up to 35 pounds and help with event setup and teardown.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading interns, volunteers or seasonal staff.
• Background in professional sports, fundraising, community foundations or working with athletes.
• Spanish-language skills.
• Strong baseball or sports knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead community relations efforts with neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits and organizations throughout West Michigan.
• Manage the Whitecaps Community Foundation, including fundraising initiatives, charitable giving and signature events such as the Winter Banquet and Annual Golf Outing.
• Plan and execute community-oriented promotions that recognize and celebrate community members and organizations.
• Coordinate the mascot program across game-day entertainment, sponsor activations and non-game-day appearances.
• Manage player, mascot and staff appearances, ballpark tours, community partnerships, volunteers and interns.
• Collaborate with teams across the organization to deliver community programs and events.
• Share stories about community impact, track results and advance community programs.
• Assist with game-day and special-event responsibilities, including field tarp operations as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Free baseball tickets.
• Paid volunteer time.
• Free health club membership.
• Opportunities for discounted or free tickets to shows and events in West Michigan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager