Director Communications

The Walt Disney Company • New York, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

ESPN has an immediate opportunity for an experienced, motivated, and innovative Director, Communications. This position is based in New York, NY. The role involves overseeing communications efforts for entertainment-driven programming, including ESPN Films, 30 for 30, Original Content series and projects, and 30 for 30 Podcasts. It also includes leading communications for The ESPYS, with responsibilities for publicity, red carpet, and more. Additionally, the Director will serve as the communications point person for ESPN’s coverage of tennis, including major tournaments like the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. The role requires developing and executing detailed publicity campaigns for a variety of platforms and identifying/creating story angles to pitch to media outlets. Planning and executing red carpet events with high-profile talent, athletes, and celebrities is also a key responsibility. The Director will develop comprehensive publicity plans and strategic communications efforts for ESPN’s tennis coverage, working with various internal and external stakeholders. Collaboration with senior executives on media interviews, PR planning, and issue management is essential. Writing and editing press releases and other PR documents, managing issues, strategizing external messaging for major announcements, and maximizing PR through external contacts are also part of the role. Embracing new tools like AI and approaches to serve as a 360 communicator for both internal and external audiences is expected. Generating story ideas and multimedia assets to engage audiences online, including creating content for MyDisneyToday (internal employee site) and ESPN Front Row (corporate blog), is also required. The Director will contribute to overall ESPN communications department planning and direction, serve as a key contact for national and local media, and act as a company spokesperson when appropriate. Managing external PR firms and representing ESPN at various events, premieres, and conferences are also duties. Responding to media requests and assisting with department initiatives are also part of the role.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7-10 years of public relations/media relations experience.
• Knowledge and experience in overseeing red carpets and celebrity-focused events
• Experience in film and television public relations is a must
• Excellent PR, communications and writing skills
• Results-oriented and experienced in media pitching across spectrum of media (TV, print, online, radio, magazines, trades)
• Demonstrated knowledge/understanding of men’s/women’s sports, entertainment and media
• Must have national and local media contacts across various types of press outlets
• Strategic and creative thinker
• Self-starter and positive personality
• Proficiency in social media: Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok

Nice To Haves

• Experience with new technologies (such as AI)
• Knowledge and familiarity with ESPN business and general media/streaming landscape
• Ability to handle multiple tasks on deadline in fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Oversee communications efforts for entertainment-driven programming, including ESPN Films, 30 for 30, Original Content series and projects and 30 for 30 Podcasts.
• Lead communications for The ESPYS, including responsibilities for publicity, red carpet and more.
• Serve as communications point person for ESPN’s coverage of tennis, including U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open.
• Develop and execute detailed publicity campaigns for a variety of platforms including but not limited to: ESPN Films projects such as 30 for 30 documentaries, 30 for 30 Podcasts, ESPN Original Content, the annual ESPYS, and various other projects such as film festivals.
• Identify and create story angles, pitch them to various media outlets, and generate publicity results.
• Plan and execute red carpet events with high-profile talent, athletes and celebrities.
• Develop comprehensive publicity plans and year-round strategic communications efforts in support of ESPN’s tennis coverage, including working with on-air commentators, production and programming staff, external event partners and outside tennis, sports business and entertainment media.
• Work closely with senior executives on media interviews, PR planning and issue management.
• Write and edit press releases and other PR documents.
• Manage issues, strategize and create external messaging for major announcements and work with external contacts to maximize PR.
• Embrace new tools (such as AI) and approaches to serve as a 360 communicator, serving both internal and external audiences.
• Generate story ideas and multimedia assets to creatively engage a variety of audiences online. This includes creating regular new material for MyDisneyToday (internal employee site) and ESPN Front Row, the company’s outward-facing corporate blog.
• Contribute to overall ESPN communications dept planning and direction.
• Serve as key contact for national and local media as well as company spokesperson, when appropriate.
• Manage external PR firms as needed.
• Serve on an as-needed basis for various ESPN Communications Dept events/needs.
• Travel to and represent ESPN at various events, premieres, and conferences.
• Respond to media requests for information and interviews.
• Assist with various department initiatives and projects as assigned.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

What This Job Offers

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