Communications Manager
RIVERSPORT | Oklahoma City
Reports To: Sr. Director of Marketing, Advertising & Events
Status: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt
Position Summary
The Communications Manager is responsible for telling the RIVERSPORT story across digital, social, earned media and visual platforms. This position combines social media, public relations, content creation, photography, video and day-to-day graphic design into a single integrated role.
Working within RIVERSPORT's marketing strategy and brand standards, this position creates compelling content that increases awareness, participation and engagement while supporting programs, events, memberships, fundraising and organizational initiatives.
The role requires a strategic, collaborative approach to communications, ensuring messaging is coordinated across departments, campus programs and external partners while balancing daily execution with proactive monthly, quarterly and annual planning.
Essential Responsibilities
Content & Social Media
- Manage RIVERSPORT's digital media channels and content calendar, including creating, scheduling and publishing engaging content.
- Produce and edit photography, short-form video and digital content highlighting athletes, programs, events, partners and community impact.
- Monitor social engagement, respond or route inquiries and track performance to recommend improvements.
- Stay informed of communications trends, platform changes and industry best practices.
- Develop coordinated monthly, quarterly and annual content plans supporting organizational priorities.
- Understand how communications channels - including social media, email, public relations, print, partnerships and advertising - collectively drive awareness, website traffic and engagement.
Public Relations & Communications
- Send press releases, media advisories, story pitches and organizational announcements.
- Maintain media relationships and coordinate coverage, interviews and event communications.
- Proactively identify compelling RIVERSPORT stories and earned media opportunities.
- Support organizational crisis communications, email marketing, newsletters and other outreach.
- Build relationships with community organizations, tourism partners, sponsors and stakeholders in Oklahoma City and beyond to identify cross-promotional opportunities.
- Develop concise one-page reports, organizational updates and communications materials for leadership and external partners.
Creative & Brand Execution
- Create digital and print graphics, event materials, signage and advertising assets using established brand standards.
- Maintain reusable branded templates and organized photography, video and creative asset libraries.
- Coordinate outside designers, videographers, agencies and creative vendors when needed.
- Ensure consistent branding and messaging across departments, programs and organizational communications.
Event & Program Support
- Provide on-site content coverage for major RIVERSPORT events, competitions and organizational activities.
- Coordinate event-specific communications plans with the Events & Competition Manager and program teams.
- Capture and distribute timely event content, results, athlete stories and sponsor recognition.
- Support campaigns for memberships, programs, camps, leagues, events and organizational initiatives.
- Work proactively across campus to understand priorities, ask strategic questions and identify opportunities for coordinated messaging and cross-promotion.
- Align communications timelines to maximize reach, reduce competing messages and support organizational goals.
Strategic Planning, Reporting & Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Senior Director and department leaders to develop and execute coordinated monthly, quarterly and annual communications plans.
- Meet regularly with the Senior Director to review progress, priorities and performance while bringing forward proactive recommendations, opportunities and proposed solutions - not simply status updates.
- Think strategically beyond individual assignments by identifying communication gaps, asking relevant questions and connecting organizational initiatives.
- Understand the audience journey and how traditional and digital communications contribute to awareness, website traffic, engagement, participation and broader organizational objectives.
- Utilize available analytics across social media, email/CRM, website activity, digital advertising and other channels to evaluate performance and recommend improvements.
- Prepare concise performance summaries, one-page reports and updates highlighting results, insights and recommended next steps.
- Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to strengthen cross-promotion, maximize resources and improve communications effectiveness.
Performance Expectations
Success will be measured through:
- Growth in digital reach, engagement and overall communications effectiveness.
- Consistent planning, execution of coordinated content calendars and communications plans.
- Earned media coverage and strength of media and community relationships.
- Timely delivery of quality content, creative materials and organizational communications.
- Brand consistency across channels, departments and programs.
- Effective collaboration, cross-promotion and support of organizational initiatives.
- Ability to interpret performance metrics and communicate meaningful insights and recommendations.
- Proactive planning, problem-solving and regular strategic collaboration with the Senior Director.
- Efficient use of internal resources, templates and external vendors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, graphic design or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of relevant professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations or digital media.
- Demonstrated experience managing organizational social and digital accounts.
- Strong writing, editing, public relations, photography and short-form video production skills.
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva or comparable creative platforms.
- Understanding of integrated communications, audience engagement, email/CRM platforms, website analytics and digital advertising fundamentals.
- Ability to interpret communications performance and develop concise reports and actionable recommendations.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, independent judgment and ability to coordinate communications across departments and external partners.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal and time-management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Awareness of evolving communications best practices and industry trends.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and competitions.