Head of Marketing and Communications

Ottawa Rapid FC joins clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax as a founding member of the Northern Super League, Canada’s first women’s pro soccer league. At Ottawa Rapid FC we believe in the codependence of purpose and performance. We constantly strive for excellence through continuous improvement and growth but stay grounded in our core purpose and values. 

The Club is hiring a small core group of full-time leaders, supported by a team of specialists, that will roll up their sleeves and multi-task to thoughtfully and strategically build a new women’s pro soccer Club serving fans in Ottawa-Gatineau.

The Rapid FC’s first Head of Marketing and Communications is a multi-talented, multi-lingual communicator that understands the importance of early brand building, has experience optimizing messaging and visibility across all digital platforms and can leverage relationships throughout the Ottawa/Gatineau media communities.  
 

Key responsibilities include

Marketing Strategy Development and Execution
  • Develop and execute a results-driven, multi-platform communications strategy and plan in line with corporate and brand direction while reflecting local priorities and culture
  • Develop and implement innovative marketing strategies that drive Club fan base growth, enhance engagement, and increase Club visibility throughout Ottawa and the greater Outaouais, including creative gameday programming 
  • Create and manage all marketing materials and collateral in line with brand direction. This would include creating medium- and long-term merchandising design recommendations that would ultimately be fulfilled by the operations team
  • Support and collaborate with NSL and other Club marketing leads to ensure alignment and shared success  
Digital Marketing
  • Lead the digital marketing team and development of digital campaigns, including social media, email marketing, and SEO strategies, to drive fan engagement and digital audience growth to support of revenue generation 
  • Regularly track KPIs and digital analytics to ensure marketing plans are on target and on budget 
Community Engagement and Outreach
  • Develop and implement community engagement initiatives that strengthen the Club’s connection with local communities and foster a loyal fan base
Media and Public Relations
  • Lead and execute paid media strategies across French and English digital, social, and broadcast channels aimed at increasing brand affinity, fan acquisition and retention
  • Proactively identify media opportunities, monitor media coverage and analyze the effectiveness of media campaigns
  • Facilitate and coordinate media access and interview requests in relation to Players, Coaching and other Club staff Act as the Club’s media spokesperson 
  • Issue annual media guides and credentials for matches and practices 
  • Issue team releases and advisories (player movement, milestones, practice details, management changes, etc.)

Required Qualifications

  • Ability to speak French and English fluently
  • Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to get points/ideas across in a succinct and professional manner
  • A minimum of 5 years of effectively managing employees and contracted specialists
  • Excellent understanding of, and experience in executing, digital marketing strategies and activations to drive growth in stakeholder engagement and brand commercialization
  • Experience implementing SEO and SEM strategies
  • Experience creating project plans, managing timelines, planning effective meetings, and clear communication on next steps
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with non-standard working hours (evenings and weekends)
  • Strong relationships with local media outlets

Having these qualifications will set you apart

  • Ability to write well in French and English
  • Comfortable working in (sometimes hectic!) early stage/start-up organizations
  • Experience working in sports and/or entertainment organizations
  • Degree or diploma in communications, public relations, marketing or a relevant field.
  • Proficiency in photo and video editing software
  • Understanding of website analytics tools, such as Google Analytics
  • Analytical mind, with a passion for measuring data and using it to inform decision-making

Job Details

  • This is a full-time, permanent hybrid position that requires the candidate to be in Ottawa
  • Salary range is $75,000 – $85,000 plus a performance bonus and comprehensive health benefits. 

Please submit your cover letter and resume to jobs@rapidfc.ca, to the attention of Stephanie Spruston, Chief Operating Officer.