Director, Communications

Job Description

Join the newest addition to the WNBA family as we bring professional women’s basketball to Canada! The Toronto Tempo is the WNBA’s 14th franchise and first Canadian team set to tip off in May 2026. We are a team that unites and inspires everyone through our core values of integrity, growth, and joy. Our team is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the court. We are committed to empowering our players, engaging our fans, and making a positive impact in our community. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, Communications reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer to lead the team’s public-facing public relations efforts along with leading projects within the marketing department.

Job Summary:

The Director, Communications will be the voice of the Tempo franchise. This individual will lead the development and execution of the team’s internal and external communications strategies, manage media relations, shape the public narrative, and ensure our brand is authentically represented across public platforms. This is a foundational leadership role in a dynamic, high-profile environment, ideal for a strategic thinker and passionate storyteller. The Director, Communications is interested in telling great stories about our players and our organization, able to manage relationships with stakeholders, ranging from the WNBA to our valued partners to the media, and committed to providing an exceptional level of service.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communications Leadership
• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies to support the team’s brand, executive leadership, players, community programs, and key initiatives.
• Serve as the chief media spokesperson and manage the team’s public-facing messaging across external channels.
• Media Relations & Press
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, national, and international media.
• Plan and execute press conferences, interviews, media availabilities, and post-game coverage.
• Manage media accreditation and logistics for games, events, and press opportunities.
• Support team and player initiatives both on and off the court via press opportunities.
• Produce and edit all team information, including press releases, media guides, and game notes.
• Lead on major projects, such as media day, training camp, the WNBA Draft, WNBA All-Star, WNBA Playoffs, season-end awards, and other initiatives as required.
• Act as liaison between the WNBA’s media team and the Tempo, ensuring that all league processes and requirements are exceeded.
• Hire and manage the team’s statistics crew, ensuring coverage for all home games and as needed.
• Cultivate strong relationships with player agents to ensure all public-facing goals are reached.
• Act as a key member of the Tempo’s management team, contributing to strategic discussion and initiatives involving direction, risk management, brand enhancement, and media trends.
• Internal & Executive Communications
• Draft speeches, remarks, and key messages for team executives and ownership.
• Coordinate internal communication strategies to align all stakeholders around team priorities and culture.
• Crisis & Issues Management
• Lead communications response during high-stakes or sensitive situations.
• Serve as point of contact for reputation and brand management issues.
• Brand Voice & Storytelling
• Collaborate with Marketing, Digital, and Community Engagement teams to ensure messaging consistency to elevate the Tempo’s story.
• Support player-led storytelling and media training.
• Create and manage a media monitoring program.
• WNBA Season Game Day
• Lead the accreditation process and game night press room procedures and manage game day and in-game logistics for all media and broadcasters, while acting as the team’s main information conduit for statistical and injury updates.
• Lead and manage home game media workspaces including press room.
• Create a process around pre- and post-game media for players and coaches.
• Serve as the point of contact for all in-game stats for social and broadcast teams.
• Serve as the point of contact for all media outlets covering team home games.
• Team Management
• Help establish and maintain a positive team culture, ensuring good communication between marketing, players, basketball operations, coaching staff, and management.
• Manage direct reports in future years and provide them with support and mentorship in their role.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations or a related field is required.
• 10+ years of experience in sports communications, public relations, media, or related fields.
• Proven track record of managing press relations and communications for a professional sports organization or equivalent.
• Knowledge of WNBA, women’s basketball, or the Canadian sports market considered an asset.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; strong editorial judgment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience with crisis communications and high-profile spokesperson work.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in storytelling and media engagement.
• Experience working with and managing external agencies is desired.
• Deep knowledge of the local, national and international sports media, and a strong understanding of social and digital platforms.
• Given the nature of the role and working within a sports team, you will be required to work some evenings, nights, and weekends to ensure all job responsibilities are met and align with the organizational needs.
• Must legally be able to work in Canada.
• Confidentiality – ability to keep confidentiality and to practice discretion.
• Adaptability – flexible in the face of change, maintains a positive demeanor, can handle conflicting priorities without loss of composure.
• Organization – can plan and schedule activities and workload optimally.
• Proactivity – can foresee multiple outcomes and acts to prevent problems.
• Communication– listening skills, oral and written verbal skills; telephone and email.
• Service Driven – interacts positively with executives, clients, customers, guests, and peers.
• Business Acumen – understands the business needs of the end users and uses this understanding to anticipate needs.
• Team Player - handles responsibilities well as part of a group and when solely responsible for a task or outcome.
• Judgement - able to make reasonable decisions as needed in the absence of direction, refers issues to another appropriate person in a timely manner, can be trusted to work without constant or direct supervision.

Why Join Us:

• Be a part of the historic launch of the first WNBA team in Canada.
• Work in a dynamic and supportive environment with opportunities for growth and development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth of women’s sports in Canada.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio materials as one file via LinkedIn. We are accepting applications until Monday September 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM EST.

Toronto Tempo is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable laws.

We’re inviting interested candidates to apply and join a team focused on launching Canada’s first WNBA franchise.