Job Description

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and highly influential communications leader to serve as Head of Media Relations, Toronto Maple Leafs.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Communications, this role leads all media relations activities for the Toronto Maple Leafs while serving as a trusted advisor to the General Manager, Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations, coaching staff, and senior leadership team. The Head of Media Relations is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies that enhance and protect the reputation of one of the most recognized franchises in professional sports.

The incumbent leads a team of three media relations professionals while overseeing player, coach, executive, and organizational communications across all hockey operations activities, including games, practices, transactions, special events, league initiatives, and crisis situations. The role requires exceptional judgment, strategic thinking, relationship management skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, high-profile environment.

Key Accountabilities
Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute the comprehensive media relations strategy for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the General Manager, Senior Executive Advisor and Hockey Operations leadership team.
• Provide strategic counsel on Club announcements, player transactions, team initiatives, league matters, and reputation management issues.
• Partner with the Senior Vice President, Communications to align team communications strategies with broader MLSE corporate objectives.
• Lead communications planning for key moments throughout the hockey calendar, including training camp, regular season, playoffs, NHL Draft, free agency, trade deadlines, coaching changes, and major organizational announcements.

Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Oversee all media relations activities involving players, coaches, executives, and team personnel.
• Manage media access for approximately 100+ games, practices, community events, and club-related initiatives annually.
• Direct the planning and execution of high-volume media interviews, availabilities, and media interactions throughout the season.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and international media.
• Develop proactive storytelling opportunities that elevate the Toronto Maple Leafs brand and organizational reputation.
• Monitor emerging issues and media narratives, providing strategic recommendations and responsive communications approaches.

Executive & Hockey Operations Advisory

• Act as a key member of the Toronto Maple Leafs leadership team, representing Communications in strategic discussions.
• Provide communications guidance and coaching to the General Manager, coaching staff, players, and hockey operations leaders.
• Support executive media appearances, press conferences, and public engagements.
• Partner closely with Hockey Operations to ensure communications strategies appropriately support organizational objectives while maintaining transparency and trust.

Crisis & Issues Management

• Lead team-related communications strategy during sensitive, complex, or high-risk issues.
• Develop and execute crisis communications plans and response protocols.
• Assess reputational risks and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Coordinate communications responses involving the NHL, NHLPA, agents, players, and other external stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent messaging and effective stakeholder communications during high-profile issues.

Player Communications & Media Training

• Oversee player communications programs, including media preparation and training.
• Develop strategies that help players and coaches effectively communicate with media, fans, and stakeholders.
• Support young players and emerging leaders in developing communication skills.
• Ensure consistent messaging and positive media interactions across the organization.

League & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as the primary communications liaison with the NHL and related league stakeholders.
• Manage communications requirements related to league initiatives, policies, and major events.
• Maintain productive relationships with player agents, league officials, broadcast partners, and industry partners.
• Coordinate with NHL communications teams on league-wide initiatives and announcements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of media relations professionals.
• Establish departmental priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture focused on service excellence.
• Support succession planning and professional development initiatives.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Content, Community, Partnerships, Digital, Legal, and Hockey Operations.

Qualifications
Education & Experience

• University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive communications and media relations experience.
• Significant leadership experience within professional sports, entertainment, media, communications, or related industries.
• Experience advising senior executives and operating in highly visible public-facing environments.
• Experience managing sensitive issues and crisis communications situations

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep understanding of professional sports communications, media landscapes, and stakeholder management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and public relations skills.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to influence and build credibility with executives, coaches, athletes, agents, and media.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of NHL operations, governance structures, and media environment is strongly preferred.

Success Measures

• Positive media sentiment and reputation indicators for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Effective management of high-profile issues and reputational risks.
• Quality and consistency of communications strategy and execution.
• Strong relationships with media, league, and hockey operations stakeholders.
• Leadership effectiveness and team engagement.
• Successful delivery of communications support throughout key hockey and business initiatives.

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

165,000-215,000

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