Communications Coordinator, Chicago Fire Soccer

[imjustagirl]

http://mls.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=21780

Job Responsibilities:

• Write match game previews for media distribution and Chicago-Fire.com
• Write most press releases and game notes with approval and supervision of Director of Media Relations
• Assist with generation of team media guide, meeting production deadlines
• Help PR staff maintain multi-media content (MP3, Podcasts, video show) for Fire.com
• Travel to assigned preseason training designations, MLS SuperDraft and PR meetings
• Research and pitch story/features ideas to beat writers, national and non-traditional media, with coordination and communication from Director of Media Relations
• Day of game supervision and oversight of statistics crew in press box
• Assist Director of Media Relations with production calls and meetings with on air TV talent and broadcasters.
• Work in conjunction with rest of PR team to build and maintain relationships with major media outlets in Chicago. This includes station visits, day of game invitations, phone calls, e-mails and general relationship building strategies.

Preference will be given to those candidates with a Communications, PR or Journalism degree.

1-2 years of related experience is preferred.



Salary: $30,000-$34,999

Note: When you apply for this job online, you will be required to answer the following questions:

1. Yes/No. I have a bachelors degree in a related field.

I know nothing of Bridgeview or the COL therein. But figured I'd post this.

 

[ServeItUp]

A search reveals the Fire were looking for a VP of Communications in February. The successful applicant also will be working with a fairly new boss. Full disclosure, is all...

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53319/

 

[wicked]

Though the pay blows for living in a major market, this sounds like a really cool gig.

 

[The Cubby Bear]

Gregg Elkin is the VP of Communication ... and from what I've heard, he sounds like a good enough guy.

The pay is low, but 30-35k is actually really competitive for a number 4 media relations contact - and unless something is restructured in their office, I believe this will be a number 4 position.

There are plenty of nice towns in the Chicago area that would be affordable with this paycheck ...

 

[Nola4520]

FYI--
Gregg Elkin will leave the Fire once the postseason is over to go back to the Dallas area as director of athletic communications at Texas-Arlington, so I'm not sure how the Fire will restructure its PR department.

 

[The Cubby Bear]

An interesting twist to the plot...

 

[Cubbie Blue]

Has applications for this position already passed? The link does not direct you to this job.

 

[imjustagirl]

Apparently so. I followed the link and actually clicked on a couple things to get me to the Fire page, and all the listings are for internships now.

 

[friend of a friend]

Gregg Elkin is the VP of Communication ... and from what I've heard, he sounds like a good enough guy.

The pay is low, but 30-35k is actually really competitive for a number 4 media relations contact - and unless something is restructured in their office, I believe this will be a number 4 position.

There are plenty of nice towns in the Chicago area that would be affordable with this paycheck ...

The same Gregg Elkin who was the basketball SID at Indiana?

If so, uhh, never mind.

 

[playthrough]

My first experiences as a journo dealing with an SID were with Elkin while at IU. During soccer season he was terrific, during basketball season not so much, but in that case I think he was just mirroring his boss, Mr. Knight.

 

[friend of a friend]

My first experiences as a journo dealing with an SID were with Elkin while at IU. During soccer season he was terrific, during basketball season not so much, but in that case I think he was just mirroring his boss, Mr. Knight.

Agreed.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

My first experiences as a journo dealing with an SID were with Elkin while at IU. During soccer season he was terrific, during basketball season not so much, but in that case I think he was just mirroring his boss, Mr. Knight.

Agreed.

Thirded. He wasn't too tough on baseball either, though he loved to make fun of the student radio announcers.

 

[The Cubby Bear]

Anyone who has ever worked in media relations understands that you are often times the punching bag for the head coach or manager ... it can take a toll and make you miserable during the season.

..also... about this job posting being pulled from teamworkonline. Just speculating, but if Gregg Elkin has taken a new position at Texas-Arlington the Fire might want to bring in a new VP of Communications before hiring a lower-level member of the communications team.

Just a thought.

 

[playthrough]

My first experiences as a journo dealing with an SID were with Elkin while at IU. During soccer season he was terrific, during basketball season not so much, but in that case I think he was just mirroring his boss, Mr. Knight.

Agreed.

Thirded. He wasn't too tough on baseball either, though he loved to make fun of the student radio announcers.

Ha, you're right. I can only imagine what he must have said during my one foray into radio, a soccer game my sophomore year that showed in a hurry that my future wasn't going to be behind a microphone.

 

[pallister]

There are plenty of nice towns in the Chicago area that would be affordable with this paycheck ...

Huh?

 

[Dickens Cider]

There are plenty of nice towns in the Chicago area that would be affordable with this paycheck ...

Huh?

Yeah, that jumped out at me, too.

 

[friend of a friend]

I assume "the Chicago area" must be a radius of 200 miles.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

There are plenty of nice towns in the Chicago area that would be affordable with this paycheck if you marry rich or have multiple roommates

Fixed.

 

[pallister]

All I know is I was paying $900 for a 1BR apt. in an average suburb of Chicago -- in 2001.

 

[Mark2010]

All I know is I was paying $900 for a 1BR apt. in an average suburb of Chicago -- in 2001.

Good heavens. Did that come with maid service, gold fixtures in the bathroom and a massage bed? Maybe a mistress on the side? $900 per month for a one-bedroom?!!?