The Manager of Communications will work closely with the VP of Communications to expand Fire’s day to day media coverage in the Chicago market and establish credibility with national media.

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary contact for day-to-day media inquiries
• Build/maintain relationships with reporters who cover Fire day to day and make weekly check ins with sports program directors
• Develop content for various Fire publications (Freekick, game day rosters, media guide and Insider as needed) with assistance from interns
• Work in coordination with the VP of communications on developing and pitching stories to national and local media
• Oversee press box operations on game day
• Assist VP of communications with New Media opportunities and content development as needed
• Serve as primary contact with Spanish language media
• Manage all media contact lists

Day to day media inquiries:

• Primary point of contact for reporter email and phone inquiries
• Proactively communicate day to day with media about coverage opportunities, including practice, pre-game stories, game storylines, community relations events, etc.
• Pitch, develop and deliver video and audio content to reporters and program directors with assistance from interns

Content development for Fire publications:

• Develop ideas with the VP of Communications for content in various publications including Freekick, Insider and game day rosters and draft content with assistance from interns

Media pitches:

• Develop ideas week to week for pitches to media in coordination with the VP of Communications.
• Make pitches to the media and develop any research or storyline points for pitches.

Game day responsibilities:

• Responsible for all credential and game-day media relations needs w/assistance from interns
• Serve as official statistician and oversee stats crew and game day volunteers
• Facilitate HT or post game broadcast interviews when needed
• Draft post-game release
• Serve as primary media representative on road trips

New Media:

• As needed, assist VP of Communications with development content for website, en fuego, twitter, Facebook and other New Media mediums.
• Post video and photos to en fuego and website
• Update all roster information including player bios, stats, etc.

Spanish media liaison:

• Serve as primary contact with Spanish language media for day to day inquiries, pitches, etc.

Media lists:

• Update all media lists (email lists, contact lists, etc) on a regular basis with assistance from interns

Other duties/responsibilities:

• As assigned by VP of Communications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Bilingual language skills (English & Spanish) required
• At least three years experience of public relations experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong understanding of the game of soccer; including plays, stats and history required
• Prior experience with posting content on websites and social media sites
• Willingness to learn in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work flexible hours, including but not limited to evenings, weekends and holidays
• Strong computer proficiency

Please submit your cover letter (including salary requirements) and resume for consideration. 

Fan Relations Coordinators are responsible for implementing the Chicago Fire “FAN FIRST” game day experience and relationship management.

Job Responsibilities:

• Improve year over year client experience and retention rates - actively work toward meeting the department renewal goal (Suites, Club Seats, Full Season Ticket and Ten Game Plan Renewals)
• Drive up-sells, add-ons and referral sales from defined account base
• Build strong relationships with defined account base through proactive communication, including seat/suite visits, touch points, phone calls, emails, dinners, events and other communication channels, as part of the “FAN FIRST” care model
• Fan Relations, led by the Manager, will develop and execute a proactive “FAN FIRST” care model for all Fire fans, be responsible for direct one-on-one communication with fans, work in concert with all departments in setting baseline “FAN FIRST” level of connection with Fire fans. Additionally, Fan Relations will serve as the primary communication outlet on all matters related to Chicago Fire Season Ticket Holders.
• Focus on “FAN FIRST” game day experience improvements and work closely with Marketing to ensure consistent approach between “game day program” and one-on-one interactions with fans
• Anticipate, respond to, and resolve all complaints, requests, and inquiries from defined account base; handle difficult clients and situations in a calm and professional manner, ensuring that each client interaction results in increased loyalty to the team
• Maintain up to date knowledge and effectively and enthusiastically communicate all team happenings, events, member benefits and arena details that are relevant to defined account base
• Ensure customer and account data and profile requirements are accurate and complete
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of products we offer and learn to ask targeted questions to better understand the Fire fan base in order to offer the best benefits possible
• Assist in executing customized programs, benefits and events to drive loyalty with defined account base
• Professionally present yourself as the “go to” person for defined account base
• Work closely with the Sales and Marketing to understand how we are selling, packaging and advertising our products so that we send a consistent message into the marketplace
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Manager of Fan Relations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Bilingual language (English & Spanish) strongly preferred
• At least two years experience of premium client relationship management
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, customer services and organization skills
• Willingness to learn in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work flexible hours, including but not limited to evenings, weekends and holidays
• Strong computer proficiency

Please submit your cover letter (including salary requirements) and resume for consideration.

To assist the Team’s Finance and Operations Management with completion of monthly close, annual budgets, journal entries, reconciliations, accounts payable processing, financial and sales reports and ad hoc financial analysis.

Job Responsibilities:
• Assist with month end closing procedures, including journal entry preparation for various activities such as ticket revenue recognition, sponsorship revenue recognition, merchandise sales and prepaid expenses
• Responsible for daily cash management with cash from invoices, box office and merchandise sales, and prepare monthly bank reconciliations
• Verify and post entries to subsidiary and general ledger accounts, including trial balance analysis
• Perform analysis of balance sheet accounts and prepare account reconciliations including reconciling deferred ticket revenue to ticket sales database and merchandise inventory to sales reports
• Detail processing for accounts payable invoices and expense reports
• Improve vendor relationships and manage contracts while searching for expense improvements
• Assist with league-reporting packages and prepare and analyze ticket sales report
• Evaluate and identify areas of potential exposure and internal control weakness
• Detailed department involvement in preparation of annual budget.
• Complete ad hoc financial analysis and special projects as assigned
• Assist with event settlements and end of the year stadium settlement

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• 3 to 5 years accounting experience in a small to mid sized accounting firm or corporate environment
• Strong analytical skills with proven experience in Excel spreadsheet modeling
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain interdepartmental relationships
• Effective time management skills
• QuickBooks general ledger software experience is a plus
• Box Office accounting experience is a plus

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