Overview

The Associate Development Program is a paid 12-month full-time (temporary) experience designed for new or recent graduates who are looking to gain sports experience. The format allows for structured professional development and hands-on learning.

The Football Communications Associate will support the Football Communication department. The Football Communications department’s primary function is to be a conduit between the media and our players and coaches. As part of this process, the team provides media training for team personnel and manages all interview requests. The department is also responsible for writing press materials and compiling statistical information throughout the year. The ideal candidate will have strong writing skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. This is based primarily at our headquarters – Halas Hall – in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Program Dates: Friday, June 2, 2023 – Friday, May 24, 2024

Who We Are

As one of the founding franchises of the NFL, family is the core of who we are. We’re different from other companies. Our people represent a vast array of cultural backgrounds, human experiences and perspectives and we believe they, collectively and as authentic individuals, are our greatest resource. Our working environment is one where your talent and contributions are valued by the organization and the community. We believe every person matters and we can collectively achieve success through integrity, respect, a team-first mentality, open communication, and trust.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Chicago Bears organization continues to deepen its commitment to establishing an inclusive, equitable work environment that reflects the diversity within our communities and fan base. We value, respect, and appreciate diversity at all levels, on and off the field, and are guided by a vision of success that includes integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into our club's DNA and culture.

As such, we recognize the additional hurdles marginalized communities may face when applying for a job. Don’t meet every requirement for the role but feel you have many of the skills needed? Please apply! Our culture is rooted in providing the resources needed for all staff to succeed, including job specific training. We want you to help us achieve our goals and to be part of one of the most storied franchises in all of sport.

Responsibilities

• Team Media Coordination
  • Work with assigned players on management/preparation of weekly interviews including local media, conference calls, production meetings, national media requests and post-game availability.
  • Assist coaches with projects that may arise (focus on roster and statistical projects)
• Local Media Coordination
  • Assist daily local media with their coverage of the organization through facilitation of interviews in a timely manner and pitching team-related storylines and background information on members of the organization.
  • Create spreadsheet outlining all media requests and distribute internally during training camp and other weeks during the season by request
  • Open locker room
    • Team with the rest of the Football Communications staff to help oversee daily (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) open locker room period, allowing media access for 45 minutes.
  • Virtual Press Conference moderator
• Conference Calls
  • Handle execution of all conference calls
  • Email audio of opponent conference calls to MR and coaches/personnel as needed
  • Transcribe calls for select coaches/personnel
• Clips
  • Collect local clips electronically and drop into clips template
    • Email set of clips to specific clips lists based on content included
  • Collect clips of upcoming opponent electronically and drop into clips template
    • Email clips to coaches/personnel
  • Compile feature clips over course of training camp/in-season
• NFL Stats
  • Take team stats email from Elias, format into 8.5x11 and make one-page of updated Bears and upcoming opponent on Monday morning following Sunday game (update if Bears or opponent plays on Monday night). Email and print out to coaches and personnel
  • Email and print on 8.5x11 the previous game books of Bears and upcoming opponent on Monday morning (update if Bears or opponent plays on Monday night)…distribute to coaches and personnel
  • Email and print the NFLGSIS flip card of upcoming opponent from previous game on Monday morning (update if opponent plays on Monday night)… distribute to coaches and personnel
  • Take weekly stats email from Elias, format into 8.5x11, email and print every Monday AND Tuesday morning for distribution to coaches and personnel
• Publications
  • Rosters
    • Print rosters for media prior to each practice day (place on desks and extras on table in media room)
  • Game Program
    • Work with other departments for content of fixed pages prior to the start of season
    • Update non-fixed pages for each program (work with other departments to give deadlines for content)
    • Oversee proofreading and confirmation of all changes on non-fixed pages
    • Find Bears pictures each week for different sections
    • Find Opponent picture each week for different sections
  • Weekly Game Release
    • Assist director of football communications with assigned sections of the weekly release
    • Help proofread all sections
    • Assist with FedEx/UPS overnight shipment to networks, opposing team and home radio
• Game Day Management (Will not travel to road games)
  • Bring all materials (flip cards, notes, seating cards, seating charts, etc.) to Soldier Field
  • Set up Press box
  • Communicate inactives for both home and visiting team to coaches, content and PR.
  • In-game sideline contact
  • Assist with potential on-field postgame interviews and making sure players get to locker room in a timely manner
  • Assist with potential on-field postgame interviews
  • Assist with postgame locker room media access
  • Remain at Soldier Field to assist with media (approximately 2-3 hours after game)
• Photo requests
  • Work with the football communications assistant to ensure all outside photo requests are being handled.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• College graduate with a concentration in Communications, Public Relations or related background
• Strong writing skills; proven experience in use of AP style preferred
• Basic understanding of Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Must be dependable, flexible and able to adapt to a variety of situations and personalities
• Must be able to effectively work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment and demonstrate the ability to juggle multiple projects. Organization and time management skills are critical to the success of this role.
• Must be able to work at least 40 hours per week including nights and weekends
• Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings. This includes working all home and away games, in addition to the entirety of team training camp.
• Experience with football statistics and statistic websites a plus
• Previous experience with an NFL club, or major college program a plus, but not required
• Experience with social media a plus
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator a plus
• Ability to develop strong media relationships, both locally and nationally

What We Offer

We remain committed to upholding the standard of being a first-class organization and employer of choice. Our goal is to provide quality support and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our most important resource, our people.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Our Associate Program offerings include but are not limited to:

• Paid Holidays
• Paid PTO (5 days) & Sick Time (2 days)
• Complimentary Bears gear kit
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks
• Access to onsite gym facilities + Bears Fit
• Eligible for medical insurance
• Networking opportunities
• And more

CORE CURRICULUM

• Quarterly programming & professional development
• Assignment of a “buddy” from another department
• Formal check-ins for Associates and managers through surveys and live conversations
• Two Associate dedicated social events
• Associate dedicated Microsoft Teams chat

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Chicago Bears Football Club, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.