The Senior Marketing and Communications Manager is a senior strategic and commercially accountable role responsible for growing the Central Coast Mariners brand, audiences, engagement and revenue through integrated marketing, content, media and communications activity.

The role leads marketing across the Club’s key business areas, including membership, ticketing, corporate hospitality, retail, partnerships and matchdays. It also owns the Club’s content channels, media relationships and communications, ensuring the Mariners tell compelling stories, maintain a strong public profile and communicate with a clear and consistent voice.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring the successful candidate to set the strategy while actively contributing to content production, campaign delivery, media management and matchday operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, execute and lead the Club’s marketing and communications strategy, aligned with its business, football, commercial and brand objectives.
• Set annual priorities, plans and performance targets covering brand growth, audiences, engagement, attendance, revenue and campaign outcomes.
• Lead integrated marketing strategies supporting membership, ticketing, corporate hospitality, retail, matchdays, community programs and commercial partnerships.
• Own and protect the Mariners brand, providing strategic direction across positioning, visual identity, tone of voice, messaging and public representation.
• Use data audience insights, campaign results, market research industry trends and technological advancements to identify efficiencies, growth opportunities and guide investment.
• Set the Club’s content, media and channel strategy, providing the Media Manager and Graphic Designer with clear priorities, creative direction and performance expectations.
• Oversee major campaigns, announcements and high-profile content while empowering the Media Manager to lead day-to-day content, media relations, digital channels and matchday media operations.
• Work with the Commercial team and Club partners to develop marketing and activation strategies that deliver measurable value and support new business opportunities.
• Provide strategic communications advice and oversee key messaging for players, coaches, the Chief Executive Officer, senior executives and the Chair.
• Lead the Club’s response to sensitive or reputational matters and maintain senior relationships with key local, national and football media.
• Lead and develop the Media Manager and Graphic Designer, ensuring responsibilities, workflows, approvals and performance expectations are clear.
• Manage the departmental budget, resources, agencies and suppliers, ensuring activity delivers measurable value and return on investment.
• Monitor and report on marketing, audience, digital, media and campaign performance, using insights to improve future activity.
• Ensure all marketing and communications activity is accurate, professional and compliant with legal, privacy, safeguarding, league, competition and Club requirements.

SOFT SKILLS

• Strategic and commercially minded, with the ability to connect marketing and communications activity to audience growth and revenue.
• A creative and engaging storyteller with a strong understanding of supporters, media and digital audiences.
• Calm and decisive in fast-moving, high-pressure media and matchday environments.
• A credible and collaborative leader who can build trusted relationships with players, coaches, executives, partners and media.
• Proactive, organised and accountable, with strong judgement and attention to detail.
• Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on content creation and delivery.
• Discreet and trustworthy when managing confidential, sensitive or reputational matters.
• Flexible and prepared to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as required by the football calendar.
• Practical experience producing high-quality video, photography and written content is desirable

HARD AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Relevant tertiary qualification in marketing, communications, journalism, media, public relations or a related discipline is desirable.
• At least six years’ experience in marketing, media, communications, content or related roles, including leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering integrated marketing and audience-growth strategies.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with experience producing media releases, statements, campaign copy and briefing documents.
• Proven experience managing media relationships, press conferences, interviews and sensitive communications.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms, digital publishing, content management systems and audience analytics.
• Practical experience producing high-quality video, photography and written content.
• Demonstrated ability to develop budgets, manage suppliers and report against commercial and performance targets.
• Experience managing employees, contractors, agencies and creative production workflows.
• Experience in professional sport, football, entertainment or a similarly fast-paced industry is highly regarded.
• Knowledge of football and the Central Coast community is desirable.
• A current driver’s licence and Working with Children Check, or the ability to obtain one.