Senior Publicist

ESPN Communications is a collaborative, fast-paced, and highly strategic organization responsible for shaping and amplifying the company’s narrative across all platforms – linear, digital, audio, streaming, social, and corporate. The team supports every major ESPN business and works closely with partners across The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Entertainment, Product & Technology, Corporate Communications, Platform Distribution, and Marketing.

As ESPN continues transforming the fan experience and expanding its leadership in the sports marketplace, the Communications team plays a central role in developing messaging, launching new products and content offerings, managing issues, guiding executive visibility, and protecting and elevating the brand.

About the Role

The Senior Publicist, ESPN Soccer, Global Sports & Andscape will lead communications and publicity strategy for ESPN’s soccer portfolio, while also supporting day-to-day communications for Global Sports and Andscape.

This role is responsible for driving proactive storytelling and media engagement around ESPN’s soccer coverage, including major global events, leagues, studio programming, and talent, while elevating ESPN’s position as a leading destination for soccer fans in the U.S. and globally.

In addition, the role supports ongoing communications for Global Sports initiatives and Andscape, as well as select priority properties, including ESPN Deportes, espnW, Athletes Unlimited, combat sports, and Andscape Films, helping to shape narratives that highlight ESPN’s breadth of coverage, cultural impact, and leadership across diverse audiences, voices, and sports.

The Senior Publicist will develop and execute strategic communications plans, manage press outreach across sports, culture, and business media, and create messaging and materials that support key programming, tentpole events, and editorial initiatives. This role will also partner closely with internal stakeholders across Programming, Production, Editorial, Marketing, Research, and Talent, as well as colleagues across Disney and external league partners.

The position requires a strong, proactive communicator who can balance long-lead storytelling with rapid-response execution, navigate a global sports landscape, and translate complex programming and editorial priorities into clear, compelling narratives.

This position can be based in Bristol or New York.

Soccer Communications & Publicity

• Lead communications strategy and publicity efforts for ESPN’s soccer portfolio, including global events (e.g., LaLiga, international competitions), leagues, studio programming, and talent
• Drive proactive storytelling that positions ESPN as a leading destination for soccer coverage in the U.S. and globally
• Develop and execute strategic media campaigns around key tentpoles, match windows, and major announcements
• Cultivate strong relationships with sports, business, and international media to amplify coverage and shape narratives
• Identify and elevate storylines around talent, production innovation, access, and audience growth

Global Sports Communications

• Support day-to-day communications for ESPN’s Global Sports portfolio, helping to align messaging across regions and properties
• Partner with international teams to ensure consistency in global narratives while allowing for local market nuance
• Assist in the development of press materials and announcements tied to global sports rights, programming, and strategic initiatives
• Help drive cross-border storytelling that reinforces ESPN’s global brand positioning and reach
• Collaborate effectively across multiple time zones, demonstrating flexibility to support global teams, announcements, and live sports moments

Ongoing Communications Responsibilities

• Draft press releases, messaging documents, media pitches, executive briefing materials, and internal communications
• Manage media relations, including building targeted lists, handling inquiries, and securing meaningful coverage across sports, culture, and business outlets
• Prepare executives and talent for interviews, media appearances, and key speaking opportunities
• Support issue management and crisis communications as needed
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Programming, Production, Editorial, Marketing, Research, Talent teams, and external league partners  
• Monitor media coverage, industry trends, and competitive landscape to inform strategy and identify opportunities
• Generate consistent, creative story ideas that elevate ESPN’s coverage, talent, and brand positioning

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in communications, PR, or media relations.
• Exceptional writing skills and proven ability to manage high-stakes, deadline-driven communications.
• Strong understanding of the global soccer landscape, including key leagues, competitions, and storylines
• Familiarity with the broader global sports ecosystem and ability to navigate international narratives and stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with executives, partners, and media
• Comfort working in a 24/7 news cycle and supporting early mornings, nights, or weekends as needed.
• Proficient with media monitoring tools, digital platforms, and basic design or video editing tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in communications or PR supporting streaming, sports, technology, media, or digital products.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse markets and media
• Familiarity with ESPN’s brand, soccer portfolio, global sports footprint, and the wider Disney ecosystem
• Ability to understand and explain ratings, audience measurement, and data-driven insights.
• A genuine passion for sports and entertainment, with an understanding of how fans engage with content across platforms.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $78,200 to $101,200 per year and in Bristol, CT is $74,630 to $95,580 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.