[FANATICS] Sr. Manager, Public Relations

Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards.

THE ROLE

As Senior Manager, Public Relations, you’ll play a pivotal role in defining and executing the external communications strategy for Fanatics Collectibles. You’ll partner cross-functionally across marketing, creative, product, and executive teams, while owning proactive media relations, reputation management, storytelling, and crisis communication. This is a high-impact, strategic role that also requires excellence in tactical execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Partner with the Collectibles Public Relations and Corporate Communications on PR and Communications strategies for brand, product, partnerships, and executive visibility initiatives.

  • Lead the development and execution of PR campaigns that drive awareness, brand equity, and thought leadership.

  • Own press material creation, including pitches, media alerts, press releases, FAQs, and executive talking points.

  • Foster strong relationships with key media contacts across consumer, lifestyle, business, and trade verticals.

  • Secure meaningful media coverage and feature stories across earned media channels.

  • Lead agency partners and internal collaborators to support campaign development, launches, and media execution.

  • Monitor media coverage and industry trends, identifying opportunities to insert the brand into timely conversations.

  • Support crisis communication planning and issues management in partnership with executive leadership and legal.

  • Collaborate with creative and content teams on campaign messaging and editorial storytelling across channels.

  • Manage team workflows, timelines, and deliverables to ensure high-quality execution on deadlines.

  • Participate in key company meetings and brand partnership discussions as a communications advisor.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Familiarity with crisis communications and corporate reputation management.

  • Proven success developing and executing integrated PR campaigns that drive measurable results.

  • 7+ years of experience in public relations, ideally at both agency and in-house roles within consumer, lifestyle, or entertainment brands.

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling stories across channels.

  • Strong media relations experience, with established contacts and a history of securing high-impact coverage.

  • Experience navigating fast-paced, high-growth environments and balancing strategic priorities with hands-on execution.

  • A collaborative mindset with strong cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.

  • Deep cultural curiosity and awareness of media and consumer trends.

Role is based in New York.

Jaia Thomas