Community Relations Manager

Who we are: We’re the West Michigan Whitecaps, High-A Minor League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The Whitecaps are in the fun business, and our mission is to provide affordable family entertainment that strengthens the West Michigan community. We create memorable experiences by offering a fun, friendly and inclusive environment. We pride ourselves on our stellar customer service and our dedication to providing friendly faces, open minds, and our time and energy to our fans. We’ve been here for more than 30 years and are ready to be here for at least 30 more.

Why we want you:

We’re looking for a high-energy, organized and relationship-driven Community Relations Manager to join our team. You’ll serve as one of the principal ambassadors for the Whitecaps, helping strengthen our connection to the West Michigan community. You’re passionate about building relationships, developing creative community initiatives and making a positive impact. You’ll lead community-oriented promotions and fundraisers, manage the Whitecaps Community Foundation, oversee our mascot program for both game-day and non-game-day activities, and coordinate player and staff appearances. You’re a natural collaborator who can manage multiple projects, bring people together and turn good ideas into great experiences. This position reports to the Director of Marketing. You work hard, play nice and appreciate a good joke.

Why you want to work here:

We sum up our mission in three words: Fun. Community. Experiences. When you join our team, you become a part of our culture and our story – we’re small enough that you’ll have the ability to put your stamp on things. We’ve got an all-hands-on-deck mentality and pitch in when something needs done. We work very hard, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously; we realize how important things like puppy visits and staff happy hours are. Plus, besides the typical benefits, you also get generous paid time off, free baseball tickets (your friends will love you!), paid volunteer time, a free health club membership, and opportunities to get discounted or free tickets to various shows and events in West Michigan. We’re also pretty great people to work with.

What you’ll do:

You’ll lead community relations efforts that bring the Whitecaps into neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits and organizations throughout West Michigan. You’ll manage the Whitecaps Community Foundation, including fundraising initiatives, charitable giving and signature events like our Winter Banquet and Annual Golf Outing. You’ll take the lead on planning and executing community-oriented promotions, finding creative ways to recognize and celebrate the people and organizations that make our community special. You’ll also coordinate our entire mascot program, bringing together game-day entertainment, sponsor activations and non-game-day appearances. You’ll manage player, mascot and staff appearances, ballpark tours, community partnerships, volunteers and interns, while working with teams across the organization to make it all happen. You’ll help share the stories behind our community impact, track results and keep our programs moving forward. And, like the rest of us, you’ll wear a few different hats along the way – including helping with game-day and special-event responsibilities. Yes, that might mean helping with the field tarp. You’ll have fun doing it all!

What you need:

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit management, sports management or a related field, along with 3–5 years of relevant experience in community relations, nonprofit management, event management, sports or a related field. Experience developing community programs, managing partnerships and coordinating events is important, as are excellent communication, organizational and relationship-building skills. Experience leading interns, volunteers or seasonal staff is a plus. A background in professional sports, fundraising, community foundations or working with athletes is helpful, too. You should be comfortable juggling multiple projects, representing the Whitecaps in the community and working evenings, weekends and holidays, especially during baseball season. Spanish-language skills are a plus, and a strong baseball or sports knowledge certainly wouldn’t hurt!

Let’s do this:

If you’re ready to help us create meaningful experiences and make a difference throughout West Michigan, we look forward to getting to know you. Submit your resume and include a cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit. We’ll be in touch!

Here's the extra-innings info:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Full-time (40+ hours).

Hours will vary and include evenings, weekends, holidays and home games.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in the office, at LMCU Ballpark and throughout the West Michigan community. The position includes regular travel to community events, meetings and appearances, along with the flexibility to work from home when appropriate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

You’ll need the ability to move throughout LMCU Ballpark and community event locations as necessary. The position may require moving boxes up to 35 pounds, assisting with field tarp operations as assigned, and helping with event setup and teardown.

Whitecaps Professional Baseball provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.