Media Relations Executive (US Sports)

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the department leadership team, you’ll be pitching US-focused content, reactive angles, and campaign stories to journalists and editors across UK, US, and international publications that cover major North American leagues and trending sporting culture.
• We are looking for someone who genuinely lives and breathes US sports.
• From a media-first perspective, you will also provide creative input on content—including athlete/expert quotes, reactive data pieces, and organic PR stories—identifying where US sports cross over into mainstream news, entertainment, and our consumer department.
• Due to the nature of the North American sports calendar and time zone differences, this role will require frequent midweek evening and weekend work, with occasional demand for irregular hours when major US events break.
• PBPR is a market leader in the betting and gaming industry and works predominantly with brands in the space. However, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work with other sporting clients and on our brand, creative, and sponsorship activations.

Requirements

• Location & Eligibility: Must be based in the UK with existing right to work, and able to work in our Barbican (central London) office at least three days per week.
• At least one year’s experience as a sports journalist at a mainstream online news publication or in-agency with experience of working in sports digital PR.
• Demonstrable, deep-rooted knowledge of North American sports—primarily the NFL, NBA, and MLB—and a sharp understanding of how they are covered across digital media in the UK, the US, and internationally.
• Distinct Advantage: Strong knowledge of, experience with, or a genuine passion for ice hockey / the NHL .
• An active network of sports journalists, digital editors, US sports correspondents, and beat writers, with the proactive drive to continuously expand your media lists.
• Strong understanding of the North American sporting calendar, season schedules, trade deadlines, and draft cycles to spot coverage hooks.
• Ability and creative flair to respond to trending topics, working with our content team to produce research, hooky pitches, and fast-turnaround stories.
• Ability to react quickly and efficiently to real-time overnight US news cycles and breaking results.
• Strong editorial judgement in sport, trending digital culture, and SEO/link-building hooks.
• Ability to draft strong, clean editorial copy, pitch emails, and press releases.

Preferred

• An understanding of SEO, digital PR, and link-building tactics.
• Experience covering North American sports beats or working on a dedicated US sports desk.
• Experience working in sports PR agency-side or in-house with betting and gaming clients.
• Qualifications relevant to journalism or PR (e.g. NCTJ qualifications).

Benefits

• Enhanced private pension
• BUPA cash plan, enhanced sick pay, and death in service cover
• 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Annual leave increases by one full day each year worked for up to five years
• Bonus birthday day off
• Cycle to work scheme
• Juno credits – choose your own benefit to spend on wellness perks of your choice
• Annual training budget