Could you be our Sport Communications Consultant?
Consultancy description: Sport Communications Consultant
Location: remote; international travel required to attend events
Annual fee range: $70K-$85K; up to five+ days/week at busy periods
Start date: January 5, 2026
Project period: initially one year contract, with desire to extend annually up to end of July 2029 for the right consultant
Our impact
Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing is more than just a performance offshore sailboat racing team - we are a community driven by passion, excellence, and a commitment to making a positive impact both on and off the water. We believe in the power of sport to inspire change, bring people together, and drive meaningful social initiatives. Sustainability is the bedrock of everything we do within the team, across environmental, social, and governance principles.
While Francesca and her team are racing, we will also be seeking out and implementing solutions to incorporate Belonging into the sport of sailing and beyond.
We are sponsored by 11th Hour Racing, the global organization which works with sports, maritime, and coastal communities to inspire solutions for the ocean.
Could you consult for us on our sport communications?
We are looking for a strategic and resourceful Sport Communications Consultant to shape and amplify the voice of Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing in the global media, with partners and key stakeholders, and our community networks. The consultant will lead the development of external communications, press relations, and storytelling campaigns that highlight Francesca’s dual focus as an elite sport athlete along with our positive social and environmental impact through the Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign.
You will be responsible for bringing to life our performance sports team, sharing our racing campaign, and telling the story of Francesca and the wider team within the media. As Sport Communications Consultant, you will ensure consistent and impactful messaging across press, partners, and stakeholders, sharing both our on and off the water activity, demonstrating our leadership in both competitive sailing and purpose-driven advocacy.
This is no ordinary consultancy role! Due to the nature of offshore yacht racing the hours we work can be unpredictable and are often outside of traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and overnight hours if an event time zone requires it. Extensive travel will be required around major events, with up to two weeks overseas travel at a time, if not more.
Keys to success as our Sport Communications Consultant
A bulging ‘little black book’ of international media contacts.
An eye for detail and strong organizational skills.
A passion for creating impactful storytelling.
Creativity! A desire to create impact by being bold in our comms.
Key deliverables
Strategic communications
Alongside the Communications Director, develop the overall communications strategy, and take responsibility for the day-to-day delivery for the team.
Craft compelling narratives around Francesca’s racing, our partnerships, and our community projects.
Ensure message alignment with partners, sponsors, and campaign goals.
Media relations
Build and maintain strong relationships with sport, lifestyle, digital, and traditional media in our key territories - USA, France, Italy - as well as the rest of the English speaking world. Note, you will be supported in Italy by a PR pro.
Write engaging copy and distribute press releases, media advisories, and news updates to the sailing, sport, and mainstream media.
Manage media inquiries and facilitate interviews with Francesca and team representatives.
Seek out interview opportunities, podcasts, and speaking engagements for Francesca and the wider team.
Content development
Write and edit key communications materials including newsletters, website copy, partner toolkits, press packs, and speeches.
Collaborate with the Social & Digital Content Creator and the Purpose Communications Project Manager to ensure cohesive storytelling across all platforms.
Prepare backgrounders, Q&As, and press kits ahead of events.
Event and campaign communications
Lead communications planning for racing, public appearances, and community activations.
Manage press liaison, briefings, and onsite media relations during events.
Amplify partner activations through tailored messaging and communications support.
Reputation and crisis management
Monitor media coverage and sentiment around Francesca and the team.
Advise on sensitive communications and manage any issues swiftly and professionally.
Reporting and insights
Track and report media coverage and PR value for partners and stakeholders.
Analyze metrics to optimize strategies and provide insights for the team and partner network.
Your experience
You are likely to have …
An understanding of elite performance sport - a knowledge of sailing or willingness to learn about the sport is a bonus.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
A strong media network across our key territories, and the ability to generate coverage across sport, lifestyle, and advocacy outlets.
Skill at translating complex topics - sailing, sustainability, inclusivity, and belonging - into accessible, engaging narratives.
Experience managing press at live events.
Excellent strategic thinking skills with the ability to balance short-term needs and long-term positioning.
Confidence in how you communicate and thrive on developing strong relationships with all those you come across.
You’ll be organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable under pressure.
Self-motivation and are a team player with a proven track record in creative communications.
A sense of enjoyment from collaborating with colleagues across the team.
A passion for thriving in fast-paced environments, you can adapt quickly, and deliver under pressure.
A passion for sustainability, inclusivity, and sports as a force for positive impact.
Fluency in English (doesn’t have to be native); Italian and French are a bonus, plus other languages!
Why consult for us?
We are a dynamic and passionate team that believes in making a difference through sport.
You will have the opportunity to shape and elevate the impactful communications of a leading sports team.
There will be the opportunity to travel internationally (visas permitting).
We are keen to learn from you!
About this role
Anticipate annual fees to be in the region of $70K-$85k.
This is not an employed position. The role is structured around agreed deliverables and outcomes, with flexibility in how and when the work is completed.
You’ll work with us as an independent contractor, invoicing monthly for your services. While the scope of work is significant and may require close to full-time commitment at certain periods, you will remain free to manage your schedule and to work with other clients, provided agreed deliverables are met.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a project-driven, partnership-based environment, bringing creativity, initiative, and reliability to support our campaign.
How to Apply
If you are a skilled and knowledgeable storyteller with a commitment to making an impact, we’d love to hear from you! Please share with us your experience along with a cover letter or video outlining why you’d be a great fit for this role here by October 9, 2025.
If you have any questions about the role before you apply, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can download a pdf of this job description here.