Director of Strategic Communications

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

Onsite at Varsity Spirit HQ Memphis TN - 711 N Front St or Varsity Brands HQ Farmers Branch, TX - 14460 Varsity Brands Way

The Director, Strategic Communications leads the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that support Varsity Spirit's business priorities across cheer, dance, yearbook, competitions, and associated programs. This role serves as the senior communications advisor to division leadership, partnering with executives to strengthen the brand, protect the company's reputation, and drive alignment across employees, customers, participants, media, and key external stakeholders.

The Director, Strategic Communications partners with Varsity Spirit leadership to anticipate business needs, identify communications risks and opportunities, and ensure communications strategies advance both divisional and enterprise objectives.

This role is responsible for developing communications strategies that support business growth, major events, product launches, issues management, executive visibility, and organizational priorities. Working closely with Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events, Legal, HR, and business leaders, this role ensures communications are coordinated, consistent, and aligned with enterprise objectives.

The Director, Strategic Communications reports to the SVP, Corporate Communications and leads the Varsity Spirit communications function, including direct management of a Strategic Communications Manager and external agency partners.

• Serve as the strategic communications advisor to Varsity Spirit executive leadership, providing counsel on business priorities, reputation management, executive visibility, and stakeholder communications
• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support business growth, major events, product launches, organizational initiatives, and enterprise priorities
• Lead communications strategies supporting organizational change, business transformation, leadership transitions, and other high-impact initiatives requiring thoughtful stakeholder engagement
• Own the development and execution of divisional communications strategies across earned, owned, shared, and internal channels, ensuring alignment with enterprise communications priorities and partnership with the Sr. Director, Strategic Communications – Public Relations
• Partner with Marketing, Events, Legal, HR, and business leaders to execute integrated communications plans, coordinate messaging, manage risk, and support strategic initiatives
• Execute divisional media relations, executive thought leadership, and storytelling initiatives in partnership with the enterprise Public Relations leader, providing subject matter expertise, business context, content development, spokesperson support, and day-to-day execution of external communications strategies
• Lead communications planning and execution for major championships, events, and high-profile initiatives, coordinating closely with the enterprise Public Relations leader to support media engagement, reputation management, and stakeholder communications before, during, and after key events
• Support issues management and crisis communications for Varsity Spirit, partnering with…