Job Title: Media Manager (Proactive)
Games-Time Secondment: Monday 20 July – Sunday 2 August
Plus: Approximately 2 days onboarding/orientation in the weeks prior to the Games
Reporting to: Head of Media & Communications 
Location: Glasgow – accommodation provided.

Secondment details

Commonwealth Sport is looking for a media and communications specialist from the sport sector to join the Commonwealth Sport team during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Interested candidates should ensure their primary employer is willing to release them from their day-to-day duties for the secondment period. 

Role Purpose

The Media Manager (Proactive) will lead the identification, development and delivery of positive, high-impact media stories during the Games period.

Operating within the Games-time communications team, the role will focus on securing UK and international coverage that elevates athlete performances, competition milestones and the values of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The role will drive forward planning, pitching and content creation to maximise visibility and narrative impact throughout the Games.

This is a fast-paced role requiring strong news judgement, creative PR thinking and confident stakeholder management in a live sporting environment.

Commonwealth Sport and Glasgow 2026 Alignment

While operating within the Games environment, this role represents Commonwealth Sport and the wider Movement, not the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company.

The Organising Company leads on Games delivery and operations. Commonwealth Sport’s focus extends beyond the event itself, strengthening the Movement’s reputation, authority and long-term relevance globally.

During the Games period, this role must ensure media activity:

  • Reinforces why the Movement matters now more than ever
  • Positions Commonwealth Sport as a leader in innovation, inclusion, sustainability and athlete-centred sport
  • Distinguishes clearly between operational Games messaging and strategic Movement narrative
  • Uses Games-time visibility to build momentum beyond the event

Close collaboration with the Organising Company is essential, but clarity of organisational voice and narrative ownership will be critical.

Key Responsibilities

Proactive Story Development

  • Identify proactive story opportunities aligned to competition moments, medal prospects, athlete journeys and organisational values
  • Develop forward media plans around key sporting milestones and priority narratives
  • Ensure messaging reflects the organisation’s vision, mission and values

Media Relations and Pitching

  • Pitch stories to UK and international media across print, broadcast and digital platforms
  • Build and maintain relationships with journalists covering the Games
  • Secure interviews, features and broadcast opportunities for athletes and spokespeople

Content and Materials

  • Write press releases, feature pitches, media notes and detailed briefing documents
  • Prepare spokesperson briefings and key messaging documents
  • Support the development of talking points aligned with competition outcomes

Media Opportunities and Events

  • Arrange and manage interviews, press conferences and mixed zone opportunities
  • Liaise with CGAs and other stakeholders on agreed media opportunities
  • Ensure all proactive activity aligns with Games media operations protocols

Monitoring and Reporting

  • Track and monitor proactive media coverage secured
  • Contribute to daily reporting on coverage performance and narrative trends
  • Work closely with the wider communications team to ensure aligned messaging

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience in a press office, PR or media relations role
  • Experience working at a major sporting event or multi-sport Games
  • Demonstrable experience securing national and/or international media coverage
  • Strong writing skills with ability to produce compelling media materials quickly
  • Excellent news judgement and understanding of the sports media landscape
  • Experience working with senior stakeholders and/or elite athletes
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-performance environment
  • Availability for the full Games-time period including weekends and extended hours

Desirable

  • Established relationships with UK and/or international sports media
  • Experience developing values-led or human-interest sports storytelling

Key Competencies

  • Proactive and opportunity-focused
  • Creative and strategically minded
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  • Highly organised and delivery-driven
  • Collaborative and diplomatic
  • Resilient and adaptable in a live event environment

To Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a Cover Letter (no more than 1 page) to recruitment@commonwealthsport.com by 17:00 on Monday 6 April 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, contact: recruitment@commonwealthsport.com