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 (Reactive) will lead the monitoring and management of real-time media activity during the Games period, ensuring swift, accurate and aligned responses to emerging issues.

Operating at the heart of Games-time communications, the role will manage reactive media enquiries, support issues and crisis communications delivery, and safeguard the organisation’s reputation in a fast-moving, high-profile international sporting environment.

This is a high-pressure role requiring excellent judgement, rapid drafting ability and calm decision-making.

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 the operational delivery of the Games. Commonwealth Sport’s focus extends beyond Games delivery, including protecting and strengthening the reputation, authority and credibility of the Movement across its international network.

During the Games period, this role must ensure that reactive communications:

  • Protect and safeguard the reputation of Commonwealth Sport and the wider Movement
  • Ensure messaging remains aligned with Commonwealth Sport’s values, priorities and agreed positions
  • Distinguish clearly between operational Games messaging and Movement-level communications where required
  • Maintain close coordination with the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company and other key stakeholders to ensure accurate, consistent and timely responses to emerging issues
  • Close collaboration with the Organising Company and relevant partners will be essential to ensure a coordinated approach to issues management. The role holder will need to ensure
  • Commonwealth Sport’s voice, responsibilities and reputational interests are appropriately represented within Games-time communications.

Key Responsibilities

Media Monitoring and Issues Management

  • Monitor domestic and international media coverage in real time across broadcast, print, digital and social platforms
  • Identify emerging issues, reputational risks and sensitive narratives
  • Escalate material risks appropriately and advise on recommended response strategies

C3 and Games Operations Integration

This role will act as the primary communications link between Commonwealth Sport and the C3 structure (Communications Coordination Centre), aligned to the Games Operations Centre.

Operating within the live Games-time command environment, this role will:

  • Represent Commonwealth Sport within the C3 structure as required
  • Ensure real-time information flow between Games operations and the Commonwealth Sport communications function
  • Monitor operational updates, incidents and escalations with potential reputational implications
  • Translate operational information into clear communications advice and recommended media handling
  • Escalate issues swiftly to the Head of Media & Communications and senior leadership 

Reactive Media Handling

  • Act as first point of contact for reactive media enquiries during Games-time
  • Coordinate responses with senior leadership and relevant stakeholders
  • Draft holding statements, reactive lines and Q&As at pace
  • Ensure consistent messaging across all reactive communications 

Crisis Communications Support

  • Support delivery of crisis communications response processes
    Contribute to scenario planning and preparation in advance of high-risk moments
    Assist in coordinating press conferences or briefings where required
    Maintain clear documentation and record-keeping of reactive issues 

Stakeholder Liaison

  • Liaise with communications colleagues at Glasgow 2026, stakeholder organisations and Commonwealth Games Associations
    Ensure alignment of messaging across the Commonwealth Sport network
    Support internal briefings to senior leadership during live issues 

Games-Time Operations

  • Work closely with the wider communications team to ensure coordinated messaging
    Support media operations processes in line with Games accreditation and protocols
    Contribute to end-of-day reporting on media activity and key themes
     

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience in a press office, media relations or public affairs role
  • Demonstrable ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in high-profile, time-sensitive environments
  • Experience operating within structured command, governance or escalation frameworks
  • Demonstrable experience handling reactive media enquiries
  • Strong crisis communications drafting experience
  • Excellent written communication skills with ability to draft at pace
  • Strong news judgement and understanding of reputational risk
  • Availability for the full Games-time period including weekends and extended hours 

Desirable

  • Familiarity with international sport media landscapes
  • Experience working at a major sporting event or multi-sport environment
  • Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholder organisations

Key Competencies

  • Calm under pressure
  • Sound judgement and discretion
  • Highly organised and detail-oriented
  • Collaborative and diplomatic
  • Resilient and solutions-focused
  • Strong sense of accountability
     

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 Friday 27 March 2026.

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