Brief Description
Communications Specialist
About Our Company
Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.
We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.
General Position Summary
The Communications Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring clear, consistent, and brand-aligned messaging from corporate leadership to store-level teams. This position supports top-down communication strategies that drive operational alignment, employee engagement, and execution of business initiatives across all retail locations.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Message Development
- Craft clear, concise, and brand-aligned messages from corporate leadership to store-level employees.
- Translate executive initiatives into actionable, easy-to-understand communications for frontline teams.
- Use standardized templates and distribution lists to send mass communications to stores, DSMs, and regional leaders.
Internal Communication Management
- Develop and distribute internal memos, newsletters, and updates to ensure consistent messaging across all retail locations.
- Maintain communication calendars and ensure timely delivery of key messages, especially around promotions, policy changes, and operational updates.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with operations, HR, marketing, and training teams to align messaging and ensure consistency across departments.
- Act as a liaison between the field and corporate office, gathering feedback and adjusting communication strategies accordingly.
- Collaborate closely with the internal French translator to ensure all communications meet Quebec language standards and are communicated in a timely manner.
Content Creation and Editing
- Draft and edit content for internal platforms, including SOPs, training materials, and leadership updates.
- Ensure tone, clarity, and accuracy in all written communications.
Additional Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Field Communication Support
- Provide guidance on how to communicate sensitive or urgent issues (e.g., system outages, recalls, policy enforcement).
- Support store leaders in delivering consistent messaging to their teams.
Feedback and Reporting
- Collect and analyze feedback from the field to improve communication effectiveness.
- Track open rates, engagement, and task completion metrics to measure communication impact.
Professional Conduct
- Support and adhere to all company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
Job Required Knowledge & Skills
- Associate degree in business or related field, plus two years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A degree in Communications is an asset.
- Proven ability to perform both independently with minimal supervision, as well as be a collaborative team player.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and communication platforms (e.g., Teams, Outlook).
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in retail operations or field communications is highly valued.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to operate a computer, as well as maneuver relative software programs.
Physical & Travel Requirements
- Ability to constantly sit at a desk in a sedentary work environment"
- Ability to frequently use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment.
- Ability to occasionally stand and walk throughout the office.
- Ability to occasionally lift or move items up to 15 pounds.
- Ability to frequently communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to occasionally present information to small and large groups, including team members and leadership.
- Ability to constantly view electronic/written materials and adjust focus when needed (i.e. computers screens, documents, etc.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. For inquires related to reasonable accommodations, please contact HR@Lids.com
- Willingness to travel occasionally based on business needs
