Joe Lockhart
Joe Lockhart

Joe Lockhart is leaving his executive VP-communications & government affairs post at the National Football League after a two-year stint.

The former White House press secretary under Bill Clinton and Glover Park Group managing director/founder called the NFL post "one of the best communications jobs in the world."

In his memo to staffers, Lockhart said the NFL is "one of the most important and iconic cultural institutions," one that is "subject to almost as much scrutiny as our Government."

He equated the pressures of the NFL post to his White House job.

Lockhart is exiting because keeping up the 24-hour intensity required for the job has become "personally challenging."

He plans to leave the league after the Super Bowl, take some time off, do political commentary and look for a teaching job.

Meanwhile, the NFL has posted a senior communications strategist job on its website.

It is looking to hire a person responsible for "proactively developing plans and strategies aimed at publicly positioning the NFL to key audiences through all communication channels, both traditional and emerging media."

The successful candidate will have "intense and dedicated work habits. Someone who takes initiative, speaks his/her mind, and sets high standards in all he/she does."