Director, Partnership Marketing

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

U.S. Soccer is seeking a Director of Partnership Marketing to join our industry-leading team and help drive the growth of soccer in the United States. This individual will be a leader within U.S. Soccer’s growing commercial team and an important driver in the relationship between the Federation and its largest strategic partners. The Director will be keenly focused on driving partner-specific commercial value among its roster of blue-chip partners while building, leading and developing a team. The Director will also work across the organization and with the balance of the Federation’s commercial team to build the U.S. Soccer brand, engage fans, and deliver results. 

Primary Responsibilities

This individual will be a key contributor on a team 100% focused on growth and retention of current U.S. Soccer partnerships including, but not limited to:

• Leading a dynamic team: direct, develop and inspire a team that is driven to deliver on both our partners’ and U.S. Soccer business objectives while demonstrating a consistent level of intellectual curiosity.
• Owning day-to-day relationships: lead U.S. Soccer’s relationships with a number of strategic partners; develop and implement creative and high-impact activations that help all parties achieve their goals, including integration with our media partners to build and strengthen long-term strategic relationships.
• Establishing new platforms and opportunities: work collaboratively with U.S. Soccer colleagues across all departments to help create and implement sellable programming and identify ways that current partners can be authentically integrated to help accomplish their goals, and support U.S. Soccer’s bullish growth projections.
• Renewing existing relationships: lean on industry trends, deep category knowledge, evolving partner objectives and meaningful relationships to drive long-term partner extensions
• Securing new partners: assist business development initiatives and the growth of U.S. Soccer by reviewing proposals and developing innovative concepts that support prospective partner objectives.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of expertise
• 8+ years of experience in strategic brand and partnership marketing
• Able and willing to travel up to 35% of the time to all domestic U.S. Soccer controlled matches
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends & holidays
• General knowledge of soccer
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)

Desired Qualifications  

• Pro-active and curious with a bias for action to maximize partner value
• Proven organizational, leadership and project management skills are required. Must be able to lead a team, think strategically, and handle multiple projects.
• Strong analytical skills and experience understanding and interpreting quantitative and qualitative research
• Creative strategist with the ability to open doors
• Relationships with senior level marketing executives at agency and client level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent events through multi-tasking and managing priorities efficiently
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent computer skills, including Outlook, MS Word, PowerPoint and advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities
• Experience with Adobe suite or a similar program is preferred
• A background in, and passion for, soccer, sports and entertainment is preferred
• Experience in sports marketing
• Desire to be part of a team
• ”Student of the Game” mentality and desire for continual growth
• Accountable for actions/decisions and does not make excuses
• Multi-lingual a plus

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.