Senior Director, Partnership Marketing OPERATIONS

About the role

The Senior Director, Partnership Marketing Operations serves as the primary department resource for the strategic planning and operational execution of partner specific marketing assets across Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing’s (SUM) events. The events include marquee tentpole moments such as MLS All-Star Week, MLS Cup, Leagues Cup, the Mexican National Team U.S. Tour (MexTour), Concacaf competitions, Campeones Cup, and additional SUM/international properties.

Responsibilities

• Be the operational leader, process architect and executive-level oversight for MLS/SUM partner delivery by leading a team of three employees focused full-time on Partnership Marketing Operations via establishing strategic priority frameworks, property management processes, and personal growth opportunities for employees that ensure consistent, scalable, and high-performing execution across the department.
• Serve as central point of coordination between Partnership Marketing Account Teams and internal departments for all MLS and SUM properties to ensure the efficient and high-level delivery of partner marketing assets while achieving SUM strategic priorities. This role requires strong communication, a disciplined management mindset, strong leadership presence, and the ability to build processes that elevate partner delivery.
• Represent SUM Partnership Marketing and applicable corporate partners’ priorities via cross-functional enterprise collaboration ensuring alignment across departments including Events, Marketing, Properties, Operations, Competition, Finance, and Legal.
• Efficiently source, directly manage and seamlessly integrate external stakeholders, such as event and production agencies, to deliver events at scale and within budget.
• Build and maintain relationships with MLS Club Sponsorship / Marketing departments to ensure effective and efficient delivery of appropriate assets at the Club level

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of experience in with agencies, properties, and/or clients required

Qualifications

• Advanced project management expertise with demonstrated success executing events, including the operations and marketings
• Exceptional cross-departmental collaboration, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong people leadership presence with proven ability to manage and develop leaders
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets
• Extensive knowledge of the sports partnership marketplace
• Strong organizational skills including project management skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and evolve processes within a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally
• Ability to travel and to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Skills

• Knowledge of the sport of soccer

Pay

Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent. Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a $500 wellness reimbursement, and generous Holiday and PTO schedule to promote work-life balance. We also prioritize career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities.

Schedule

Major League Soccer believes in the value of in-person collaboration to support teamwork, creativity, and connection. Employees in this role are expected to work a four (4) day in-office schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely one (1) day each week, based on business and department needs.