Senior Director, Partnership Marketing

Overview

The Senior Director, Partnership Marketing will lead a team responsible for managing and delivering all elements associated with assigned partnership accounts including the ideation, development and execution of partner initiatives.  The Senior Director provides strategic oversight of a portfolio of commercial partners, primarily across MLS, using expert knowledge of industry relevant topics and understanding of the sales/marketing objectives of each partner in the portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic oversight and management of a portfolio of commercial partners
• Identify insights, build a vision, and articulate a strategy on how to approach each partner’s business objectives and how to grow that business
• Create compelling solutions for current marketing partners that demonstrate how their partnership can meet a brand’s unique business objectives
• Oversee the preparation of partnership presentations, deal memos/summaries, recaps and other materials needed to manage sponsorship activities
• Establish metrics to measure partnership success and ensure delivery
• Strategize effective ways to potentially grow incremental revenue
• Effectively strategize potential partner solutions by understanding advertising and marketing channels and new technologies
• Fiscally responsible for the day-to-day management of program budgets and ensuring that sponsor promotions are within budget
• Coordinate creative approval of all partner assets, ensuring submissions are brand compliant and in-line with contractual guidelines
• Provide strategic oversight of contractual assets including in-game assets, player appearances, pre-game field experiences, owned platforms, etc.
• Lead renewal and upsell strategies for portfolio of partners that deliver on both brand and business objectives that ultimately grow existing partnership and overall business and revenue
• Oversee club relationships for specific partner activation needs (as it applies to partner)
• In conjunction with Media team, assist with the oversight and implementation of partner specific digital, social, and content programs
• Liaise with internal departments on day-to-day partner proposals, implementation, maintenance, etc.
• As applicable, manage hiring and onboarding process by interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees
• Accomplish team results by communicating job expectations and managing the Performance Management process:
• Plan, monitor, and review performance
• Coach and counsel employees
• Develop and implement department procedures and productivity standards and reinforce Company policies
• Develop personal growth opportunities for employees

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead special projects as needed
• Additional departmental responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• 10+ years of experience, with 8+ years in strategic brand & partnership marketing

Required Skills

• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, deadline driven, team environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
• Strategic problem solver and negotiator who understands partners’ needs and is solutions oriented
• High-level of commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance
• Strong understanding of marketplace on both a local and national level
• Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated track record for concepting and/or upselling innovative sponsorships
• Proven experience managing and motivating a team
• Creative strategist with the ability to identify and commercialize big picture opportunities
• Knowledge of sports and entertainment sponsorship, including promotions, events, media and contracts
• Ability to manage multiple demands, projects and people
• Experience in presenting to senior management team
• Proven experience managing and motivating cross-functional teams
• Superior organization and project management skills
• Maintain positive attitude and adapt to fast paced working environment
• Able to travel and work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of the sport of soccer
• Sports industry knowledge/experience

Total Rewards

 

Major League Soccer offers a competitive