Senior Manager, 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’s 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 US. 

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitions plans for US 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 Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing to join our industry-leading team and help drive the growth of soccer in the United States. This individual will be a key contributor within U.S. Soccer’s growing commercial team and an important driver in the relationship between the Federation and its current and potential strategic partners. The Senior Manager will be keenly focused on driving partner-specific commercial value from a roster of blue-chip partners. The Senior Manager will work directly with the U.S. Soccer 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 activation, growth and retention of current U.S. Soccer partnerships including, but not limited to: 

• Owning day-to-day relationships: lead U.S. Soccer’s relationships with a select number of strategic partners to maximize value; develop and implement creative and high-impact activations that help all parties achieve their goals, 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. 
• People management & development: Oversee a Partnership Marketing Coordinator by having oversight of their business portfolio and ensuring their professional development by providing mentorship along with clearly articulating role expectations. 
• Securing new partners: assist business development initiatives and the growth of U.S. Soccer by reviewing proposals and developing innovative concepts that support partner objectives. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of expertise 
• 7-9 years of experience in strategic brand and partnership marketing with an emphasis on event execution and hospitality 
• Able and willing to travel up to 35% of the time to all domestic U.S. Soccer controlled matches  
• 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, bias for action to provide great partner-specific value  
• Market expertise in a space that is evolving and changing? 
• 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 
• Ability to apply learning from past projects an