Vice President, Partnership Management and Solutions

Job Title: Vice President, Partnership Management and Solutions

Department: Marketing & Commercial

Location: New York, NY [Hybrid Schedule]

About NWSL

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the premier professional women's soccer league, currently featuring 14 teams (soon expanding to 16) and more than 300 of the world's top players. Now in its 13th season, the NWSL is in the midst of an unprecedented growth phase, with 2024 attendance exceeding 2 million for the first time and viewership across its broadcast partners-Amazon, CBS, ESPN, and Scripps-surging to over 17 million, up 285% year over year.

As valuations rise and fan engagement deepens, the NWSL is redefining what's possible for women's sports in both the business and cultural landscape. With an expanding presence across global markets and growing relevance in pop culture, the NWSL is poised for even greater success-and marketing will be a central driver of that momentum.

Position Overview

Our league is growing rapidly, driven by our commitment to innovation, values, and commercial excellence. We are now seeking a Vice President of Partnership Management and Solutions to lead the team responsible for building the strategic solutions to support our business development team as well as nurturing and expanding relationships with partners who share our commitment to transforming the game - and the world around it.

The Vice President, Partnership Management and Solutions will report on an interim basis to the SVP, Partnerships and Business Development, serving as a key thought partner in continuing to build and scale the foundation established across the NWSL's commercial organization. This reporting structure will remain in place while we conduct the search for a new Chief Commercial Officer (and is subject to change at the incumbent's discretion).

The Vice President, Partnership Management and Solutions will lead the development and execution of best-in-class strategies to grow, activate and retain our partnership portfolio. With a sharp commercial mindset and a passion for delivering strategic value, this leader will ensure the following things are true: (1) our partners are deeply aligned with our mission and fully supported in achieving the NWSL's and their business objectives, (2) our business development team is equipped with creative partnership solutions that are actionable. This role requires a sophisticated relationship builder internally and externally who brings both business acumen, big ideas and a white-glove service ethos, capable of leading a high-performing team and representing the league at the highest levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Growth: Create incremental opportunities within existing and future partnerships; collaborate with organizational leaders to identify high-impact opportunities that enhance the overall commercial strategy.
• Team Leadership: Lead, inspire, and develop a talented team of partnership professionals, setting high standards for collaboration, performance, and culture.
• Stakeholder Management: Serve as a trusted senior liaison to partner leadership, ensuring deep top-to-top relationships and strategic integration.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely internally across marketing, media, operations, events, sporting, human resources, community, legal, and finance to deliver seamless partner activations, and develop strategic partnership solutions.
• Data & Insights: Drive the use of performance analytics and insights to analyze and assess inventory and asset value, partnership success, inform strategy, and continuously improve organizationally.
• Media Amplification: Enable maximization of revenue against O&O platforms and drive incremental investment in media partner channels to further increase strategic value of property and extend NWSL integrated campaigns.
• Visual Storytelling: Oversee development of presentation materials to align with larger NWSL brand representation while also integrating impactful visuals and customization by partner.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in integrated, cross-channel partnerships, partnership management, account leadership or related roles within sports, entertainment, or high-growth consumer brands.
• Proven track record of managing and growing multimillion-dollar brand partnerships with strategic and creative excellence.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with an executive presence and a solutions + service-first mindset.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and building a culture of excellence, inclusion, and accountability.
• Deep understanding of the commercial landscape in sports, media, and/or brand marketing.
• Passion for purpose-driven work, a demonstrated ability to align business objectives with organizational values, and excitement around elevating the women's soccer ecosystem through innovation and intentional partnership.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data to drive insights and impact.