Director, Marketing Strategy and Operations

Overview

Major League Soccer (MLS) is seeking a Director, Marketing Strategy & Operations to lead innovative cross-enterprise Marketing plans, platform strategies, facilitate marketing and multi-department alignment, track progress against the planning of programs, and manage stakeholders through planning and execution. We are looking for a big thinker with an eye for detail, who loves organizing, orchestrating and inspiring groups to great outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Build end-to-end Marketing plans across enterprise-wide stakeholders (League Office, Clubs, Partners, Sponsors etc.) for tentpole moments.
• Lead World Cup Marketing planning and execution for 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Develop and implement a strategic marketing playbook for partnerships that aligns with the overall business objectives and growth targets.
• Lead development of “big ideas” and innovative platforms to deliver partnership value and align to enterprise goals and Marketing objectives.
• Drive cross-functional view and alignment of Marketing support across existing sponsorship, new partnerships, Innovation Lab partners, etc.
• Lead Enterprise-wide Big Event and moment planning (MLS All-Star, MLS Cup, World Cup and other moments), setting and managing meetings, aligning targets and timelines, and authoring (and aggregating) integrated marketing plans.
• Collaborate with Brand Marketing + Partnerships team to develop a strategic toolkit.
• Partner with partnerships team to embed opportunities for partners to market MLS + MLS Priorities (e.g., tentpole moments, MLSSP, etc into their marketing plans).
• Maintain and nurture relationships with key partners, ensuring ongoing communication and collaboration on marketing initiatives.
• Brief marketing team on initiatives required to execute partnerships; ensure on-time deliver of all assets.
• Analyze the performance of partnership marketing initiatives, using data-driven insights to measure their impact on organizational goals.
• Monitor revenue generated from partnerships and determine if marketing can provide additional “plus up” opportunities to drive revenue.
• Attend meetings to understand and structure new opportunities, onboarding Marketing constituents as needed.
• Connect dots between core collaborators and identify new ideas and opportunities to unlock scale.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing team and cross-functionally focused ideation and development of ideas and programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• 8+ years of relevant experience (marketing, strategy & operations, consumer insights, etc.) and experience managing large groups of constituents to successful outcomes.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Strong executive presence with experience working with:
  • Marketing and digital product leadership
  • Large companies and fast-growing startups
• Excellent people skills, with the desire to build effective relationships and an ability to interact effectively in a professional and diplomatic manner with internal and external clients at all levels.
• Superior organization, project management skills and attention to detail.
• Innovative approach, excellent communication skills, and the ability to direct multiple team members in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong data and analytical capabilities, with the ability to identify insights and supported recommendations.
• High level of commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, compliance, promptness, and timeliness.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Must be outstanding at building Power Point presentations.
• Understanding of visual design and presentation aesthetics.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours during peak planning moments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• High attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• English fluency required. Fluency or proficiency in Spanish and/or French preferred.
• Knowledge of the sport of soccer.

TOTAL REWARDS:

Major League Soccer offers a competitive starting base salary of $115,000 - $150,000, based on individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs. We are committed to providing a Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent. Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a $500 wellness reimbursement, generous PTO, and a hybrid office/remote work schedule to promote work-life balance. We also prioritize career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities.

At Major League Soccer, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and believe that a diverse workforce enhances our ability to compete in the marketplace. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation throughout the job application or interview process, essential job functions, and other benefits and privileges of employment. If you require accommodation, please contact us to request it.

Join our team and be part of the Major League Soccer family, where we elevate the game and inspire greatness!