Director, Player Relations & Sporting Strategy - Major League Soccer

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at  tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.

• Develop long-term strategic vision for league player investment strategies and sporting product.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across stakeholders and the Player Relations team.
• Collaborate with EVP to develop and execute Player Relations strategic initiatives and long-term goals.
• Set priorities, assess opportunities, and evaluate risks; prepare, present, and execute the Player Relations annual department business plan in partnership with EVP and Player Relations team; and manage the preparation and execution of committee and league meetings.
• Provide well-researched data, analysis, and insights to assist in making informed decisions.
• Act as a liaison between the EVP and other departments or stakeholders.
• Work directly with clubs to understand key business drivers, challenges, and future growth opportunities.
• Manage player investment models and initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day relationship with the MLS Chief Soccer Officers and other club executives.
• Oversee player data and reporting; evaluate and interpret MLS Roster & Budget Guidelines; assist in managing ongoing relationship with MLSPA; and serve as the key stakeholder for certain external relationships (US Soccer, Canada Soccer, CONCACAF).
• 10-20% domestic and international travel required.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Management or a related field
• 5 years of experience in the position offered or related position
• Must have 5 years of experience with professional soccer leagues, including gaining advanced knowledge of the relevant federations (CSA, USSF, FMF) and properties (MLS, Leagues Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup)
• Must have 5 years of experience with sports industry strategic business planning including customer research and insights gathering, competitive landscape analysis and opportunity space identification, resource assessment, multi-year strategy development, creation and measurement of evaluation criteria and KPI metrics
• Must have 5 years of experience with sports league business development and property growth
• Must have 5 years of experience with financial modeling, investment strategies and return analysis, including expertise in Microsoft Excel for internal rate of return, accretion/dilution and discounted cash flow calculations
• Must have 5 years of experience with soccer rules and regulations, both internationally through the International Football Association Board and domestically through the MLS Roster and Budget and Competition guidelines
• Must have 5 years of experience with project management and experience aligning cross-functional stakeholders throughout a project.

Salary: $160,000/year.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to 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 committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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