What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director/Manager of Sponsorship Activation - USL Future Opportunities position at United Soccer League?
United Soccer League – Future Opportunities
Job Title: Director/Manager of Sponsorship Activation (title may vary)
Position Type: Varies
Location: Varies
Please note: This is for future opportunities with USL member clubs. Specific position details will vary.
Overview of the United Soccer League (USL)
The United Soccer League (USL) is the heartbeat of American soccer. Impacting more than 200 communities across the United States, the USL is the first and only soccer organization in the United States to build a youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women within one ecosystem. That structure includes three professional leagues: USL Super League (women), USL Championship (men), and USL League One (men); two pre-professional leagues: USL League Two (men) and the USL W League (women); and two youth platforms: USL Academy and USL Youth.
Authentic, vital, and exciting, the USL provides an inclusive and memorable soccer experience for players, fans, and communities across our growing "soccer nation."
Position Purpose
Director/Manager of Sponsorship Activation is a full-time position that will be running and helping with all corporate sales activation management & implementation for in stadium on game day, in the community, on the broadcast, as well as on social channels and digitally. Along with that, this person will be working to create sales & recap decks for the corporate team to help with new sales as well as renewals & upgrades for current partners/sponsors.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Develop customized creative materials designed to bring various sales opportunities to life. Materials may include sales presentations, teaser one sheets, client communication templates, storyboards, client recaps, etc.
- Create high-quality mockups of partnership assets for use in partnership pitches and proposals.
- Responsible for accessing, analyzing, and communicating market research data from third-party platforms and working with third-party metrics providers to analyze social media and broadcast performance to produce reporting for sales team and/or partners.
- Develop and maintain relationships with corporate partners through exceptional customer service while serving as internal brand representative on behalf of assigned partners to ensure various sponsor objectives are met.
- Communicate with internal departments including Broadcast, In-Game Entertainment, Marketing, and Digital/Social to accurately manage inventory and delivery of assets, advise on deployment strategy, and identify potential opportunities for partnership and business growth.
- Assist in executing the fulfillment of all sponsorship elements, including stadium signage, advertising, broadcast, social media, and promotions, as well as corresponding proof of performance documents for all assigned corporate partners.
- Assist in the maintenance and coordination of broadcast logs for weekly radio show, TV game broadcasts, and/or Spanish radio play-by-play.
- Assist in managing and executing hospitality areas on game days, including providing services to clients in the Premium Suites and Premier Level seating areas.
- Assist in managing in-season and off-season departmental special events and platforms.
- Support the sale of the team’s Premium Seating areas, including the Premium Suites and Premier Level seats.
- Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors on behalf of clients to ensure success of sponsor related initiatives and assigned projects, utilizing independent judgement and discretion where necessary.
- Provide recommendations and added-value options, activation ideas, up-sell opportunities, and insight on client renewal strategies.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
- Please Note: This is for future opportunities with USL member clubs. Specific position duties and responsibilities will vary.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college or university or equivalent experience/combined education.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of account management and/or partnership activation experience; sports sponsorship is preferred.
- Ability to establish strong relationships, effectively manage expectations, and provide information with extraordinary courtesy and tact while safeguarding confidentiality.
- Ability to establish priorities and courses of action for handling multiple tasks and projects.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility and quickly adapt to changes while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
- Must be creative, well organized, detail oriented, possess a strong work ethic and a desire and willingness to learn.
- Well organized with consistent attention to detail.
- Experience in event management, the sports industry, or the media industry is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with CRM software is preferred.
- Team player spirit with an exceptional customer service attitude.
- Availability to work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends to support key initiatives and game day activities.
- Strong conceptual and strategic skills, and ability to think “outside the box,” and strong customer satisfaction orientation.
- Demonstrate creativity in the development of innovative and effective sales campaigns.
- Excellent writing and language skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Public speaking and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to multi-task is essential.
- Must have U.S. work authorization.
- Please Note: This is for future opportunities with USL or USL member clubs. Specific position qualifications will vary.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
