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Overview

The Partner Solutions & Insights department is a centralized, foundational support team dedicated to enabling new business efforts, current partner retention, and identifying/development of property-specific commercial opportunities across Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM). The group is seeking a Manager who has experience understanding and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data coupled with strong presentation-building skills. The Manager will play a leading role in the planning and production of sponsorship measurement reports as well as the creation of insights-based materials utilizing syndicated research and/or custom studies under the guidance of and in collaboration with department leads.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and production of sponsorship measurement reports, showcasing value and performance metrics delivered through MLS and SUM properties for commercial partners.
• Continue development of research capabilities focused on understanding fans across MLS and SUM properties, both through the management of syndicated tools and collaborating cross-departmentally on new, relevant custom studies (e.g. Sponsor Impact, Amplification, Fan Segmentation, etc.)
• Support sponsorship sales and renewal processes through package valuations and pricing recommendations, the creation of insights-based support materials demonstrating property performance, and the development of fan insights documents utilizing syndicated research and/or custom studies
• Create and deliver insights presentations to League commercial stakeholders
• Keep a pulse on key trends, attitudes, and consumer behaviors across the sports industry and priority/emerging categories - delivering thoughtful and relevant insights to Commercial teams regularly
• Assist with maintenance and utilization of the sponsorship valuation tool - auditing functionality, optimizing based on evolving industry factors, supporting its use by commercial teams, and providing strategic recommendations based on outputs
• Track, measure, and analyze MLS and SUM sponsorship assets, costs, and values - understanding weight of value-driving KPIs (e.g. TV viewership, attendance) and updating relevant inputs within sponsorship valuation tool
• Own relationship management of third-party data vendors and measurement agencies contributing to the sponsorship measurement plan by managing day-to-day communication, planning for weekly meetings, and drafting briefs/support materials for project planning and high-quality, timely execution
• Support the development of processes and "work shares" to further a culture of learning, integration, and analytical thought
• Lead other ad-hoc custom commercial research projects or analysis as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist in any Partner Solutions & Insights department initiatives or special projects
• Additional responsibilities as assigned
• Foster industry relationships in the market research industry to bring fresh ideas and thinking to development initiatives, and position SUM as a thought leader

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required, Masters Preferred
• 5+ years of experience required
• Extensive experience in sponsorship measurement and sales solutions development
• Experience at media/entertainment, Rights Holder, or sports property
• Knowledge of the sport of soccer
• Strong industry relationships with agencies and data and research providers (e.g., Endeavor, Wasserman, Nielsen Sports, Navigate Research, Blinkfire, etc.)
• Experience in both qualitative and quantitative consumer-based research

Required Skills

• Superior project management skills with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to draw conclusions and extract meaningful insights
• High degree of intellectual curiosity and creative insight
• Strong presentation skills and comfortability with presenting to senior audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, team environment
• Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills
• Detailed understanding of the sports and entertainment industry
• Creative ability to visualize data for Go-To-Market and externally facing sales collateral
• Strong experience with PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Understanding of the North American sponsorship landscape and how brands use sponsorships to meet business objectives
• Ability and willingness to travel and work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays
• High-level of commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance

Total Rewards

Major League Soccer offers a competitive starting base salary of $80,000 - $88,500, 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, and generous Holiday and PTO schedule to promote work-life balance. We also prioritize career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities.

Major League Soccer believes in the value of in-person collaboration to support teamwork, creativity, and connection. Employees in this role are expected to work a four (4) day in-office schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely one (1) day each week, based on business and department needs.