Director, Brand Alliances

Major League Soccer•New York, NY

2d•$120,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) are seeking an experienced, results-driven Director, Brand Alliances to lead new business development and strategic corporate partnerships across MLS, the Mexican National Team, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup. Reporting to the Vice President, Brand Alliances, the role develops and executes commercial sales strategies, cultivates senior-level relationships with leading brands and agencies, and secures integrated partnerships that drive revenue growth and long-term value for MLS/SUM. The Director manages the full sales cycle, develops customized sponsorship proposals, leads client presentations and negotiations, and collaborates across internal business units to create and commercialize partnership opportunities. The role also provides day-to-day oversight, guidance, and mentorship to Managers and Coordinators. It requires a four-day in-office schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely one day each week based on business and department needs. Travel and nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 8 years of professional sponsorship experience in a high-performance sales environment.
Established network of senior-level national brand decision-makers and strong agency relationships.
In-depth knowledge of sports and entertainment sponsorship, including integrated marketing, promotions, events, media, digital platforms, and contractual rights.
Ability to manage the full sales cycle independently, from prospecting and lead generation through proposal development, negotiation, and closing.
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and negotiation skills, including the ability to navigate complex commercial transactions.
Exceptional presentation and communication skills and executive presence to engage and influence senior-level decision-makers.
Experience developing and executing innovative, integrated sponsorship platforms that deliver measurable partner value and drive revenue growth.
Strong analytical capabilities, familiarity with consumer research and analytics tools such as Scarborough, YouGov, and MRI-Simmons, and ability to turn insights into commercial opportunities.
Proficiency with AI-powered tools and platforms to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, conduct research, and support sales strategies, presentations, and proposals.
Ability to collaborate across Marketing, Events, Media, Digital, Club Services, Competition, Consumer Products, Legal, and Finance.
Experience managing, mentoring, and motivating sales professionals to achieve individual and departmental goals.
Ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team environment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including ability to manage multiple priorities and complex workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, and ability to independently develop presentations, proposals, and financial analyses.
Professionalism, integrity, and commitment to producing high-quality work.
Willingness to travel and work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the sports, entertainment, and/or arena industry.
Business proficiency in Spanish.
Knowledge of soccer or sports.

Responsibilities

Drive new business development across MLS and SUM properties, identifying, prospecting, developing, and closing strategic corporate partnerships to achieve individual and departmental revenue goals.
Co-develop and execute sales strategies aligned with organizational priorities, commercial objectives, and market opportunities.
Build and maintain a diversified pipeline of qualified prospects and active partnership opportunities across properties and priority categories.
Cultivate relationships with senior-level decision-makers at national and multinational brands, agencies, and other strategic partners.
Identify emerging categories, marketplace trends, and new business opportunities to expand the commercial pipeline and revenue potential.
Manage the full sales cycle from prospect identification and outreach through proposal development, negotiation, and contract execution.
Develop customized partnership proposals integrating sponsorship rights, media, digital and social platforms, experiential activations, intellectual property, and other commercial assets.
Lead senior-level client presentations, commercial negotiations, and strategic discussions with prospective partners and agencies.
Collaborate with Marketing, Media, Digital, Events, Club Services, Legal, Finance, and other business units to develop and execute integrated partnership opportunities.
Identify, develop, and commercialize innovative sponsorship assets and platforms that enhance partner value and generate incremental revenue.
Represent MLS/SUM at industry conferences, networking events, matches, and hospitality programs.
Provide day-to-day oversight, guidance, and mentorship to Managers and Coordinators, supporting their professional development and annual performance goals.