Director, Events

Major League Soccer • New York, NY

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Events & Hospitality Department oversees the strategic development, planning and execution of hundreds of events for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing each year, including marquee events like MLS All-Star Week, MLS Cup, MLS NEXT tournament events, Leagues Cup, the Mexican National Team U.S. Tour, Concacaf tournaments, MLS Rivalry Week, Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup, and dozens of other SUM/international property events. Annually, the Events Team also manages cross-departmental initiatives including hospitality/B2B programming, press announcements, department/executive meetings, competition events and other strategic projects for the Enterprise. The Director, Events will lead the strategy, planning, and execution of MLS public-facing and internal events, overseeing a team of three Event producers. This individual will drive innovation and consistency across all fan engagement experiences, commercial partner activations, and marquee league events, ensuring seamless execution that reflects the MLS brand. The Director will partner closely with internal departments, external agencies, and vendors to deliver high-impact events while managing budgets, processes, and team development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 8+ years of event management experience, including large-scale public or sporting events
• Minimum 3 years directly supervising / managing full-time employee(s)
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams
• Strong background in event operations, budgeting, vendor/agency management, and contract negotiation
• Experience integrating brand and partner activations into large event environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with proven ability to work across departments and with external partners
• Ability to identify, apply, and innovate around best-in-class event strategies and industry trends
• Proven success managing multiple event workstreams and overseeing simultaneous large-scale events
• Exceptional project management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Expertise in developing and managing event budgets, including forecasting, tracking, and reconciliation
• Strong experience negotiating, contracting, and managing vendors and agencies, including payment processes
• Demonstrated success in enhancing execution plans for annual or recurring events, including driving revenue and attendance growth, optimizing production processes, and elevating overall experiential satisfaction
• Ability to effectively “manage up” with senior leadership through superior written and verbal communication, executive-ready presentations, and performance under strict deadlines and high-pressure situations
• Skilled at collaborating with diverse personalities and building strong cross-functional relationships
• Proven experience mentoring and managing employees, fostering growth and accountability
• Willingness to travel extensively (6–10 days for marquee events) and work long hours, including weekends, during events and peak periods
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex, fast-paced environments

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the sport of soccer
• Experience working on a top-tier big event planning team (e.g. Super Bowl, Final Four, Grammy’s, etc.)
• Experience managing a cross-functional team of at least 5-10 people from varied disciplines

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of three Event producers, providing strategic direction, coaching, and professional development
• Lead the planning of MLS All-Star and MLS Cup aligning internal stakeholders through goal setting, development, and delivery phases
• Oversee the planning and execution of all public-facing MLS/SUM events (e.g., fan festivals, interactive experiences, media events), ensuring operational excellence and strong brand alignment
• Drive programming development across existing and new MLS events, with focus on commercial partner activations, fan engagement, and social responsibility initiatives
• Manage event budgets across the event portfolio, including forecasting, reconciliation, and cost-efficiency strategies
• Establish and oversee event processes, tools, and documentation (timelines, key planning tools, event overviews, and executive-level recaps)
• Build and manage relationships with agencies and vendors; lead RFP processes, contract negotiations, and oversight of deliverables
• Serve as the primary cross-departmental liaison, ensuring clear communication, alignment on deliverables, and effective internal/external communications planning
• Oversee site visits, planning meetings, and onsite event leadership to ensure flawless execution
• Provide senior-level support for the Events department in the planning and execution of large-scale MLS events
• Additional responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

• competitive starting base salary of $115,000 - $140,000
• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• a $500 wellness reimbursement
• generous Holiday and PTO schedule to promote work-life balance
• career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees