Director, International

Major League Soccer•New York, NY

7d•$120,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Major League Soccer is entering a defining phase of global relevance, accelerated by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a rapidly expanding international fan base. The Director, International & Growth Consumer Products is a seasoned commercial leader responsible for building and scaling MLS’s global consumer products business outside the United States. This role serves as a primary growth engine for MLS Consumer Products, tasked with unlocking new international revenue streams, expanding global retail reach, and building a durable, scalable international infrastructure in partnership with MLS strategic partners. The Director will support the SVP to define where and how MLS competes globally across licensing, retail, and product, ensuring MLS evolves from a domestic league with international interest into a globally commercialized sports brand. This is not an operational licensing role. It is a strategic, revenue-owning leadership position focused on market expansion, portfolio strategy, and long-term monetization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
8+ years of experience required
Proven track record scaling international consumer products businesses for major sports leagues, entertainment brands, or global IP portfolios
Deep understanding of international retail, licensing structures, and regional market dynamics
Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success negotiating and structuring large-scale, long-term partnerships
Strategic leader with the ability to translate vision into measurable commercial growth
Demonstrated ability to communicate with clarity and confidence at the executive and board level within a global organization; skilled in stakeholder alignment and strategic influence.
Proven ability to identify growth opportunities, navigate ambiguity, and build new functions, processes, or capabilities from inception through execution.
Strong collaboration skills with the ability to drive alignment across diverse stakeholders; makes timely, data-informed decisions with commercial rigor.
Deep understanding of consumer behavior, brand development, and revenue-driving product strategies; ability to translate cultural and fan insights into scalable commercial opportunities.
High-level of commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance.
Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills.
High attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating in NFL, NBA, or similarly complex global brand environments strongly preferred
Experience operating in international markets; Spanish language proficiency (business-level) preferred.
Working knowledge of soccer and/or professional sports ecosystems, including fan engagement dynamics, league structures, and commercial models.
Knowledge of the Spanish Language (business proficiency)

Responsibilities

International Strategy & Market Expansion
Lead the international Consumer Products strategy, including market prioritization across EMEA, LATAM, APAC, and Canada
Define entry, scale, and maturity models by market, balancing speed-to-market with long-term brand equity
Identify and activate growth opportunities tied to international fandom, marquee players, clubs, and global events
Global Licensing & Partner Ecosystem
Partner with Fanatics to structure and oversee international licensing frameworks that align with MLS’s collective rights model
Lead negotiations and governance of global, regional, and local licensees
Build long-term, scalable partnerships that prioritize brand standards, distribution depth, and sustainable growth
Retail & Distribution Leadership
Develop global retail and distribution strategies across specialty, mass, digital marketplaces, and DTC
Expand cross-border ecommerce and marketplace presence, ensuring localized execution with centralized brand control
Partner with global retailers and platforms to elevate MLS product visibility and accessibility internationally
Product & Assortment Strategy
Guide product localization strategies that reflect regional consumer preferences while maintaining MLS brand integrity
Balance on-field authenticity with lifestyle, fashion, and culture-driven assortments appropriate for global markets
Collaborate with design, merchandising, and marketing teams to ensure product relevance and differentiation
World Cup Acceleration & Post-2026 Sustainability
Maximize international CP demand driven by the 2026 World Cup moment
Build infrastructure and partnerships that convert event-driven awareness into recurring, post-World Cup revenue
Ensure MLS Consumer Products remains globally competitive beyond tournament cycles
Growth & Commercial Leadership
Own international Consumer Products revenue targets, KPIs, and multi-year growth plans
Develop and manage international P&L models, investment cases, and performance dashboards
Drive disciplined growth—balancing short-term revenue opportunities with long-term brand and platform development
Translate global strategy into executable plans that scale across markets without fragmentation
Organizational Leadership & Influence
Serve as a leader within MLS Consumer Products, operating with credibility across the enterprise, clubs and global partner level.
Act as a connective leader across Consumer Products, Marketing, Media, Commercial Partnerships, Competition, and SUM
Influence without direct control—aligning clubs, licensees, and stakeholders around a shared global growth vision