Director of Partnerships

Sofive Soccer Centers•New York, NY

20h

About The Position

This newly created role will lead the development and growth of Sofive’s sponsorship and partnership business across the United States. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving new commercial revenue through national and multi-site sponsorship agreements with major brands, while helping shape Sofive’s long-term commercial strategy. Working closely with Sofive leadership and City Football Group (Sofive’s lead investor) colleagues, the role will focus on identifying commercial opportunities, packaging partnership assets, building relationships with senior brand decision-makers, and leading partnership negotiations from prospecting through to execution. The ideal candidate will bring an established network across the sponsorship and brand marketing landscape, with experience securing five and six figure commercial agreements for sports, entertainment, hospitality, or media properties. Success for this position will be measured against an ambitious annual partnership revenue target, developing a strong and sustainable sales pipeline, growing Sofive’s commercial partnership platform, and successfully delivering and renewing partnership agreements with high-value national and multi-site partners.

Requirements

5 years of partnership sales, sponsorship, or commercial business development experience
Strong network of senior contacts across brand marketing, sponsorship, and agency communities
Proven track record of securing five and six figure partnership agreements
Familiarity with sponsorship contracts and legal processes
Experience representing premium sports, entertainment, hospitality, or media properties
Strong understanding of integrated sponsorship sales and partnership activation
Excellent relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and storytelling skills
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to drive the commercial function
Strong commercial acumen and ability to work cross-functionally with senior stakeholders
Willingness to travel and work flexible hours where required

Nice To Haves

Experience within soccer, participation sports, entertainment, or experiential venue businesses
Knowledge of the North American soccer, social sport and sponsorship landscape
Experience working with emerging or growth-stage brands/properties
Fluency in Spanish or additional languages beneficial

Responsibilities

Drive new partnership revenue through the acquisition of national and multi-site sponsorship agreements
Build and manage a pipeline of qualified prospects across priority categories e.g. beverage, technology, sportswear, gaming, and media
Develop and package compelling commercial opportunities across Sofive’s venues, leagues, tournaments, digital channels, and proprietary video platform
Lead proactive outreach, relationship development, and senior stakeholder engagement with major brands and agencies
Structure and negotiate integrated partnership agreements that align with partner objectives and Sofive’s commercial ambitions
Work closely with Sofive leadership to identify collaborative and multi-platform opportunities across City Football Group
Support the creation of sales materials, partnership presentations, pricing models, and commercial inventory
Collaborate with operations, marketing, and external agency partners to deliver successful partnership activations
Maintain accurate pipeline management, forecasting, and CRM reporting
Represent Sofive at industry events, conferences, networking opportunities, and partner hospitality events