Head of Partnerships - Soccer

Double Good•Chicago, IL

12d•$135,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Double Good is a leading fundraising app and technology company that helps youth organizations raise funds by selling popcorn. This role will own Double Good's soccer segment end-to-end, focusing on growing awareness, securing partnerships with clubs and leagues, and increasing the number of soccer fundraising events on the platform. The Head of Partnerships is the single accountable owner for the soccer segment, responsible for strategy, relationship management, and event selection. Success will be measured by partnerships signed, organizers won and retained, and fundraising growth within the soccer segment. The role involves leading a Market Development Manager and collaborating with various internal teams.

Requirements

Deep, established relationships in US youth soccer (clubs, leagues, state associations, or national organizations).
Working knowledge of how youth soccer is governed, funded, and organized, including buying decision timelines.
Proven ability to build and close partnerships with organizations, not just individual customers.
Strong communication skills, credible with a club board, on a conference stage, and on the sideline.
Comfortable owning a plan and being measured on results.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
7+ years working in or selling into the youth soccer ecosystem.
Current authorization to work in the United States. No visa sponsorship is provided.

Nice To Haves

3+ years in a sales, business development, or partnerships role with a revenue target.
Experience selling to volunteer-run or nonprofit organizations, or experience in fundraising, sponsorship, or youth sports technology.
Experience coaching or managing a junior team member.
Comfort with CRM and pipeline discipline (HubSpot experience is a plus).
Experience in a startup or fast-moving environment.
Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent experience.
3+ years carrying a sales or partnership target.
Experience building a segment or function from the ground up.

Responsibilities

Segment strategy: Build and own the soccer growth plan with a clear operating rhythm, identify and prioritize national, state, and regional partners, and set the strategy for popcorn seeding and outreach messaging.
Partnership prospecting and relationship building: Add new partnership leads, move deals through stages, win organizations that influence multiple clubs (governing bodies, state associations, leagues, platforms), and own relationships, contracting, and renewals for major soccer partners.
Events: Run ROI analysis for soccer events, decide attendance, set lead collection plans and goals, and attend key events to build relationships.
Key organizer relationships: Personally work with top organizers to provide fundraising support and gather insights.
Market insights and thought leadership: Report quarterly on competitors, trends, investments, governing body changes, vendor activity, and track leadership changes at partner organizations. Be the visible face of Double Good in soccer through various channels.
Team leadership: Direct and coach the Market Development Manager, delegating tasks and reviewing outreach.
Other Job Functions: Performs other duties as assigned.