Senior Manager, On-Field Licensing

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION 1 • Atlanta, GA

just now

About The Position

U.S. Soccer is seeking a Senior Manager, On-Field Licensing to join our industry-leading team to help drive the growth of soccer in the United States and be a leader within U.S. Soccer’s growing commercial team. Consumer Products is a key driver of fan engagement and brand messaging. As such it is critical that every product partner and every product line aligns with our fan segments and properly reflects our brand positioning. The ideal candidate is one who is organized, confident, detail oriented, and resourceful. A genuine interest in the overall sports licensing and retail space is key.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of expertise.
• 7+ years of experience in consumer products related industries, e.g., retailing, product development / manufacturing and/or intellectual property licensing. A background in, and passion for, soccer, sports and/or entertainment is a plus.
• Strong analytic skills and experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and research
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able and willing to travel up to 50% of the time for partner meetings, key matches, etc.
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Able and willing to lift and move items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• General knowledge of soccer.
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).

Nice To Haves

• Creative thinker with an ability to track and leverage marketplace trends.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects through multi-tasking and prioritizing efficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• ”Student of the Game” mentality and desire for continual growth.
• Excellent computer skills, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Multi-lingual a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage the relationship and communication with On-Field licensees across the Federation.
• Supervise the product development process with Nike for all On-Field products, including but not limited to jerseys, pregame tops, collaborations, and travel apparel.
• Oversee jersey name and number provider and work closely with equipment staff on all orders.
• Work closely with the referee department and OSI, our referee apparel provider.
• Lead our memorabilia business. Including, but not limited to, ensuring our equipment staff is set up for success and collaborating with our social team to maximize exposure.
• Manage collaboration process, starting with brand outreach, contract execution, product development, and launch.
• Special projects relating to sporting and team needs.
• Assist in monitoring product assortment plans, tracking market trends and identifying gaps.
• Compile and maintain licensing reports and financials including sales forecasts, product portfolio, licensee recaps, etc.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to incorporate product within all applicable commercial, media and marketing programs and initiatives.
• Act as lead point of contact for all internal requests and questions for on-field licensed product to service internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Take a lead role in coordinating internal and external meetings with applicable partners.

Benefits

• U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level