Director, Media Partnerships

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players globally. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially. The NWSL is shattering all-time fan attendance records with 2023 season shattering attendance and viewership records. In November 2023, the NWSL made history in announcing a four-year deal as the biggest deal in women's professional sports with four new broadcast partners for the 2024 season: Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN and Scripps/ION.

As the company's first-ever Director of Media Partnerships, this critical role will manage the Broadcast and Media partner relationships for the Marketing and Commercial Operations team at the NWSL. This individual will develop and implement marketing, content and programming plans with broadcast partners across integrated tentpole marketing campaigns, creative, partner programming and other calendar moments to ensure maximum value, ratings, exposure and awareness of the NWSL, its players, clubs and sponsors.

The successful candidate will come from a broadcast or media company background with deep experience in Tune-In Marketing, Programming and/or On-Air promotions. They will serve as lead relationship manager and key liaison to NWSL broadcast/media partners to oversee and manage NWSL Marketing, Sales and Promotional logistics to build NWSL viewership, brand, fan growth and engagement.

With fans of NWSL teams growing at an unprecedented rate the Director of Media Partnerships is a unique opportunity for a dynamic leader to bring their marketing relationship skills to the NWSL and help shape the future of the sport.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Broadcast Media partner onboarding, management and approvals.
• Coordination of contractual obligations and fulfillment with media partners
• Maximize marketing reach and promotional value to grow the NWSL audience, clubs, players and partners.
• Management of partner marketing campaigns ensuring all assets are delivered accurately on schedule and budget.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Supports Broadcast Partners to maximize NWSL exposure and coverage by developing and implementing joint promotional plans, materials, and creative campaigns.
• Ensures all NWSL partners optimally promote game windows and tune-in messaging across their networks and owned and operated channels to drive NWSL fan growth and engagement.
• Create stand-alone promotional opportunities to drive awareness across existing broadcast partner event sporting and cultural calendars.
• Oversee and manage inbound/outbound NWSL creative needs and approvals and execution within brand guidelines.
• Work with NWSL business intelligence to share research, ratings and reporting.
• Present media partner status updates to all internal and external stakeholders
• Generate and present mid-year and end of year partnership recaps.
  
  

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years' experience in media rights and partner management working at a professional sports league, sports club or media company.
• Deep experience in overseeing implementation of multi-channel promotional campaigns via working through others to drive influence and results.
• Strong personal relationships with national broadcasters, streaming platforms, social media channels, digital publishers, and content creators.
• Deep understanding of creative process and analytical/quantitative skills.
• Experience presenting to a board/ownership group and key league or professional sports team stakeholders.
  
  

What we offer

• An incredible inclusive culture that is committed to diversity.
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Mental health benefits for employees and dependents.
• FSA for employees and dependents.
• Commuter benefits.
• Short and Long-term disability and life insurance paid by the company.
• Unlimited paid time off, sick days and end of the year office closure.
• 401k with employer match, safe harbor contributions from the company in addition to the employer match.
• Voluntary pet insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule.
  
  

Salary: Estimate $100-160K - Bonus eligible based on performance

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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