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Jobs at MLS and SUM

Interested in working for Major League Soccer (MLS) or Soccer United Marketing (SUM)?

As the League for the New America, MLS strives to unite soccer's fans across the U.S., fueling their passion and providing aspiration - and inspiration - to a rapidly expanding soccer culture. SUM is the preeminent soccer marketing company in the United States.

Headquartered in New York City, MLS and SUM are committed to attracting and retaining the most talented people in the sports industry. Both organizations strive to foster an environment that allows all employees to thrive in their work efforts. MLS and SUM seek enthusiastic candidates who are passionate and dedicated to helping fulfill our mission. Current open positions at MLS and SUM are listed below. If you don't find an opening that fits your career goals, you can check back at a later date as we frequently update listings, or you can send your resume and cover letter to be considered when an opportunity becomes available.

Qualified candidates who are interested in exploring job opportunities at MLS or SUM should send resumes with a cover letter to the following:

MLS/SUM Human Resources
420 5th Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Email: mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com
Fax: 212-450-1302

If you are interested in exploring job opportunities with the MLS Clubs, please apply online by visiting the MLS Clubs Job Board: http://mls.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/jobs/default.cfm

Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing are proud to be equal opportunity employers. It is each company's policy to welcome candidates without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable city, state or federal law. Thank you for your interest in joining the soccer community!

AVAILABLE POSITIONS


Major League Soccer

Soccer United Marketing

Major League Soccer

Recruitment Specialist

Department
Human Resources
Office Services

Report To
Executive Vice President, MLS

Overview
This is a great opportunity for an internal recruiter to partner with hiring managers in order to grow and develop our organization. Successful candidates will have a passion for sports and recruiting top talent. They will be responsible for driving recruiting process and assist with on-boarding new hires.

The Recruiter will create innovative sourcing strategies to attract top talent and work relentlessly to fill active job openings, and build a pipeline of candidates for future needs. The Recruiter will network with passive and active candidates, organize recruiting events, and continue to build and establish the MLS brand within the community through traditional and non-traditional recruiting methods.

Successful candidates will have an excellent understanding of talent acquisition in a corporate environment, have managed the full-life cycle of the recruiting process, and have significant experience recruiting candidates for a mid to large sized organization. They will have in-depth experience identifying, screening, and building solid relationships with candidates, together with the ability to forge strong relationships with hiring managers, and manage multiple searches simultaneously. The Recruiter will have solid negotiation skills and a knack for finding a needle in a haystack. They will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, have exceptional communication skills and a willingness to roll-up their sleeves, work hard and get the job done.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Creates strategic plan for recruitment of all positions within the organization.
  • Develop annual recruiting strategy to meet the changing needs of the business. Implement strategy accordingly. Ensure a high level of diversity recruitment in each strategy.
  • Oversee recruitment process for all exempt, and non-exempt open positions at all levels.

    • Validate job descriptions
    • Coordinate job postings
    • Screen all candidates
    • Coach managers on interviewing skills
    • Coordinate interview schedules for all management
    • Ensure quality background and reference checks
    • Generate offer letters
  • Conduct monthly analysis of recruitment, turnover, and eeo reporting and all diversity recruitment.
  • Negotiate and reduce number of agency contracts and fees while creatively sourcing all candidates.
  • Create electronic database of candidate pool and manage applicant tracking system. Provide weekly progress reports of all open positions to EVP.
  • Work with Department Heads and Managers to create specialized orientation programs, and induction programs for newly hired employees. Administer “On Boarding” New Hire Orientation Process along with Benefits Manager.
  • Work with Manager, HR & Administration to manage strategic recruitment of the Internship Program.

Required Skills

  • 5+ years HR recruitment/generalist experience at a mid-sized company
  • Experienced recruiter –both exempt and non-exempt positions
  • Strong and effective interpersonal skills, and relationship building skills
  • Highly organized, multi-tasked. Deadline oriented, can work well under pressure
  • Demonstrated patience and level-headedness in crisis situations
  • Strong project and people management skills
  • Effective listener
  • Demonstrated effective presentation and written and verbal communication skills

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Technical Director, Soccer Operations & Player Development

Department
Competition
Player Relations

Report To
Executive Vice President, Player Relations & Competition
Executive Vice President, Competition, Technical & Game Operations

Overview
Technical Director, Soccer Operations and Player Development will conduct an initial review of all MLS Clubs’ soccer operations (e.g. coaching, officiating, player development (including youth academies), facilities, medical staffing, and administration). The on-going function of this role is to provide an assessment of the Clubs’ processes, methodology, staffing and overall resources and to provide continuous recommendations to improve the quality of the on-field product and the professional environment at each club. The position will also develop benchmarks to measure the improvement our player development both for youth academies and the first team. Finally, the Technical Director, Soccer Operations & Player Development will serve as the day-to-day contact on the operation of the reserve league and club youth academies.

The end product of Technical Director, Soccer Operations and Player Development efforts will be (a) the creation of minimum standards for soccer operations and player development for MLS Clubs; (b) the identification of best practices; (c) recommendations for continuous improvement; and (d) to the extent possible, an assessment of the overall quality of play within MLS at both the first team and academy levels.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Analyze League play
  • Analyze and review club technical staffs, including coaches
  • Provide a Technical/Tactical assessment of each Club and the League
  • Review and make recommendations regarding youth academies (including the development of -metrics to ensure our players are being measured against an international standard)
  • Review soccer operations of all MLS clubs (including infrastructure, staff, programs and -management of competition)
  • Identify key areas of strength and weakness of each Club
  • Make recommendations for league-wide minimum standards for soccer operations (e.g., Technical staffing, facilities and overall sporting infrastructure)
  • Make recommendations for league-wide best practices
  • Oversee day to day operations of the Reserve League and Club youth academies

Other Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage long-term relationships with MLS Clubs
  • Liaise with US Soccer and CSA on national development academy programming and plans
  • Produce monthly comprehensive reports on MLS Clubs’ Soccer Operations
  • Assist in the creation of League-wide minimum standards for soccer operations (e.g., Technical staffing, facilities and overall sporting infrastructure)
  • Provide relevant and regular comparisons of methodologies, staffing and resources utilized a leading clubs world-wide
  • Assist in developing and executing League-wide protocols for yearly objective evaluations particularly in the area of youth development
  • Inform League of any worthy Technical Staff candidates, particularly those of diverse backgrounds (head/assistant coaches, youth coaches, administrators, etc.)
  • Assist in preparation and execution of various League Technical Committee meetings
  • Serve as a resource to MLS Disciplinary Committee as requested

Required Skills

  • Professional experience as a head coach, player, technical director or scout for 10+ years
  • Must have ability to work effectively with all levels of management
  • Strong written and oral communication with an ability to build consensus
  • Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • International experiences a necessity
  • Fluency in a second language is an advantage, particularly either Spanish or French
  • Proficiency in computer skills necessary (e.g., MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
  • Willingness to accept ad hoc assignments on short notice

Education (or Specific Training)

  • Bachelor’s degree, coaching certification(s) or proven record as player, or technical director

Education (or Specific Training)

  • Frequent duty on weekends
  • Must be willing and able to travel for business

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Sales Trainee (National Sports Center)

Department
Club Services

Job Title
Sales Trainee (National Sports Center)

Report To
Director of National Sales Center

Position Purpose
The National Sales Center is seeking positive and passionate individuals that are committed to becoming industry sales leaders in Major League Soccer. These individual will go through an intensive 45 day sales training, career growth oriented, professional soccer sales focused development program. In depth training will focus on growing one’s professional skill sets as a full menu ticket sales consultant. All Sales Trainees will be responsible for selling premium inventory, season tickets, mini plans and group tickets for participating MLS clubs and partners. Revenue will be generated primarily via phone and email marketing. Day to day leadership and mentoring will be provided by the Director of Sales for the National Sales Center.

Essential Functions

  • Responsible for the sale of new full season tickets and partial season ticket plans for various MLS clubs and participating partners.
  • Expected to prospect and qualify all potential sales opportunities
  • Maintain computerized records of all season ticket customers and prospects with our CRM system
  • Reach call quotas established by Director of Sales
  • Provide excellent customer service
  • Meet or exceed project by project sales goals
  • Game night duties as assigned (visit clients, works sales table, etc…) through partnership with the NSC Minnesota Stars
  • Attend weekly meetings and role-play sessions conducted by Director of Sales
  • Other duties as assigned by Director of Sales.

Specific Job Knowledge Skill and Ability
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably Business, Sports Management, Marketing or related field
  • Ability to work as a team player
  • Proficient in basic computer software programs
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to participate in entire 45 day curriculum (evenings and weekend hours and possibly holidays)
  • Open to learning
  • Desire to be a soccer sales industry leader

About the National Sales Center
The National Sales Center, located in Blaine, MN on the campus of the National Sports Center is a year round development program committed to attracting individuals who are passionate about the game of soccer and are interested in becoming a soccer sales industry leader. The best candidates from across the country will be accepted into available sessions throughout the year and will undergo a fast paced 45 day training curriculum that will prepare them for full time placement and accelerated growth opportunity at a MLS team. For more information, please email Bryant.pfeiffer@mlssoccer.com.

About the National Sports Center
The National Sports Center (NSC) is a 600-acre multi-sport facility located in Blaine, Minnesota. The campus includes the Schwan Super Rink, an eight-sheet ice arena that is the world’s largest ice facility; a 8,500-seat soccer stadium; the Schwan Center meeting and convention building; a multi-faceted family golf center; the National Youth Golf Center, which features the 18-hole Victory Links course; an indoor Sports Hall with a FieldTurf field; 150-bed residence hall and 52 soccer fields. The facility hosts nearly 300 events and nearly four million visitors annually, and has welcomed over 32 million visitors since its opening in 1990. The NSC generates over $37 million in annual out-of-state economic impact.

The NSC is home to Minnesota's new professional soccer team, the NSC Minnesota Stars, and was also the home training base for the 2010 U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey Team in its lead-up to the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. http://www.nscsports.org/

To Apply
Please visit www.mlsnationalsalescenter.com.

Read more about the MLS National Sales Center

PT Major League Soccer Analyst

Department:
OPTA/PTMLS

Location:
New York

Description:
Opta are looking to expand their existing team of part-time soccer analysts to perform the live player performance analysis of Major League Soccer and other associated soccer competitions.

Please note that this is a part time role and will be based in our New York office. Potential candidates should only apply if you live within a manageable commuting distance.

Successful candidates must have the following qualities:

  • Strong knowledge of MLS teams/players as well as other continental competitions
  • An excellent understanding of the rules of the game
  • The ability to interpret live match events
  • Excellent IT skills in order to use our complex live analysis tool
  • Confident and diligent individuals with a keen eye for detail
  • Excellent communication skills to work as a team in the demanding environment of live match analysis
  • Commitment to working at weekends and evenings
  • Spanish language proficiency is a plus

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to jobs@optasports.com.

Soccer United Marketing

Manager of Publisher Relations, MLS Digital Properties

Reports To
VP, MLS Digital Properties

Additional Employees in Department(s)
Director of Sales Account Executives (3)
Sales Planners (2)
Director of Sales Development

Primary Responsibilities
The primary responsibility will be to manage the day to day relationships with our Digital Network Partners including: MLSSoccer.com, and the MLS Club websites, ussoccer.com, Goal.com, MedioTiempo.com, Yahoo Soccer and a number of other soccer specific websites.

Specifically, this position will manage our efforts to create and implement advertising and sponsorship revenue programs for both SUM corporate partners and new digital advertisers with a focus on video, mobile and custom content opportunities.

The Manager will coordinate with the Director of Sales Development to manage pricing and planning for our partner websites to maximize value and develop best practices to streamline our processes and enhance our relationships.

The successful candidate will also work strategically with the VP to evaluate current and new partners in the space as well as providing a road map for future growth areas with the soccer landscape.

Required Skills

  • 5-7 years in a start-up environment with success in building a scalable business
  • Tactical operator who can build consensus with our partners and sell through new concepts
  • Strategic thinker with an ability to identify new growth segments in the Soccer space
  • Ability to multi-task in a fast paced and growing department
  • Strong understanding of current technology and advertising trends
  • Knowledge of the Hispanic Marketplace a plus
  • A passion for and an understanding of Soccer a benefit

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Analyst, MLS Digital

Department
MLS Digital

MLS Digital is seeking a passionate, creative analyst to join North America’s largest soccer content and technology group.

Description:
MLS Digital is the digital arm of Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) MLS Digital was launched in 2009 to serve as the official digital technology and content group for MLS & SUM. Over the last three years MLS Digital has grown into the largest dedicated technology and content team in North America MLS Digital’s mission is to create the ultimate digital experiences for North American soccer fans with access to the best content across multiple properties and devices.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about global soccer and web analytics. This candidate will have 2+ years of experience in digital analytics with extensive knowledge of Google Analytics and other online reporting systems. The ideal candidate will understand the power of digital data, and have a passion for finding and communicating insights regarding MLS fans’ consumption of digital technology and content.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide actionable insights to MLS content, technology, marketing and business teams
  • Create and maintain executive dashboards
  • Weekly / monthly / quarterly and ad hoc reporting to MLS business stakeholders. Responsible for generating reports that will drive key financial decisions
  • Work closely with MLS Digital teams to understand and track key business metrics
  • Work across the MLS organization to ensure key business groups have the timely actionable information needed to drive business decisions
  • Align with the larger research and marketing organization to track the impact of marketing initiatives on key digital products and metrics
  • Work on selected analytical projects across MLS Digital’s business groups
  • Work with MLS Clubs and SUM partners to provide actionable dashboards and intelligence about digital trends and usage

Skills and Requirements

  • Passionate about data and information
  • Highly analytical
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Good communication skills using both written and oral presentations
  • 2+ years of experience using Google Analytics, Chart Beat, Facebook Insights and other digital analytic tools
  • Fun, creative individual

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Account Executive, MLS Digital Properties

Department
Soccer United Marketing – based in New York

Reports To
Vice President, MLS Digital Properties

Primary Responsibilities:
The primary responsibility will be to sell advertising and sponsorship opportunities from SUM’s portfolio of digital media assets.

Specifically, this position will create revenue growth by calling on clients and agencies to present media opportunities for MLSSoccer.com, our network of soccer related websites including Hispanic language opportunities.

In addition, the account executive will work with both the Business Development and Partnership Marketing teams to develop ideas and digital activation platforms for our existing SUM Corporate Partners.

The MLS Digital Properties portfolio includes: MLSSoccer.com, USSoccer.com, Goal.com, Yahoo! Sports Soccer Section, websites for top international soccer clubs (e.g. PremierLeague.com) Spanish language sites FutbolMLS.com and MedioTiempo.com plus additional Soccer news, blog and information websites such as Sporting News and Big Soccer.

Required Skills
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following skills and relevant work experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 3yrs+ of online advertising sales experience
  • Extensive understanding of advertising sales and online marketplace
  • Strong oral, written and presentation skills
  • Proven ability and passion to sell online media
  • Creative thinker with a strong independent initiative
  • Eagerness to develop new business (cold calling, research, etc.)
  • Must be a team player
  • Candidate must have the ability to multitask and be willing to travel
  • Passion for sports a must and knowledge , understanding and interest in soccer is a plus
  • Online agency relationships (media buying/planning) needed; client relationships a benefit

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Drupal Developer

MLSsoccer.com seeks an experienced Drupal developer to join our in house development team. The ideal candidate will possess: experience architecting and developing a major website using Drupal; a desire to do hands-on development; knowledge of open-source web technologies.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field
  • Master's degree or higher a plus
  • Numerate
  • 5 or more years web development
  • Architecting a platform solution for a major website
  • Experience with a major CMS deployment
  • Successful management of key suppliers
  • Experience in managing a technology stack migration a plus
  • Publishing or media background desirable
  • Open-source technology, specifically Drupal, PHP, MySQL, Linux and Apache
  • Experience with Varnish and other caching systems helpful
  • Ability to function in a collaborative environment; sensitivity to others; high integrity and intelligence; excellent judgment.
  • Innovative
  • Commercially aware
  • Outstanding clarity of thought, ability to analyze business problems or opportunities and provide effective solutions
  • Customer focused and results oriented
  • Capacity and willingness to perform duties with initiative and resourcefulness
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Enjoy making things work and having fun

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Technical Project Manager

Description
MLS Digital is seeking a Technical Project Manager for an immediate opening. The Technical Project Manager will be responsible for managing the software and hardware implementations for systems that power MLSsoccer.com including Drupal content management systems, code repositories, mobile sites and API services. Candidate must possess the ability to effectively manage full life cycle application development and project implementation.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, maintain and effectively execute project plans throughout the life of assigned project(s) which defines activities, sequence, dependencies, work effort, duration and associated resource requirements
  • Plan and manage internal and external project communications, ensuring effective exchange of project information and deliverables
  • Identify, analyze, prioritize, mitigate and communicate project risks
  • Assist with technical feasibility, implementation approach, deployment strategies, and QA efforts
  • Proactively communicate all issues or problems to all project stakeholders
  • Participate in product development activities, scheduling feature additions in iterative release cycles based on priority and importance

Requirements:

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience as a project manager, technical lead, solutions architect, or technical manager
  • Experience with Agile software development and Scrum methology
  • Strong teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Experience with one or more of the following strongly desired: PHP, XML, SQL, Drupal
  • Experience with MS Project, Visio, MS Office
  • Proven ability to work in a fast paced, 24x7 availability environment
  • PMP certification preferable
  • Bachelor's degree highly preferable

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.

Freelance Editor/Shooter

Department
KickTV

Description
Editor/Shooter will work with the newly formed KickTV production team on content for YouTube partner channel. Will produce and edit video projects for digital distribution.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Create and editing original video content for KickTV YouTube Channel
  • Produce and edit highlight clip shows from match footage
  • Light and shoot studio and field productions

Other Roles
As deemed necessary by Director of Production, KickTV

Required Skills:

  • Expert Final Cut Pro and/or Adobe Premiere editing experience
  • Intermediate knowledge of Adobe After Effects (or similar) for titling, text, and motion graphics
  • Understanding of different video specs and codecs
  • Ability to cleanly key chroma backgrounds and work with virtual sets
  • Solid Photoshop experience
  • Understanding of FTP file transfer process
  • Ability to shoot with various HD Cameras, including sound and lighting techniques
  • Excellent time management, work ethic, and team collaboration skills
  • Ability to work on several projects at once while meeting strict deadlines
  • Willingness to travel and work unconventional hours and weekends when necessary

Preferrd Skills:

  • Knowledge and passion for International and Major League Soccer
  • Both studio and field production experience, experience with multi-camera setup
  • Concept, produce, and edit original content independently, managing projects from start to final edit
  • Experience in sports industry

Along with resume and cover letter, please provide link to editor/shooter reel.

To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to mlsjobs@mlssoccer.com.