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@mlsnet.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, sex, national origin, age, or veteran status. Thank you for your interest in joining the soccer community!

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Major League Soccer

Soccer United Marketing

MLS Camps

Year-round coaching positions available

Major League Soccer

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@mlsnet.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 mls.teamworkonline.com.

Read more about the MLS National Sales Center

Coordinator, Operations

Department(s)
Operations

Reports To
Executive Vice President, Competition
Senior Director, Operations

Employees Managing Directly
N/A

Primary Responsibilities

  • Assist with contract management for hotels and ground transportation providers in the 17 MLS markets.
  • Serve as contact person for team administrators, travel agencies, and hotel/bus vendors on issues relating to team travel.
  • Develop and monitor yearly team travel budget based on projections for air, hotel, and ground transportation.
  • Responsible for invoices and billing associated with hotel accommodations and transportation.
  • Provide operations support to Sr. Director Operations at select MLS and SUM events.
  • Distribute game notices and referee game reports for League Season and Reserve League games.
  • Prepare disciplinary summaries and fine notices.
  • Prepare and track referee payments.
  • Serve as recording secretary for the Disciplinary Committee.
  • Assist with administrative duties such as general correspondence, files and archive maintenance.
  • Travel required to certain key MLS events (approximately 10%)

Required Skills

  • Strong organizational skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Experience in event planning and hospitality (preferred)
  • Spanish language skills (a plus)


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

Soccer United Marketing

Director, Business Development

Department
Business Development

Reports To
VP, Business Development

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Provide day-to-day oversight of the sales department, while maintaining focus on the company’s overall strategic goals
  • Establish performance goals for sales managers and monitor performance on a continual basis
  • Prospect and develop new client relationships resulting in the sale of sponsorships across the SUM portfolio
  • Deliver strategic sales presentations to decision makers at the client and agency and negotiating sponsorship deals
  • Manage inventory and pricing to maximize property revenue
  • Seek out and implement saleable programs to increase long term revenue growth
  • Promote the integration of other SUM assets, including the SUM Digital Network into the sponsorship offering
  • Develop and manage internal operating budgets
  • Serve as the departmental representative to counterparts in other functional areas including Partnership Marketing, Digital Sales, Team Services, etc.
  • Support VP in other business related matters

Requirements:

  • A minimum of 7-10 years relevant sales experience
  • Proven experience in leading a national sales force
  • Extensive knowledge of the sports sponsorship and media marketplace
  • Self motivated team player with the ability to work with aggressive individual and team sales goals
  • Superior business and negotiating skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Solutions oriented problem solving mentality a must
  • Ability and willingness to travel
  • Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Language Skills: Spanish
  • Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred

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

New Media Editor

Summary
Major League Soccer is seeking a New Media Editor to manage the editorial process of the league's official website and produce content.

Description
The New Media Editor's responsibility is to manage and develop web content and promotional coverage of the league. The position calls for a sharp person who can wear many hats: writer, editor, producer, blogger. He or she can also handle content management systems and work with photos and video. This includes copyediting and publishing articles to the web, including writing headlines, subheds, and caption; writing breaking news articles and feature stories; and blogging and utilizing social media.

The ideal candidate is fluent in the digital ecosystem, possesses strong writing skills, is capable of working under tight deadlines, has light html skills, and has some experience modifying pictures with a program like Photoshop.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and publish incoming content, including writing headlines, teasers, and summaries that entice readers.
  • Brainstorm and create compelling stories related to MLS, its teams, and its players.
  • Monitor national and international news sources, and write timely and relevant repurposed content for the target demographic.
  • Create realtime content around remote live events and matches, often evenings and weekends.
  • Create community-focused content, such as polls and photo galleries, triggering deeper engagement from community members.
  • Operate within the blogosphere and utilize social-networking tools.
  • Work with editors and content producers at MLS clubs to share content and best practices.


Skills and Requirements

  • Have a deep knowledge and appreciation of soccer, specifically MLS.
  • Be highly familiar with the blogosphere and social media and be comfortable posting content using blogging software or content management system.
  • Have 2+ years experience editing and writing -- preferably in web and/or other short-form content.
  • Have light html and programming skills and the ability to edit pictures
  • Provide writing samples that indicate you are a dynamic writer.
  • Be a self-starter, entrepreneurial, positive, and collaborative.
  • Self-motivated, positive and collaborative attitude.


This is an amazing growth opportunity for any candidate looking to join a highly creative media organization.

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

Local Digital Coordinator, MLS Digital

The Local Digital Coordinator will act as a key member of the MLS Digital Team, helping to coordinate with each of our clubs to ensure they are making the most of their new digital assets. This person will work directly with selected clubs to help, maximize web engagement, market key local initiatives and support the fans. This is an amazing opportunity for any candidate looking to join a fast-paced, growing digital media organization. MLS Digital is a groundbreaking new effort to maximize sports coverage in the new digital media era.

Department
MLS Digital

Reports to:
Local Marketing Manager

Additional Employees in Department
MLS Digital Team

Primary Responsibilities

  • Work directly with four clubs to support their digital efforts
  • Create digital marketing programs in coordination with the club
  • Help the clubs leverage digital systems to drive business results
  • Coordinate digital advertising and sponsorship campaigns
  • Help the clubs create and market ticket packages
  • Coordinate editorial packages
  • Coordinate feature requests to the MLS Development Team
  • Coordinate with the MLS Technology and Editorial teams to launch features and drive engagement
  • Act as a first line of support for local digital initiatives
  • Share best practices between clubs


Other Roles
As deemed necessary by Group Manager, MLS Digital

Required Skills

  • Experience running a website or blog (please include links)
  • Knowledge and deep understanding of Major League Soccer
  • Understanding of digital marketing and advertising
  • Familiarity with the Drupal Content Management System strongly preferred
  • Light HTML and CSS coding skills
  • Photoshop and design ability
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Bachelor's degree


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

Account Executive

Department(s)
Partnership Marketing

Reports To
Director, Partnership Marketing

Employees Managing Directly
Full-Time Intern

Additional Employees in Department
Vice-President, Partnership Marketing
Director, Partnership Marketing
Director, Partnership Marketing
Manager, Marketing Operations
Account Executive, Partnership Marketing
Account Executive, Partnership Marketing
Account Executive, Partnership Marketing
Coordinator, Partnership Marketing
Applicable Interns

Primary Responsibilities

  • Manage and fulfill partner contractual elements, including event benefits, ad/collateral approvals and player appearances.
  • Enhance current partnerships based on feedback and key learnings through creative and strategic program development, aligning with existing SUM properties and identifying viable cross-promotional opportunities
  • Serve as an industry leader, utilizing soccer specific resources and program development to create value for existing/potential SUM Partners and SUM Properties
  • Manage applicable SUM property budgets
  • Liaise with consultant staff to execute sponsorship deliverables onsite
  • Assist in planning, fulfillment and activation of SUM meetings, hospitality and SUM events, including but not limited to Major League Soccer, Federacion Mexicana de Futbol, US Soccer, Chivas de Guadalajara, FC Barcelona, InterLiga, SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF Gold Cup

Other Roles and Functions

  • As deemed necessary by the Director, Partnership Marketing

Requirements

  • Fluent in written and spoken Spanish
  • A minimum of 4-5 years experience of solid marketing/communications/event experience with an agency and/or consumer-oriented company
  • An excellent communicator, a high-energy self-starter and highly intelligent individual with exceptional conceptual and creative skills, with the ability to visualize and translate the needs of partners
  • Strong understanding of the multicultural marketplace with a focus on the Hispanic segment
  • Strong understanding of the sports industry and commitment to stay current on trending and innovations
  • Strong organizational skills including an ability to manage multiple tasks within a fast-paced environment
  • Solid understanding with hands-on event management and execution experience, ideally with Hispanic and Sports related events
  • Demonstrated leadership and management ability. Proven track record in a leadership role with strong coaching and mentoring abilities
  • A keen sense of business process and how marketing, communications, and events are used to impact the bottom line and drive brand objectives
  • Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
  • Ability to travel extensively
  • Bachelor's degree required


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

Coordinator, Operations

Department(s)
SUM International

Reports To
Senior Director – SUM International

Employees Managing Directly
N/A

Additional Employees in Department
Executive Vice President, International
Senior Director, International
Director International
Manager, Operations

Primary Responsibilities

  • Assist SUM Project directors in preparation, marketing and execution of SUM International Events
  • Assist in finding new business opportunities for SUM International events
  • Support management of event operations for SUM International
  • Support management of team and game operations for SUM International
  • Manage accreditation for SUM Operations
  • Manage relationships with visiting team staffs for SUM properties and/or clients; Team Liaison responsibilities
  • Manage suppliers, budget tracking, and administration duties
  • Manage and distribute applicable VIK for International department

Other Roles and Functions
As deemed necessary by the Senior Director, SUM International

Required skills

  • Minimum two (2) yeas client management, event marketing and promotional experience
  • Fluent in spoken and written Spanish
  • Knowledge of world soccer marketplace with an emphasis on US and Mexican regions
  • Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational skills including an ability to manage multiple tasks within a fast-paced environment
  • Bachelor's degree required

Other (Desired) Skills
Other languages a benefit (in addition to English and Spanish)


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

Legal Counsel

Department(s)
Legal

Reports To
Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Employees Managing Directly
N/A

Additional Employees in Department
Senior Counsel
Legal Administrator

Primary Responsibilities
Draft, negotiate and review contracts for League and teams in following areas:

  • Sponsorship
  • Licensing
  • Broadcast/Digital
  • Stadium
  • Special Events

Manage League trademark protection policy
Advise organization on legal issues and recommend course of action

Other Roles and Functions
As deemed necessary by the Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Required Skills

  • Knowledge of applicable laws (contract, intellectual property, media)
  • Ability to draft and negotiate contracts
  • Strong writing skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong Computer skills

Preferred Skills
Spanish fluency

Experience
3+ years practice


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