Director, Partnership Success

OVERVIEW

The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is an MLS soccer club serving the greater Los Angeles area. LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise, and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology, and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing, and developing the 22,000 seat BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal-State Los Angeles.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Partnership Success, will lead the strategic management, activation, retention, and growth of a portfolio of LAFC corporate partnerships representing approximately $8 million to $10 million in annual revenue. Serving as the primary relationship owner for assigned partners, this individual will develop a deep understanding of each partner’s business objectives, ensure the successful execution of all contractual assets, and proactively identify opportunities to optimize partnership value throughout the relationship. 

The ideal candidate is a strategic, commercially minded partner and leader, who combines exceptional relationship management with operational excellence. This individual will be expected to anticipate partner needs, develop creative solutions, identify incremental revenue opportunities, and meet or exceed established retention, renewal, and upsell goals. Furthermore, this individual must be results driven having a partner-first mentality, strong executive presence, attention to detail, and the ability to turn partnership deliverables into impactful programs and long-term revenue growth for the Club.

This position includes a base salary with competitive commission opportunities tied to renewal and incremental revenue performance.

This role reports to the VP, Corporate Partnerships.

LAFC is currently operating on a hybrid work model with a minimum of 2 in-office days per week. Please note that this may vary by role, and your scheduled in-office days are up to the discretion of your supervisor. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned corporate partners, building trusted relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring a high level of partner satisfaction.
• Manage the planning, coordination, and execution of all contractual obligations, including media, promotions, in-stadium activation, hospitality, experiential marketing, and community programs.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of each partner’s business, industry, objectives, and priorities to optimize the value and impact of the partnership throughout the term.
• Create and lead annual account plans for assigned partners, including activation strategy, key milestones, performance objectives, relationship development, renewal strategy, and incremental revenue opportunities.
• Lead the renewal and upsell process for assigned accounts, including opportunity identification, proposal development, presentations, negotiations, and coordination with the Corporate Partnerships Sales team.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Partnerships Sales team to onboard new partners and develop strategic platforms and activation concepts for prospective and existing partners.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal departments to leverage existing programming and develop innovative assets, platforms, and solutions that advance partner objectives and create incremental revenue opportunities for LAFC.
• Develop and maintain an accurate renewal and upsell pipeline, provide regular forecasts and updates to senior leadership, and meet or exceed established revenue goals.
• Establish partnership objectives and key performance indicators, monitor performance, and present midyear and year-end business reviews demonstrating partnership impact, results, and opportunities for optimization.
• Maintain accurate and timely account records, contractual obligation trackers, activation calendars, revenue forecasts, and partner information within applicable partnership management and CRM systems.
• Develop compelling case studies highlighting successful activations, measurable results, and partnership best practices for internal and external use.
• Maintain clear communication with senior leadership regarding account health, partner feedback, activation progress, revenue opportunities, and potential risks.
• Represent LAFC and assigned partners at matches, partner events, community programs, hospitality functions, and other business-related activities
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor / Management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College/University in business, marketing, communications, sports management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 6 years’ of experience in partnership marketing, partnership activation, account management, or client services required.
• Prior experience working in a professional sports organization, league, agency, entertainment property, or major brand required.
• Minimum of 2 years’ of people-management experience, including responsibility for developing, mentoring, and motivating direct reports.
• Demonstrated success managing high-value, complex corporate partnerships and delivering against partner objectives, contractual obligations, and organizational revenue goals.
• Proven track record of retaining and renewing corporate partners, identifying incremental opportunities, and generating upsell revenue from existing accounts.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to develop account strategies, manage revenue pipelines, forecast opportunities, and lead renewal presentations and negotiations.
• Executive presence and the ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with senior-level partner stakeholders, agencies, vendors, and internal leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across various departments such as marketing, content, digital, communications, community relations, events, hospitality, operations, finance, and legal.
• Strategic and creative problem-solver with the ability to anticipate partner needs, navigate complex challenges, and develop solutions that deliver value for both the partner and LAFC.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority accounts, projects, deadlines, and live events in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, negotiation, and proofreading skills.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to exercise sound judgment, take ownership, and operate effectively with limited supervision.
• Proficiency in using Salesforce. Experience with KORE Software is strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage sensitive partner, contractual, financial, and organizational information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and all LAFC home matches and ancillary events, as required.

SALARY RANGE 

At LAFC, we carefully consider a wide range of factors to determine a fair and equitable compensation package. The final offer amount will consider a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience and training. Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure guidelines, the compensation for this role is $100,000 per year.  This position is an exempt position with additional compensation available through competitive commission opportunities.

HIRING PRACTICES

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  

LAFC strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. 

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must possess work authorization, which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa.