Director of Partnership Marketing - Sounders

JOB TITLE:                 Director of Partnership Marketing

CLUB:                         Seattle Sounders FC

DEPARTMENT:           Corporate Partnerships 

REPORTS TO:            Vice President of Partnership Marketing

TYPE:                          Full-Time Regular

FLSA:                          Exempt

TYPE:                          People Manager

 

OUR CLUB

Seattle Sounders FC is a progressive high performing collection of people who strive to achieve the highest levels of our sport while making a transformative impact in our communities in the best soccer city in America. Our culture is focused on serving one of the most passionate sports fan bases in North America who are invested in the Sounders as much for our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities as they are for winning the 2019 MLS Cup and 2022 CONCACAF Champions League on home soil. We exist to create special moments like these, where we enrich lives and unify our fans and city through soccer. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Partnership Marketing at Seattle Sounders FC will lead the execution, management, and growth of corporate partnerships, ensuring best-in-class service and activation for all partners. This role will oversee a team of Partnership Marketing Account Managers, who drive day-to-day partnership activations and fulfillment. The Director will be responsible for maximizing partner value through innovative activations across matchday experiences, digital and social media, branding, and community engagement initiatives, while also leading upsell and renewal opportunities.

Success in this role requires strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a solutions-oriented mindset to drive impactful sponsorship activations. The Director will work closely with internal departments, corporate sponsors, and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution, enhance brand visibility, and strengthen long-term partner relationships.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and mentor a team of Partnership Marketing Account Managers, fostering a high-performance, client-first culture.
• Oversee the strategic planning and execution of sponsorship activations, ensuring seamless fulfillment of partner agreements.
• Develop long-term relationships with corporate partners, understanding their business objectives and aligning them with Sounders FC’s assets and platforms.
• Identify and implement process improvements to optimize partnership execution, asset utilization, AI-driven marketing strategies, and budget management.

Partner Activation & Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate partners, ensuring top-tier service and execution.
• Oversee all aspects of matchday operations, including stadium activations, staffing, promotions, hospitality, game presentation, and on-site partner activations.
• Lead the creation of mid-season and end-of-year reports highlighting key engagement metrics and overall impact for corporate partners and senior leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Corporate Partnerships Sales to onboard and integrate new partners seamlessly.
• Work across internal departments—including marketing, ticketing, data/analytics, and community impact—to ensure alignment in delivering partner value.
• Develop and execute upsell and renewal opportunities, identifying new ways for partners to expand their presence with the club.

Operations & Budget Oversight

• Work alongside the VP of Partnership Marketing to manage the partnership activation budget, ensuring cost-effective and impactful activations.
• Enhance operational efficiency by implementing tracking systems and processes, leveraging AI-driven tools where applicable to streamline partner communication and ensure seamless execution of sponsorship activations.
• Work game days, weekends, and special events to support activations, entertain partners, and build relationships with new prospects.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in partnership marketing, sponsorship activation, or cross-functional brand marketing, preferably in sports or entertainment.
• Successful record of managing large-scale sponsorships and activations, delivering measurable value for partners.
• Strong understanding of brand marketing, fan engagement, and the sports sponsorship landscape.
• Exceptional leadership skills with experience managing personnel, projects, and tight timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with clients, executives, internal teams, and vendors.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
• Passion for soccer and a commitment to growing the sport.

Preferred:

• Experience with MLS inventory, guidelines, and sponsorship processes.
• Knowledge of digital marketing, social media sponsorship integration, and community engagement initiatives.
• Experience leveraging data analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Looker) to measure partnership impact.
• Familiarity with AI-powered tools for automation, personalization, or performance tracking in partnership marketing.
• Innovative mindset, capable of contributing creative, data-driven ideas to enhance partnerships and club-wide marketing efforts.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• This role requires regular on-site presence at our Headquarters & Training Facility in Renton, WA, as part of a hybrid work arrangement.
• Must reside within Washington state upon date of hire.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be able to facilitate own local travel.
• Must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship
• Responsibilities include regular work outdoors and may require standing on feet for long periods of time, as well as some lifting of up to 20 pounds.

 

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

We offer competitive compensation and an engaging, supportive environment that prioritizes the health and well-being of our people by providing the following top-notch benefits.

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 - $125,000 and eligible for bonus opportunity. Base pay at time of offer will take into account job-related knowledge, skills and experience required for the role, internal equity and market.

Our Total Rewards package for full-time team members includes:

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: We offer 100% employer-sponsored premiums for you and your dependents.
• Generous and Flexible PTO: Our Paid Time Off plan is designed with your well-being in mind, offering unlimited paid vacation.
• Retirement Planning Support: 401(k) retirement plan matching, helping you secure your financial future with ease.
• Inclusive Parental Leave: Our gender-neutral parental leave program provides 12-16 weeks of paid leave, giving new parents the time and support they need during this important life stage.
• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy complimentary tickets to matches, making it easier for you to experience the excitement firsthand.
• Continuous Growth Opportunities: We invest in your learning and development through various programs and resources.
• Community Engagement: We provide a variety of volunteer opportunities that align with our social impact goals and RAVE Foundation initiatives, empowering you to make a meaningful difference in the Seattle community.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee is respected, valued and supported. We celebrate our diverse work environment and welcome team members of all backgrounds and perspectives. To that end, if you do not meet every job requirement listed, we still encourage you to apply. We believe your relevant experience and expertise will help us become a high-performing best-in-class workplace for all. Women, gender-nonbinary, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The physical demands reflected in the duties and work environment herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. If you’d like to request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please do so by emailing the People & Culture Team.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

 

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