Head of Employee Experience

TITLE: Head of Employee Experience

CLUB: Seattle Sounders FC & Seattle Reign FC

DEPARTMENT: People & Culture

REPORTS TO: SVP of People & Culture

FLSA: Salary, Exempt

ROLE: People Manager

 

OUR CLUBS

Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC are entering an exciting new era in the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to growth on and off the pitch. Each club has independently forged a rich history of performance while connecting deeply with the community. Our clubs are continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible while fostering an inclusive culture- championing causes and building community connections to expand our reach and impact. Each match is an opportunity to bring together our community, celebrating our resilience, inclusivity, and a commitment to excellence. United in professional dedication- we are two clubs with one shared vision of progress and greatness.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Employee Experience is a strategic business leader within the People & Culture team, responsible for developing and delivering programs that directly impact organizational performance, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

This role builds and scales people systems that align talent to business objectives, strengthen culture, and drive results across Seattle Sounders FC and Reign FC. By connecting employee experience strategy to enterprise outcomes, this leader ensures our people-first approach is also business-forward and outcome-driven.

Reporting to the SVP of People & Culture, this role guides a high-performing team and partners cross-functionally to embed our values into every stage of the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings emotional intelligence, operational rigor, strategic vision, and a passion for building inclusive, high-performing environments where people thrive.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Performance Enablement

• Build and evolve the employee experience roadmap to support enterprise goals, employee effectiveness, and long-term growth.
• Partner with leadership to reinforce and optimize our evolving performance management systems—ensuring alignment with business goals, clarity in expectations, and fairness in application.
• Equip managers with the tools and training needed to deliver effective feedback, coaching, and development.
• Champion cultural readiness for innovation and AI adoption—encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and a growth mindset across the employee experience.

Culture

• Lead the employee engagement strategy—including surveys, feedback loops, and action plans—partnering with leaders to interpret insights and drive impactful changes.
• Activate the club's mission and values across programs, communications, and day-to-day experiences.
• Design and deliver initiatives that build belonging, trust, and a strong sense of shared purpose.

Learning & Development

• Build scalable learning frameworks to support onboarding, functional excellence, leadership development, and internal mobility.
• Align talent development programs to business needs and workforce planning.
• Support succession planning and skill-building across departments.

Internal Communications & Change Enablement

• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications, and leadership to ensure internal communication is timely, aligned, and effective.
• Foster a culture of transparent and consistent communication that supports engagement and alignment across the organization.

Workplace Experience

• Oversee the strategy and execution of employee experiences, including onboarding, recognition, employee events, and cultural activations.
• Lead and manage the office administration team responsible for creating a best-in-class physical workplace environment.
• Collaborate with IT to optimize workplace environments for productivity, collaboration, and culture continuity.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of progressive experience in employee experience, organizational development, or HR roles with a track record of leading culture-forward strategy & execution.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and retain high performing talent.
• Proven success implementing performance management, engagement, and learning systems that enable business outcomes.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect people strategies to operational and enterprise goals.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and change management skills.
• Familiarity with engagement tools and platforms (LMS, survey tools, AI-enhanced platforms, etc.)
• Strong curiosity, a mindset for innovation, and experience supporting organizational change.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to influence across teams and levels
• Experience in sports, entertainment, hospitality, or mission-driven organizations is a plus

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This role is hybrid but requires regular on-site presence at our Headquarters & Training Facility in Renton, WA.
• Employee must reside within Washington state upon hire date.
• 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.

 

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 $100,000 - $150,000. The base salary at the time of offer will consider factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity and current market conditions.

In addition to financial compensation, we provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and professional growth, including:

• 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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