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About the Role

The Vice President, Business Strategy & Commercial Operations is responsible for driving the long-term growth, commercial success, and strategic evolution of MLS NEXT Pro. This leader oversees business expansion, corporate development, commercial operations, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with Major League Soccer's broader objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic independent team expansion of MLS NEXT Pro by identifying and evaluating prospective markets, ownership groups, and stadium opportunities.
• Serve as the point of contact for Hometown Soccer Holdings to execute the League's expansion strategy and long-term growth initiatives.
• Assess potential independent team market viability through financial, demographic, and competitive analysis.
• Partner with HS to build relationships with municipalities, government officials, developers, and prospective ownership groups to facilitate expansion and stadium development projects.
• Lead cross-functional diligence and negotiations throughout the expansion process.
• Lead all corporate development initiatives for MLS NEXT Pro in support of League growth and strategic priorities.
• Oversee club acquisition and sale transactions, including due diligence, valuation support, transaction execution, and stakeholder management.
• Identify and execute league-wide strategic investments, partnerships, joint ventures, and capital initiatives.
• Evaluate equity, debt financing, and other capital-raising opportunities that strengthen the League's long-term financial position.
• Lead investment evaluations for emerging technologies and innovative platforms that enhance League operations and competitive positioning.
• Structure and negotiate future media rights and strategic commercial agreements.
• Support MLS NEXT Pro clubs in maximizing local revenue opportunities across sponsorship, ticketing, consumer products, hospitality, and media distribution.
• Provide strategic guidance and best practices to club executives on commercial growth initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with MLS NEXT Pro Commercial Rules while identifying innovative revenue opportunities that benefit both clubs and the League.
• Collaborate across MLS commercial teams to maximize enterprise-wide revenue opportunities.
• Lead long-range strategic planning initiatives that advance the League's vision and business objectives.
• Partner with Business Intelligence and Strategy teams to establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators.
• Develop executive-level business cases and recommendations for League leadership and the Board of Governors.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.
• Serve as a strategic connector across the MLS enterprise, driving alignment among business units to advance MLS NEXT Pro priorities.
• Partner closely with Legal, Finance, Business Development, New Ventures, Operations, Consumer Products, MLS Season Pass, MLS SUM, Broadcast, the Commissioner's Office, and other departments to execute League initiatives.
• Lead complex, cross-functional projects requiring executive-level collaboration and stakeholder alignment.
• Partner with the New Ventures team to identify emerging industry trends and new business opportunities.
• Develop and pilot innovative initiatives that enhance fan engagement, commercial performance, and League growth.
• Evaluate opportunities across media, technology, digital products, fan experiences, and adjacent soccer properties.
• Oversee the League's Broadcast, Media, and Content function.
• Ensure all matches are delivered to League standards for broadcast quality, production excellence, and fan experience.
• Collaborate with internal and external broadcast partners to enhance content distribution and media value.
• Lead preparation of commercial development presentations and strategic materials for the MLS NEXT Pro Board of Governors and League committees.
• Coordinate cross-functional input to ensure accurate, aligned, and impactful executive communications.
• Present strategic recommendations and business updates to League leadership, owners, and governance committees.
• Serve as the primary business contact for MLS NEXT Pro club owners and Business Committee members on commercial and business operations matters.
• Act as the League's primary relationship manager for Hometown Soccer Holdings (HSH) and KKR regarding centralized commercial initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with club executives, sponsors, media partners, investors, investment banks, consultants, and key stakeholders across the global sports industry.
• Represent MLS NEXT Pro in strategic meetings, negotiations, and industry forums.
• Manage hiring and onboarding process by interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Accomplish team results by communicating job expectations and managing the Performance Management process.
• Plan, monitor, and review performance.
• Coach and counsel employees.
• Develop and implement department procedures and productivity standards and reinforce Company policies.
• Develop personal growth opportunities for employees.
• Attract, develop, and motivate a high performing organization with a strong, values-based culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Sports Management, Economics, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in professional sports, media, investment banking, private equity, corporate development, consulting, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex corporate development, M&A, strategic partnerships, and commercial negotiations.
• Proven ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships with owners, investors, and senior business leaders.
• Strong financial acumen, strategic planning, and analytical skills.
• Experience leading high-performing cross-functional teams and influencing across matrixed organizations.
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience within professional sports leagues, franchises, media companies, or sports investment organizations.
• Knowledge of media rights, sponsorship, and commercial partnership structures.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors, ownership groups, or governance committees.
• Familiarity with stadium development, expansion strategy, and sports business economics.

Skills

• Business Strategy
• Commercial Operations
• Corporate Development
• M&A
• Strategic Partnerships
• Commercial Negotiations
• Financial Acumen
• Strategic Planning
• Analytical Skills
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Executive Communication
• Presentation Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Media Rights
• Sponsorship
• Commercial Partnership Structures
• Board Governance
• Stadium Development
• Expansion Strategy
• Sports Business Economics

Location

• Remote (1 day/week)
• In-office (4 days/week)

Work Type

• Hybrid

Experience Level

• Executive Leadership (12+ years)

Education Level

• Bachelor's Degree
• MBA or advanced degree preferred

Salary/Compensations

• $200,000 - $250,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• $500 wellness reimbursement
• Generous Holiday and PTO schedule
• On-the-job training
• Feedback
• Ongoing educational opportunities

About the Company

• Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.
• MLS NEXT Pro is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, serving as a developmental league for Major League Soccer.

Equal Opportunity

• Major League Soccer is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Major League Soccer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process, as well as during employment. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact Human Resources to request assistance.