Director of Partnerships

Sofive Sponsorship and Partnership Business Development

This newly created role will lead the development and growth of Sofive's sponsorship and partnership business across the United States. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving new commercial revenue through national and multi-site sponsorship agreements with major brands, while helping shape Sofive's long-term commercial strategy.

Working closely with Sofive leadership and City Football Group (Sofive's lead investor) colleagues, the role will focus on identifying commercial opportunities, packaging partnership assets, building relationships with senior brand decision-makers, and leading partnership negotiations from prospecting through to execution.

The ideal candidate will bring an established network across the sponsorship and brand marketing landscape, with experience securing five and six figure commercial agreements for sports, entertainment, hospitality, or media properties.

Success for this position will be measured against an ambitious annual partnership revenue target, developing a strong and sustainable sales pipeline, growing Sofive's commercial partnership platform, and successfully delivering and renewing partnership agreements with high-value national and multi-site partners.

This role reports directly to Sofive's COO. You will be expected to:

• Drive new partnership revenue through the acquisition of national and multi-site sponsorship agreements
• Build and manage a pipeline of qualified prospects across priority categories e.g. beverage, technology, sportswear, gaming, and media
• Develop and package compelling commercial opportunities across Sofive's venues, leagues, tournaments, digital channels, and proprietary video platform
• Lead proactive outreach, relationship development, and senior stakeholder engagement with major brands and agencies
• Structure and negotiate integrated partnership agreements that align with partner objectives and Sofive's commercial ambitions
• Work closely with Sofive leadership to identify collaborative and multi-platform opportunities across City Football Group
• Support the creation of sales materials, partnership presentations, pricing models, and commercial inventory
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, and external agency partners to deliver successful partnership activations
• Maintain accurate pipeline management, forecasting, and CRM reporting
• Represent Sofive at industry events, conferences, networking opportunities, and partner hospitality events

The following skills / qualifications are Essential:

• 5 years of partnership sales, sponsorship, or commercial business development experience
• Strong network of senior contacts across brand marketing, sponsorship, and agency communities
• Proven track record of securing five and six figure partnership agreements
• Familiarity with sponsorship contracts and legal processes
• Experience representing premium sports, entertainment, hospitality, or media properties
• Strong understanding of integrated sponsorship sales and partnership activation
• Excellent relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and storytelling skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to drive the commercial function
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to work cross-functionally with senior stakeholders
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours where required

The following skills / qualifications are Desirable:

• Experience within soccer, participation sports, entertainment, or experiential venue businesses
• Knowledge of the North American soccer, social sport and sponsorship landscape
• Experience working with emerging or growth-stage brands/properties
• Fluency in Spanish or additional languages beneficial

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life