Director, Ticket Operations

There has never been a more exciting time to join Chicago Fire FC. As one of Major League Soccer's original clubs, Chicago Fire FC is in the midst of an exciting era fueled by tremendous investment, ambition, and growth. With a new $100M state-of-the-art Endeavor Health Performance Center now open, new offices in Chicago's iconic Wrigley Building, and plans underway for a privately-funded $750M+ soccer-specific stadium set to open in 2028 in the heart of Chicago, the Club is building the future of soccer in one of the world's great sports cities. Chicago Fire FC is becoming a cultural force in Chicago by connecting communities, shaping experiences, and creating new ways for fans to engage with the game and the city. The Club's future home, McDonald’s Park, will anchor Chicago's newest neighborhood and serve as a catalyst of growth for the next chapter of professional sports and entertainment in the city. Joining Chicago Fire FC today means joining an organization on the rise. Our growth creates once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for ambitious professionals to generate meaningful impact and help shape the future of our Club. Whether on the pitch working match day or in the front office, every team member plays a role in building something incredibly special. At Chicago Fire FC, our mission is to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago through world-class experiences and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are guided by our core values: Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Accountability, and a commitment to Never Settle. If you're looking for a place where your work will matter, your ideas will be heard, and your career can grow alongside one of the most ambitious projects in professional sports, we'd love to hear from you. Position Overview The Director of Ticket Operations will lead Chicago Fire FC’s ticketing operations, systems, inventory strategy, reporting, financial controls, box office operations, and event execution. Reporting to the Chief Ticketing Officer, this leader will oversee the Club’s ticketing ecosystem, partner closely across Revenue and key business functions, and help build the operational foundation for McDonald’s Park. This is a unique opportunity to lead a major ticketing transformation - delivering seamless operations today through Ticketmaster Archtics while guiding the transition to SeatGeek Unify and preparing for the Club’s new stadium in 2028. Success in this role means delivering best-in-class ticket operations today while helping build one of the most modern and scalable ticketing operations in professional sports. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To Lead the Ticket Operations Function Lead the Club's Ticket Operations department, overseeing all ticketing operations, systems, policies, and event execution. Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing Ticket Operations team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Partner closely with the Chief Ticketing Officer, Vice President of Ticket Sales, Service & Operations, and Vice President of McDonald's Park Sales & Service to align operational priorities with the Club's evolving business objectives. Own the Club's Ticketing Ecosystem Serve as the operational owner of the Club's ticketing platforms, leading Ticketmaster Archtics today while guiding the successful transition to SeatGeek Unify. Oversee event builds, manifests, inventory architecture, pricing configuration, payment plans, promotions, user permissions, and system governance across all events. Partner with Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and third-party technology providers to implement enhancements, integrations, and operational improvements that increase efficiency and scalability. Drive Revenue Through Operational Excellence Manage ticket inventory, financial controls, operational reporting, and League reporting while partnering with Revenue leadership to maximize ticket revenue and inventory utilization. Partner with Finance on reconciliations, settlements, payment plans, taxes, and account compliance. Develop reporting and operational insights that enable informed business decisions and support organizational performance. Deliver World-Class Event Operations Lead ticket operations and box office execution for all Chicago Fire matches and Club-supported events. Serve as the senior operational contact for complex ticketing issues while partnering with Stadium Operations, Guest Experience, Security, venue partners, and promoters to deliver an exceptional fan experience. Develop scalable operating procedures, staffing models, and service standards that support MLS matches, concerts, international events, and future programming. Build the Future Lead the operational planning and implementation of the Club's ticketing strategy for McDonald's Park, including systems, workflows, staffing, and operational readiness. Lead cross-functional projects involving multiple business units, vendors, and technology platforms while balancing long-term strategic initiatives with flawless day-to-day execution. Continuously evaluate emerging technologies, industry best practices, and process improvements to ensure Chicago Fire FC remains at the forefront of ticketing operations. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's degree required. 6+ years of progressive ticket operations experience within professional sports, live entertainment, venue management, or a comparable industry. Demonstrated success leading a Ticket Operations department or comparable operational function in a high-volume environment. Deep expertise with Ticketmaster Archtics required; experience with SeatGeek Unify or another enterprise ticketing platform is a plus. Proven experience managing ticket inventory, event configuration, financial reconciliation, reporting, and box office operations. Experience leading complex operational initiatives such as ticketing platform implementations, venue openings, or enterprise technology projects preferred. Strong understanding of how ticket operations supports revenue strategy, premium seating, memberships, and the overall fan experience. Exceptional project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and consistently meeting critical deadlines. Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make thoughtful decisions in a fast-paced, evolving environment with minimal direction. Collaborative leadership style with a proven ability to influence, build consensus, and establish trusted relationships across Revenue, Finance, Marketing, Stadium Operations, Technology, and external partners. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience leveraging data to drive operational and business decisions. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and event days. Compensation This role offers a salary range of $90,000.00-125,000.00 Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals Additional benefits & perks: Official Chicago Fire FC Website Please Note Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club. CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. MLS Privacy Policy By clicking apply, you agree to the terms of the MLS Privacy Policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Chicago Fire FC