Director, Partnership Strategy

Company Overview 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 Chicago Fire FC is seeking an innovative, strategic, and data‑driven Director of Corporate Partnership Strategy to lead the Club's partnership strategy function and help shape the future of commercial partnerships as we prepare for the opening of McDonald's Park. Reporting to the Vice President of Partnership Marketing & Strategy, this leadership role will oversee the development of integrated partnership strategies that drive new business revenue, support partner renewals and upsells, and position Chicago Fire FC as an industry leader in sports partnerships. The Director will lead a team of two while collaborating across the organization to develop compelling partnership narratives, create innovative partnership assets, build best‑in‑class sales materials, and leverage research and analytics to tell impactful commercial stories. This role will play a critical part in the commercialization of McDonald’s Park by helping define new inventory, developing scalable partnership platforms, and creating innovative opportunities that maximize long‑term revenue growth. Job Responsibilities Partnership Strategy & Commercial Development Lead the Club's partnership strategy function, developing innovative sponsorship solutions that drive new business, renewals, and long‑term revenue growth. Drive the commercialization of McDonald's Park by developing new partnership assets, entitlement opportunities, and scalable sponsorship platforms. Oversee the creation of compelling sales presentations, partnership proposals, and strategic storytelling that effectively communicate the value of Chicago Fire FC partnerships. Partner with senior leadership to identify, package, and position premium partnership opportunities that maximize commercial value. Asset Strategy & Insights Collaborate cross‑functionally to create innovative, sellable partnership assets while balancing fan experience and business objectives. Leverage market research, fan insights, and partnership analytics to inform partnership strategy and strengthen sales efforts. Oversee partnership inventory management, valuation recommendations, rate cards, and performance reporting to support revenue growth. Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop the Partnership Strategy team while establishing processes and best practices that drive collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Corporate Partnerships leadership team, helping shape the Club's long‑term commercial vision. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Sports Management, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship strategy, sports marketing, or a related commercial role. 3+ years of leadership experience managing and developing high‑performing teams. Proven experience developing partnership strategies, sponsorship packages, and sales presentations that drive revenue. Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate research, data, and business objectives into compelling partnership solutions. Exceptional communication, presentation, project management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment and work non‑traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Preferred Qualifications High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and design tools for mockups and presentations (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva). Experience working with data analysis platforms (e.g., Kore, Salesforce, YouGov, Blinkfire). Understanding of the sports, entertainment, or event sponsorship industry. Compensation This role offers a base salary of $100,000. This role is classified as Full‑time, exempt. This role is bonus eligible based on club‑wide goals. Additional benefits & perks: 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 opportunity 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. 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