Director, Social Media

JOB TITLE: Director, Social Media CLUB: Seattle Sounders FC & Seattle Reign FC DEPARTMENT: Brand Marketing REPORTS TO: VP, Brand & Social TYPE: Full-Time FLSA: Salary, Exempt ROLE: People Manager OUR CLUBS Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC are united as one soccer family, driven by a shared commitment to excellence, growth, and impact 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 Director, Social Media is responsible for defining and evolving how Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC show up in the world—every day, in real time, and across culture. This role leads social media strategy and execution across both clubs, overseeing two dedicated teams while ensuring each brand maintains a distinct voice and identity. You will operate as a builder and architect—designing systems, shaping content direction, and enabling teams to create work that drives both cultural relevance and measurable growth. You will also lead the organization’s evolution in how AI is used across content and workflow—identifying tools, building processes, and embedding new ways of working that increase speed, creativity, and impact. Success in this role requires a balance of brand instinct and analytical rigor. You will define what great looks like, test relentlessly, and use data to continuously refine how we engage and grow our audiences. YOUR SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY Fanbase growth and engagement Revenue growth through sponsored content and ticket sales Increase brand status and employee engagement through impactful content and storytelling that elevates both brands, and celebrates organizational culture and values Collaborate across the organization to ensure digital efforts are aligned with broader organizational outcomes. Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing and highly engaged team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership Define and execute a cohesive social media and digital strategy that aligns with organizational goals for revenue, fan growth, and engagement. Develop initiatives that amplify brand presence, foster community, and achieve measurable business outcomes. Serve as a thought leader on digital and social innovation, ensuring the organization stays ahead of industry trends. Social Strategy & Brand Expression Define and lead social media strategy for both Sounders FC and Reign FC, ensuring distinct voices with aligned ambition. Translate brand priorities into clear, actionable content direction across platforms. Push creative boundaries within defined brand guardrails to ensure cultural relevance and differentiation. Storytelling Excellence, Content Systems & IP Development Collaborate with marketing and content teams to deliver compelling, on-brand content that resonates with prioritized audiences. Leverage video, live streams, interactive formats, and graphics to engage fans and deepen their connection to the clubs. Partner closely with Brand and Creative teams to develop scalable content systems and recurring formats (content IP). Balance planned storytelling (series, long-form, narrative arcs) with real-time and matchday content. Ensure consistency, quality, and clarity in how content ladders up to broader brand goals. AI & Workflow Transformation Lead how the organization adopts and integrates AI across social and content creation. Identify and implement tools (e.g., generative AI, video, design, and ideation platforms) that enhance creative output and efficiency. Build repeatable workflows that enable teams to create smarter, faster, and at higher quality. Performance & Optimization Establish and evolve a data-driven approach to social performance. Analyze audience behavior, content performance, and platform trends to inform strategy. Optimize content, formats, and publishing approaches based on continuous learning. Analyze platform performance metrics, developing actionable insights to optimize campaigns and platform strategies. Establish KPIs and a data-driven approach to decision-making, leveraging analytics to achieve continuous improvement. Experimentation & Innovation Create a culture of experimentation across the social team. Design and lead structured testing across content formats, platforms, and workflows. Translate insights into scalable improvements in both creative output and operational systems. Partnership Integration Oversee social execution of partnership commitments. Develop innovative approaches to integrating sponsors into content in ways that feel native, creative, and valuable to fans. Collaboration and Alignment Act as a key liaison between internal teams to ensure seamless integration of strategies. Advocate for the social and digital platforms across the organization, driving alignment with overall business goals. Create digital campaigns that celebrate employees, enhance internal culture, and reflect the organization's values. Build community-driven initiatives that enhance the clubs’ relationships with fans, partners, and employees. Team Leadership & Development Lead and develop social media teams across both clubs, fostering a culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous learning. Empower teams to execute at a high level while providing strategic direction and support. Push the team to evolve, challenge norms, and operate at the forefront of the industry. Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of social media and digital specialists, fostering a culture in alignment with organizational values. Champion continuous learning by providing development opportunities, clear career paths, and actionable feedback. HOW SUCCESS IS MEASURED Audience Growth: Expansion within priority audiences across key platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) Engagement Quality: Depth of interaction (shares, saves, completion rates) and content resonance Content Impact: Development and performance of recurring content formats and storytelling systems Experimentation Velocity: Volume and effectiveness of testing across content, platforms, and workflows Operational Evolution: Adoption and impact of AI-driven tools and processes across the team QUALIFICATIONS 10+ years of experience in social media, content, or digital storytelling, with 5+ years leading teams Proven ability to build and execute social strategies that drive both brand relevance and measurable growth Strong understanding of platform dynamics, especially TikTok, Instagram, and emerging formats Experience developing content systems, series, or repeatable formats that scale Demonstrated ability to leverage data and analytics to inform decisions and optimize performance Experience integrating emerging technologies (including AI tools) into creative or operational workflows Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, challenge, and inspire teams Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels when needed WORK ENVIRONMENT This role requires regular on-site presence, Tuesday-Thursday, at our Headquarters & Training Facility in Renton, WA, as part of a hybrid work arrangement. Frequent attendance at Sounders FC and Reign FC matches is also expected. This role may require occasional road travel to support club matches, content priorities, events, or other business needs. Employee must reside within Washington state upon date of hire. 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. Responsibilities may require standing on feet for long periods of time, as well as lifting up to 20 pounds. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS We offer competitive compensation and an engaging, supportive environment that prioritizes the health and well-being of our people. The annual salary range for this position is $130,000 - $170,000. Positioning within the range at time of offer is based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, 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 medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your dependents. For employees enrolled in our HSA healthcare plan, we provide employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) — $1,000 per year for employee-only coverage and $2,000 per year for spouse or family coverage. Generous Paid Time Off & Leave: We offer unlimited paid vacation, paid company holidays, and paid sick leave in compliance with Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time ordinance. We also provide paid bereavement leave and paid jury duty leave to support you during life’s critical moments. Retirement Planning Support: 401(k) retirement plan matching, helping you secure your financial future with ease. Fertility & Family-Building Support: We provide a $10,000 lifetime maximum fertility benefit through our healthcare plan to support employees in their family-building journeys. This benefit includes coverage for infertility treatment, IVF, IUI, embryo transfer, fertility preservation, and related medications. Inclusive Parental Leave: Our gender-neutral parental leave program provides 12–16 weeks of paid leave, inclusive of Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML), giving new parents the time and support they need during this important life stage. Peace of Mind Coverage: Employer-paid long-term disability coverage, as well as basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, providing financial protection and peace of mind for you and your family. Exclusive Perks: Enjoy complimentary tickets to matches and employer-funded ORCA cards for public transit, making it easier for you to experience the excitement firsthand. Continuous Growth Opportunities: We invest in your learning and development through various programs, resources, and experiences that support growth, internal mobility, and career advancement. 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. PRIVACY POLICY By clicking Submit Application, you agree to the terms of the MLS Privacy Policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr