Senior Manager, Premium Content Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Premium Content Partnerships

🔹 Company: Major League Soccer

🔹 Location: New York, NY

🔹 Job Type: On-site (Hybrid)

🔹 Category: Sports

🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving new revenue opportunities for SUM properties and expanding MLS's global reach
• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with networks, streaming services, and production companies
• Overseeing operational aspects of key department functions, such as sales collateral creation and asset delivery
• Collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure effective communication and coordination

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. It is ideal for candidates with a deep understanding of the sports media landscape and experience in media rights licensing.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Identify and negotiate strategic content partnerships domestically and internationally

✅ Oversee footage licensing and asset delivery, including receiving requests, negotiating terms, and obtaining necessary creative approvals

✅ Support the ideation and production of new premium feature development opportunities

✅ Maintain and update internal trackers for all active deals and footage licenses

✅ Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure regular updates on new content partnerships and premium feature productions

✅ Create PowerPoint presentations for external and internal parties

✅ Assist with administrative duties as assigned by senior team members

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic partnership development, operational oversight, and cross-functional collaboration. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are crucial for success in this position.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required

Experience: 7+ years of professional experience required in media rights licensing at an entertainment and/or sports media company

Required Skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of Major League Soccer and the sports media landscape
• Interest and understanding of multiplatform digital content landscape ecosystem, trends, and opportunities
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills
• Familiarity with best practices for social media, mobile, and video
• High attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• High-level commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Flexibility and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of the Spanish Language (business proficiency)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of the sport of soccer
• Ability to travel and to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and operational proficiency. Candidates with a strong background in media rights licensing and a deep understanding of the sports media landscape are ideal for this position.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 per year (based on individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• $500 wellness reimbursement
• Generous holiday and PTO schedule
• Career and professional development opportunities, including on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site 4 days a week, remote 1 day a week, plus 2 additional remote flex days per month)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the information given in the job listing. The actual salary may vary depending on individual qualifications, market conditions, and operational business needs.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sports

Company Size: Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, with 29 teams currently competing, including three in Canada.

Founded: MLS was founded in 1996 and began play in 1996 with 10 teams. It has since grown to become one of the most popular sports leagues in North America.

Company Description:

• MLS is responsible for organizing and promoting professional soccer in the United States and Canada
• The league is headquartered in New York City, with teams based in various cities across the United States and Canada
• MLS is known for its high-quality soccer, competitive teams, and passionate fan base

Company Specialties:

• Professional soccer league operations
• Sports marketing and partnerships
• Broadcast and digital media production and distribution

Company Website: http://www.mlssoccer.com/

ASSUMPTION: MLS is a well-established and highly visible sports league with a strong brand and a large fan base. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with a focus on driving revenue growth and expanding the league's global reach.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Manager

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Premium Content Partnerships and works closely with various internal teams, including legal, finance, partnership marketing, operations, social media, and content.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site 4 days a week, remote 1 day a week, plus 2 additional remote flex days per month)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to expand the role's responsibilities as the league continues to grow and evolve
• Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
• Possibility to advance to a more senior role within the organization, such as Vice President or Senior Vice President

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the organization as the league continues to expand and succeed.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (on-site 4 days a week, remote 1 day a week, plus 2 additional remote flex days per month)

Office Location(s): 420 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018

Geographic Context:

• New York City is a major hub for the sports industry, with numerous professional sports teams and leagues based in the area
• The city offers a diverse and vibrant culture, with numerous entertainment, dining, and recreational opportunities
• New York City is also a major center for business and finance, with a strong economy and numerous job opportunities

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site 4 days a week, remote 1 day a week, plus 2 additional remote flex days per month)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing employees to collaborate and build relationships in the office while also enjoying the flexibility and convenience of working from home one day a week and two additional remote flex days per month.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final interview with the Senior Vice President, Premium Content Partnerships
• Background check and reference check
• Job offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Operational proficiency and attention to detail
• Cultural fit and alignment with MLS values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the sports media landscape and Major League Soccer in your application materials
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with strategic partnerships, operational oversight, and cross-functional collaboration

ATS Keywords: Media rights licensing, strategic partnerships, operational oversight, cross-functional collaboration, sports media landscape, Major League Soccer

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on candidates who have a strong background in media rights licensing and a deep understanding of the sports media landscape. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication and presentation skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the industry and should be familiar to candidates with a background in media rights licensing and partnership development.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on excellence
• Adaptable and open to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• Are you a strong communicator with excellent presentation skills?
• Do you have a proven track record of success in media rights licensing and partnership development?
• Are you committed to working collaboratively with internal teams to achieve shared goals?

ASSUMPTION: MLS values candidates who are passionate, innovative, and committed to working collaboratively with internal teams to achieve shared goals. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and a willingness to adapt to change in a fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a high volume of partnerships and licensing requests
• Balancing strategic partnership development with operational oversight
• Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
• Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for candidates with a strong background in media rights licensing and partnership development. Successful candidates will be able to manage a high volume of partnerships and licensing requests, balance strategic partnership development with operational oversight, and adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other senior manager positions in media rights licensing and partnership development, but with a focus on the sports industry and Major League Soccer specifically
• Unlike other roles in the industry, this position offers the opportunity to work with a high-profile, global sports league with a large and passionate fan base
• Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a more senior role within the organization, such as Vice President or Senior Vice President

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges for candidates with a strong background in media rights licensing and partnership development. Successful candidates will be able to leverage their experience and skills to drive revenue growth and expand the league's global reach.

📝 Sample Projects

• Negotiating a strategic content partnership with a major streaming service
• Overseeing the licensing of footage for a high-profile event or production
• Creating a comprehensive tracker for all active deals and footage licenses, including rights availability and restrictions, deal status, and contract expirations

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage complex partnerships, oversee operational aspects of key department functions, and collaborate effectively with internal teams.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Premium Content Partnerships department?
• How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure and strategic goals of Major League Soccer?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Major League Soccer support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization. Successful candidates will be able to ask insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and their commitment to driving success in the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with strategic partnerships, operational oversight, and cross-functional collaboration
• Research Major League Soccer and the sports media landscape to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and the league
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.