Manager, Commercial Operations

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players in the world. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially, with 2024 attendance topping 2 million fans for the first time- the third straight year the league surpassed 1 million in total attendance. Viewership across all broadcast media partners - Amazon, CBS, ESPN and Scripps - was up 285% year over year, and team valuations continue to soar. This growth underscores the league's expanding fan base and growing presence in both the sports media landscape and in pop culture. The future of the NWSL has never looked brighter.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is experiencing extraordinary growth, revolutionizing the sports landscape and redefining the reach of women's sports. With expansion into new markets, record-breaking attendance, and unprecedented viewership, NWSL is poised for even greater commercial success.

Position Description

The NWSL Manager of Commercial Strategy & Operations is responsible for driving strategic thinking and cross-functional initiatives that are critical to the long-term success of the National Women's Soccer League. This role will work closely with both Strategy team, and the Marketing and Commercial Organization (MCO), to shape and execute the League's strategic vision, optimize operational processes, manage key board/committee relationships, and drive high growth across the ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning
  • Maintain and appropriately iterate the NWSL's long-term strategic plan, with a particular emphasis on Marketing and Commercial strategy, working cross-functionally to build a cadence to connect strategic planning with annual operational planning.
  • Conduct data-driven analysis and research to support the Marketing & Commercial Organization in uncovering actionable insights to guide the direction of the NWSL.
  • Manage critical commercial business operations around budget and headcount in meaningful partnership with the Office of League Transformation, including with our Finance and People teams.

• Commercial Committee Management
  • Collaborate directly with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the Chair of the NWSL Commercial Committee to manage the operations and execution of the monthly Commercial Committee meetings
  • Lead agenda creation and coordinate with the rest of the League Office to ensure presentations are prepared promptly and effectively
  • Own Committee follow up and project manage initiatives within the Committee's remit.

• Project Management
  • Lead cross-functional projects from inception to completion that support NWSL long-term goals by designing workback plans, managing key stakeholders, and developing ownership models, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
  • Identify and mitigate project risks to keep delivery on track.

• Operational Management
  • Monitor, analyze, and document League objectives and key results (OKRs) to guide internal work streams and ensure appropriate resources are being allocated to achieve our goals.
  • Maintain connectivity across the internal organization and identify best working practices within the commercial team to drive organizational efficiencies.
  • Support the Chief Commercial Officer and other Senior Leaders on the commercial team in preparing for Board of Governors communications and meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• 3+ years of professional experience, preferably at a strategy consulting firm or investment bank
• Excellent quantitative, financial, research, modeling, and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional project management skills and ability to prioritize workflow
• Ability to quickly identify key takeaways from conversations with multiple stakeholders
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments with a start-up mindset
• Ability to deliver high-quality work and execute under pressure and deadlines
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills combined with a professional demeanor
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Able and willing to travel as needed

Desired Qualifications

• Has a strong professional and positive presence that well represents the league both internally and externally
• Passion for the sport of soccer
• Strong bias for action
• A strong understanding for the broader soccer culture and the more nuanced women's soccer culture in the United States
• Experience in the Sports, Entertainment, Media, and Technology sectors

Salary: $80,000.00 - $115,000.00

NWSL observes a hybrid work schedule of three working days in the physical office and two remote working days.

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.