Position: Vice President, Team Business Operations Houston Roughnecks

Reporting to: Executive Vice President, Business Operations & Administration

About the United Football League 

The United Football League (UFL) is the professional spring football league, born from the groundbreaking 2024 merger of the XFL and USFL. With the visionary backing of RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, ESPN and Mike Repole, the UFL is redefining the football landscape. The UFL is committed to pushing the boundaries of the game and delivering an elevated experience for players, fans, and partners alike.

About the Position

The Vice President (VP), Team Business Operations for the Houston Roughnecks will be the team’s business lead in the local market, will drive revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales, lead community outreach, liaise with our venue partner and help drive fan and community engagement.  The VP will lead a team developing forward thinking strategies, campaigns, promotions, community outreach and live events that drive ticket and local/team sponsorship sales and ensure alignment with the league’s business plan. The VP will be a well-respected leader and contribute to the  fabric of the community.  Must have a proven track record as a self starter in driving revenue and have the ability to build, lead and mentor results-oriented, high performing professionals working collaboratively across the team and league to deliver exceptional results for the organization. 

What you will do

• Responsible for building, implementing and executing business plans to drive revenue and hit key targets

• Work with league sponsorship and team sponsorship director to:

  • Build and manage partner sales pipeline with local sponsorship opportunities; ensure all information is captured and consistently updated in CRM

  • Identify sponsorship and partnership assets and opportunities at events and during game days

  • Attend partner meetings and pitches; host business partners and visit with season ticket members and premium ticket buyers during games

  • Through your cultivation of local sponsorship opportunities, identify and lead national opportunities for league investment

  • Assist team sponsorship director on end-to-end sales process for all partnerships

  • Assist in the development and management of team sponsorship inventory, including oversight of relationship with the venue for activation

  • Assist in partnership renewals and upselling current sponsors

• Work with league ticketing to:

  • Build and manage a personal pipeline to sell ticket packages with consistent updates to CRM and league leadership

  • Achieve an individual and market ticket revenue target

  • Assist with season ticket member outreach and sales

  • Develop annual season ticket member renewal plans and campaigns

  • Help develop group theme nights

  • Attend team marketing and STM events

  • Meet with STMs and other ticket buyers as needed to ensure excellent customer experience

• Work with league marketing and communications to implement strategies and plans to help drive sponsorship, ticket revenues and attendance.

• Collaborate with league vertical leads on local budgets and deliver against key performance metrics.

Leadership + Community Engagement

• Lead a team of individuals across all business functions.

• Act as the hub in your market for all verticals (e.g., marketing, ticketing, sponsorship, comms, etc.); share information across business functions and ensure strategies are aligned and implemented

• Create, build and nurture a positive and collaborative culture across business functions at the team.

• Partner and work collaboratively with league department heads to define, implement and realize team’s business performance and successful outcomes.

• Develop key relationships with community leaders, business leaders and city officials.

• Represent the team as a spokesperson across local media and community functions.

Business Operations

• Develop strong relationship with venue partner and be the primary point of contact for sharing information.

• Assist in the implementation and execution of business plans for marketing (digital & social), communications and the game day experience.

• Engage prospective and current UFL fans in a professional and positive manner through  various promotions, events, and marketing efforts. 

• Work with league marketing to implement creative, multi-platform, 360-degree marketing programs and campaigns across multiple channels and departments to engage the local and regional  markets.

• Work with league PR to drive team communications and strategies that will build and promote UFL’s awareness, brand, and reputation that aligns with league strategic goals. 

• Oversee office space, if any, and be the primary point of contact with the landlord.

• Assist in gameday operations with team members.

What you will bring

• 7+ years leadership and management experience. Must have experience leading a unique team structure.

• 10+ years of sales and/or marketing & sponsorship/revenue generating experience with an emphasis on consumer-facing media, sports, or entertainment industries. 

• Knowledge of and deep relationships with Houston and the greater Houston community. 

• Strong sales acumen and brand marketer. 

• Excellent presentation and communication skills. 

• Budget planning and management experience; business planning and implementation. 

• Understanding of the drivers of consumer engagement, and the ability to employ these through successful campaigns and promotions. 

• Comfort being interviewed and being the public spokesperson for the team.

• Ability to lead while managing complexity and ambiguity, understanding business  challenges, and creating forward-thinking solutions. 

• Overall knowledge of the sports-entertainment and media landscape. 

• Specific success increasing revenue and generating brand energy. 

• Ability to work in a start-up environment with multiple stakeholders across the company, agency, and client organizations. 

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including stakeholder/relationship management and a  strong executive presence. 

• BA/BS required. MA/MBA preferred. 

• Experience in the sports and entertainment industries preferred.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of  activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties,  responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Additional Details  

• This role will  be located in the Houston, TX area.  

• The role is hybrid, works in a remote office and/or an office environment and will be expected to attend all games and events.

• Position may require periods of sitting at a desk, frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying material weighing up to 30+ pounds.

• Ability and willingness to work proactively at events sponsored by the UFL, partner organizations and other grassroot opportunities to promote the UFL team in the selected market and develop new business and fan relationships.

• Minimal out of market travel (<10% travel). Local travel to events and appointments is necessary 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The UFL maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment.  It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.