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 globally. In its 11th season, the league continues to grow exponentially. The NWSL is shattering all-time fan attendance records, as the #1 highest momentum sports league, with the first half of the 2023 season average game attendance up by 48%, viewership up by 21% (regular season total viewers), while our social presence soars to a 233% increase on video views across major platforms.

Positions Description:

The NWSL Consumer Products team is responsible for the licensing business, e-commerce and retailer relationships, managing and executing on-field product needs for NWSL Clubs as well as digital gaming.

The NWSL Consumer Products team needs a Director of Retail Development as a key member in the growth of the consumer products business and women's soccer across retail nationally and globally. The primary responsibilities for this role will be to oversee partnerships with retailers currently carrying NWSL licensed product while continuing to expand NWSL distribution and network by collaborating with licensees to bring in new retailers. As the retail experience is a critical touch point for fan engagement and brand positioning, this role is essential in advancing both NWSL and club brands and will need to closely collaborate and communicate with both internal stakeholders as well as key club stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities:

Cultivate Retail and Club relationships - Develop relationships with key buyers and stakeholders across key national accounts and club retail.
Manage Club relationships and communication for consumer products and retail including league/national strategy, marketing initiatives, calendar, reporting, etc. Act as a key resource for clubs in growing their retail, facilitating licensee relationships and product development.
Annual Planning - Forecast and hit annual monetary, marketing and fan engagement metrics and objectives.
Lead the development and implementation of processes and strategies that support Clubs' local efforts.
Identify retailer strategies/initiatives and new opportunities for NWSL. Develop and execute placement and promotional strategies across all tiers of distribution.
Oversee all owned/DTC retail operations including e-commerce and event/stadium retail. Manage strategic relationship with retail partner.
Collaborate with Nike and other key licensees on go-to-market strategy for product launches.
Develop product and retail initiatives tied to league tentpole events and moments.
Develop assets and content to support retail and product marketing. Create style guides, packaging, etc. in partnership with creative to ensure product and retail represent the league and club brands.
Optimize product mix to offer the best products for fans while increasing profitability.
Lead internal team and licensees in understanding of retail buying calendars, decision-making timeframes and decision influencers.

Minimum Qualifications:

8+ years of experience in licensing, product manufacturing or retail. A background in, and passion for, soccer, sports and/or entertainment is a plus.
Able and willing to travel up to 30% of the time for licensee and retailer meetings, key matches, etc.
Strong relationship management skills
Strong understanding of the retail and distribution landscape for both digital and physical retail channels.
Strong analytic skills and experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and research.

Desired Qualifications:

Creative strategist with an ability to track and leverage marketplace trends.
Ability to manage multiple projects through multi-tasking and prioritizing efficiently.
Ability to work both independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
Excellent communications skills and a positive attitude are a must.
Multi-lingual a plus

What we offer:

An incredible inclusive culture that is committed to diversity.
Medical, Dental, Vision and Mental health benefits for employees and dependents.
Short and Long-term disability and life insurance paid by the company.
Unlimited paid time off, sick days and end of the year office closure.
401k with employer match, safe harbor contributions from the company in addition to the employer match.
FSA for both employees and dependents plus Telemedicine.
Commuter benefits.
Voluntary pet insurance.
Hybrid work schedule.

Salary: 100-160K Base plus bonus (based on performance)

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.

NWSL League Office