Director of Ticket Sales
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director, Ticket Sales
Organization: Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club
Location: Oakland, CA
Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer
Compensation: Base Salary + Performance Bonus
About Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Roots Sports Club is a professional soccer team which competes in the USL Championship (USL-C), the largest pro soccer league in the United States. Oakland Soul Sports Club is a pre-professional soccer team competing in the USL W League. Oakland Roots and Soul are the first, Purpose-driven sports club in the United States. Our Club Purpose is ‘to harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sports as a force for social good’. Our Club Mission is ‘to increase the health, equity and happiness of Oakland by building a sustainable pro sports club with winning teams to develop talent and a world class brand’.
Whether on the pitch, in the stands, or within the community, Oakland Roots and Soul represent our one-of-a-kind city with passion, pride and commitment to all things Oakland. Player by player. Supporter by supporter. Resident by resident. One day at a time. One game at a time. This is about Oakland first, always.
Position Summary
Oakland Roots Sports Club is seeking an accomplished sales executive to serve as Director, Ticket Sales and lead our ticket revenue generation department. This senior leadership position is accountable for all ticket sales revenue performance, organizational strategy, and the development of a high-performing sales organization. The Director, Ticket Sales owns the vision and execution for how the team sells season tickets, group sales, premium seating, and hospitality packages across Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul, while building and leading a team of Account Executives and Senior Account Executives who deliver exceptional results and fan experiences. If you're a proven sales leader with a track record of building winning teams, exceeding aggressive revenue targets, and operating at an executive level in professional sports, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- Executive Leadership & Strategic Vision
- Serve as a senior member of the business leadership team, driving organizational strategy, revenue planning, and cross-functional in initiatives that impact ticket revenue, fan experience, and organizational growth
- Own and be accountable for all ticket sales revenue performance including season tickets, group sales, premium seating, and hospitality packages
- Own the strategic vision and execution of comprehensive ticket sales strategies, defining how the team operates, sells, and engages with customers to drive year-over-year revenue growth
- Develop and present comprehensive sales performance reports and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, ownership, and Board of Directors
- Manage the ticket sales department P&L, including budget development, forecasting, and expense management
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation in sales processes, team effectiveness, and organizational performance
- Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing ticket sales team including multiple Account Executives and Senior Account Executives
- Recruit, hire, and onboard top sales talent that aligns with Oakland Roots' mission and culture
- Establish individual and team sales quotas, activity standards, and performance expectations aligned with organizational revenue goals
- Design and manage compensation structures, commission plans, and incentive programs that drive results and retain top performers
- Provide strategic coaching, mentoring, and professional development through regular team meetings, one-on-ones, and training sessions that foster accountability, share best practices, and drive revenue growth
- Conduct regular performance evaluations, manage performance improvement plans, and make personnel decisions including terminations when necessary
- Create clear career development pathways and succession planning within the sales organization
- Cultivate a sales culture built on excellence, integrity, innovation, and commitment to the Oakland community
- Revenue Generation & Execution
- Set ambitious revenue targets and ensure the team consistently meets or exceeds goals across all ticket products
- Manage key corporate partner relationships for group tickets and premium seating, personally handling high-value accounts and complex negotiations
- Ensure sales team has the resources, tools, training, and support needed to succeed in a competitive market
- Partner with executive leadership to execute pricing strategies and revenue optimization initiatives
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence
- Partner closely with the Ticketing and Business Intelligence Team to leverage data and analytics (sales pacing, customer insights, market trends) to inform sales strategies, tactical adjustments, new product development, CRM strategy, targeted marketing, and new sales opportunities
- Collaborate with Finance on revenue forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting
- Ensure alignment between ticket sales and game day operations to deliver seamless, exceptional fan experiences
- Represent the ticket sales department in executive meetings and organizational planning sessions
- Miscellaneous duties as assigned by leadership
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
- 7+ years of progressive experience in sales leadership with a collegiate and/or professional sports organization
- 3+ years of experience managing sales teams, with demonstrated success managing senior-level sales professionals or sales managers
- Proven track record of consistently exceeding aggressive revenue targets and building championship-caliber sales organizations
- Experience managing department P&L, budgets, and financial performance
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing strategic sales plans that drive significant revenue growth
- Strong executive presence with exceptional communication, presentation, and influencing skills across all organizational levels including ownership and Board
- Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain elite sales talent while building high-performance cultures
- Experience designing compensation structures, commission plans, and performance management systems
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and ability to translate market insights into actionable sales strategies
- Skilled at managing multiple priorities, complex negotiations, and high-stakes decision-making in dynamic environments
- Results-oriented leader who drives accountability while fostering collaboration and team success
- Deep understanding of the sports business landscape, fan behavior, and ticket sales best practices
- Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis, revenue forecasting, and performance metrics
- Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data visualization tools
- Advanced experience with CRM systems such as Salesforce
- Highest level of personal and professional integrity, ethics, and judgment
- Passionate commitment to Oakland Roots Sports Club's mission and community impact
- Flexible schedule with availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and match days as required
What We Offer
- Senior executive leadership position with a mission-driven sports organization making transformational impact in our community
- Highly competitive executive compensation package including base salary, performance-based incentives, and benefits
- Opportunity to build and lead a best-in-class ticket sales organization with significant autonomy and resources
- Seat at the executive leadership table with direct impact on organizational strategy and success
- Collaborative, innovative leadership team committed to excellence and community impact
- The opportunity to shape the growth of professional soccer in one of the most dynamic markets in the country
- Executive-level professional development and networking opportunities within the sports industry
Disclaimer
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. The duties listed do not represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Oakland Roots SC are an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Oakland Roots SC to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
