Director, Partnership Marketing

LA 2028 is a non-profit public benefit corporation. The specific purpose of the organization is to improve and enhance the quality of life of the residents of the City of Los Angeles, California, and the surrounding metropolitan area through the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Its core activities include: (1) planning, organization, financing, promotion, sponsorship, hosting and staging the Games, (2) raising funds to be used to plan, organize, finance, promote, sponsor, host or stage the Games, and (3) creating and implementing sustainability and legacy programs for the Games.

United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP) is a commercial joint venture between the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 (LA 2028) and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The USOPP is the sole entity charged with marketing and selling combined commercial assets, including; rights to the 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028 U.S Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Values and Behaviors

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact 
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy 
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs 
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are 
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings 
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo 

Director, Partnership Marketing 

Job Description

On behalf of the LA28, USOPC (U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) and USOPP (U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties), the Partnership Marketing (PM) team acts as the steward of all contractual rights and benefits afforded to our Commercial Partners. PM is one of several units forming the USOPP’s Commercial Team. 

Built from a base of global marketing acumen and fueled by an innovative approach to business analytics, the PM team aims to become the preeminent property partnership group in global sport. It is a collective of internationally experienced, deeply passionate marketers dedicated to maintaining a keen focus across all sponsorship elements of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the U.S. Designed from a management consulting model, PM strives to unlock exceptional value across our internal enterprise, as well as for each sponsor they serve. 

The Director, who will report directly to the VP of Partnership Marketing, is responsible for the executive-level oversight of Partner relationships (within their respective portfolio) on behalf of LA28, USOPP and Team USA. They will guide the strategic development and execution of their Partners’ marketing activations, with an emphasis on helping these clients achieve maximum return on their sponsorship investment with us. 

The Director will foster the main relationship with the highest-ranking marketer who is chiefly responsible for each Partner’s Olympic/Paralympic marketing initiatives.  On a daily basis, this leader will make key decisions/directives regarding all aspects of our routine engagements with the Partners. 

With a deep understanding of both B2C and B2B marketing, the Director will ensure that USOPP has the proper relationships needed to further drive the commercial strategy, bolster the brands of LA28 and Team USA, and help secure optimal results for their respective Partners. A successful candidate will accomplish this through a focus on marketing innovation, proactive client management, internal/external relationship building and strategy-based advisement. 

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall relationship of multiple brands/clients including client, agency, and marketing teams 
• Oversee all LA28 & Team USA contractual deliverables and activation for clients/brands within their respective portfolio 
• Possess deep knowledge of each client’s macro business, including their specific brand and sponsorship goals, as well as understanding and curiosity about global business trends and innovations 
• Design and execute cross-departmental strategic plans in support of Partners 
• Craft and administer innovative tools and resources to identify, track, analyze and communicate various KPIs related to the assigned portfolio of Partners 
• Serve as a key ally to the Partners’ “working teams” – including their roster of agencies that support their Olympic and Paralympic efforts 
• Act as a key liaison to executives/staff at the USOPC and throughout the NGB (National Governing Body) landscape to foster fluid and successful collaboration between all parties 
• Play a key role in helping the leadership of the USOPP Commercial Team secure the addition of new Partners along the journey to the LA28 Games 
• Lead LA28/USOPP teams onsite at various events, functions and meetings, including all Olympic and Paralympic Games through 2028 
• Train and manage the development of department’s Managers, Associates, and Rights Approvals team members 

Qualifications

Background and Requirements 

• Minimum of 10+ years of direct experience in sports business or related marketing environment managing and leading people and initiatives 
• 7+ years of direct experience growing and managing a team 
• Hands on experience developing and leading relationships with strategic partners 
• Strong business operations, financial management and program execution skills required. P&L experience is a plus. 
• Strong cross-functional skills, excellent analytical/conceptual abilities 
• Experience effectively interacting internally with senior marketing management and externally with the senior executives of partners 
• Experience working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment preferred 
• Excellent presentation skills and the ability to influence and work successfully with varied audiences (colleagues, C-suite, business partners, agency executives, international sport organizations, etc.) 
• Diplomacy and negotiation experience  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

•  Ability to work on-site in an office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA  
• The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment Willingness to travel and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, specifically in 2028 at Games Time.

Expectations

• Self-directed/self-starter with ability to manage time and prioritize activities 
• The ability to deftly balance a strategic mindset with tactical demands is a must; clear ability to think, organize and passionately lead project teams 
• Capacity for creativity/innovation  
• A team player who proactively communicates with other business partners and stakeholders within other organizations to drive results 
• Fun! We encourage our team to take work very seriously but themselves not so much! 

Education / Training / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent related work experience, Masters in Sports Management and/or MBA preferred 

The annual base salary range for this position is $126,000.00-$180,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

USOPP is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.