Director of Marketing, Sponsorships & Business Development

Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Charlotte Independence Soccer Club is seeking an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Director of Marketing, Partnerships & Business Development to lead three critical areas of the organization.

This is a leadership position for someone who can see an opportunity, develop a plan, and take ownership of executing it. We are looking for a self-starter who brings ideas to the table, understands how to develop a brand and generate revenue, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.  

The successful candidate will oversee marketing strategy and execution while also driving sponsorship sales & fulfillment and new partnership opportunities, maximizing the value of the Club's commercial assets, and developing fundraising and grant opportunities.

This is not simply a position responsible for managing existing activity. We are looking for someone who can help move the organization forward whilst managing and developing their own team.  

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Marketing, Brand & Communications

Lead the Club's overall marketing and communications strategy across its programs, locations, events, and membership base.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute an annual Club-wide marketing and communications plan.
• Oversee social media strategy, content planning, execution, and performance of staff.  
• Manage and coordinate the Club's digital media presence, website, email marketing, and member communications.
• Oversee graphic design, photography, video, and other creative resources.
• Develop marketing campaigns supporting Club programs in alignment with the program Directors.  
• Build storytelling around the Club's players, coaches, families, programs, community impact, and achievements.
• Establish consistent brand standards and messaging throughout the organization.
• Identify new and creative ways to increase awareness, engagement, participation, and revenue.
• Develop systems and calendars that ensure marketing activity is proactive rather than reactive.
• Measure results and use data to determine which marketing initiatives are producing meaningful outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local towns, municipalities, schools, and community organizations to strengthen the club’s community presence
• Collaborate with professional team and affiliate partners on marketing, promotional, and community initiatives.

2. Corporate Partnerships, Sponsorship & Asset Sales

Lead the management, fulfillment, growth, and development of the Club's corporate partnership portfolio.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage relationships with existing Club sponsors and corporate partners.
• Ensure all contractual sponsorship obligations and deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain a comprehensive sponsorship fulfillment and asset inventory system.
• Identify and package available Club assets for sale, including digital, social, facility, event, uniform, program, tournament, and community-based opportunities.
• Develop creative partnership concepts that provide measurable value to both the Club and its corporate partners.
• Create sponsorship proposals, presentations, activation plans, and renewal materials.
• Work with Club leadership to establish appropriate pricing and value for sponsorship inventory.
• Identify and pursue new corporate partnership opportunities.
• Track sponsorship revenue, renewals, pipeline, fulfillment, and outstanding opportunities.
• Continually evaluate the Club's programs and activities to identify new commercial inventory and revenue opportunities.

The expectation is not simply to fulfill existing sponsorship agreements, but to actively grow the value and revenue potential of the Club's assets.

3. Fundraising, Development & Grants

Develop and coordinate a more structured approach to fundraising and philanthropic support for the Club and its community initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop an annual fundraising and development strategy.
• Identify individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations with potential interest in supporting the Club's mission and community programs.
• Research grant opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
• Coordinate and/or write grant applications and supporting materials.
• Maintain a calendar of grant deadlines, submissions, reporting requirements, and renewals.
• Develop fundraising campaigns and special initiatives supporting scholarships, community programming, facilities, and other Club priorities.
• Help communicate the impact of the Club's community programs to potential donors and funding partners.
• Work closely with Club leadership and community partners to develop new fundraising opportunities.
• Establish systems for tracking fundraising prospects, applications, awards, and outcomes.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

The Director will oversee internal staff, contractors, and external resources associated with marketing and creative services. This position requires someone who can both lead and execute. The successful candidate should be comfortable establishing priorities, assigning responsibilities, holding people accountable, and personally stepping into projects when necessary.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Professional experience in marketing, sports marketing, corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales/fulfillment, fundraising, business development, or a related field.
• Sports industry experience is strongly preferred, particularly within youth sports, professional sports, soccer, events, or membership-based organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing marketing campaigns.
• Strong understanding of social media, digital marketing, content development, and brand management.
• Experience working with sponsors, corporate partners, or commercial accounts.
• Experience developing proposals, presentations, and sales materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Grant writing and/or nonprofit fundraising experience is highly desirable.
• Experience managing staff, contractors, creative professionals, or cross-functional projects.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills.
• A bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, sports management, or a related discipline is preferred; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be considered.