Senior Director, Corporate Development

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

The Corporate Development team leads U.S. Soccer’s inorganic growth initiatives, advancing strategic priorities and creating long-term value for the Federation. Our work includes mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments / partnerships, integration planning and real estate development. We partner with teams across U.S. Soccer, including Finance, Strategy, and Legal to deliver on our projects.

The Senior Director, Corporate Development will lead due diligence, deal negotiations, structuring, and manage internal and Board approvals for potential mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures, with a particular focus on US Soccer’s player pathway and regional/local model strategy. This leader will own a portfolio of transactions end to end, collaborating with cross functional teams at US Soccer and external stakeholders including State Associations and other regional and local soccer organizations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the transaction strategy and pipeline for regional/local model strategy, aligned with the U.S. Soccer’s strategic priorities.
• Lead deal structuring and negotiation of key terms across multiple concurrent transactions, working closely with Legal and outside counsel through definitive documentation and close.
• Direct financial, commercial, people, operational, and legal due diligence, coordinating internal workstreams and external advisors.
• Oversee financial models and analyses, including transaction economics, funding, pro formas, and scenario analyses.
• Build repeatable templates, playbooks, and trackers that standardize the process across similar transactions.
• Identify, quantify, and mitigate transaction risks.
• Hand off diligence findings and commitments to the integration team to support integration planning.
• Direct and mentor deal team members within the Corporate Development team.
• Lead special projects with Federation-wide impact as needed.
• Prepare strategic discussion materials for Executive Leadership and the Board decision making.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, strategy consulting, or finance/corporate finance, including significant experience leading transactions from origination through close.
• Demonstrated success negotiating and structuring M&A, joint venture, or strategic partnership transactions.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage multiple complex workstreams and external advisors at once.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the judgment to navigate sensitive negotiations and stakeholder relationships.
• General knowledge of soccer.
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Able and willing to travel up to 30% of the year.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA, CFA, or other advanced degree.
• Experience in sports, nonprofit, membership, or federated organizations, or with multi-site roll-up transactions.
• Familiarity with the U.S. youth and amateur soccer landscape.
• Experience negotiating with member-led or volunteer-governed boards.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.