VP, Partnership Sales

The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U. S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U. S. Overview:Chicago Fire FC is seeking a Vice President, Partnership Sales to lead corporate revenue growth and elevate the Club’s commercial impact in the Chicago market and beyond. Responsibilities:Revenue Leadership & New BusinessServe as a senior, frontline seller responsible for sourcing, structuring, and closing high-value, multi-year corporate partnerships, including marquee and entitlement assets. Personally lead and support pitches to C-suite decision-makers, agencies, and brand leaders. Identify and pursue emerging sponsorship categories, with an emphasis on forward-thinking brands and innovative partnership models. Build and execute a strategic plan to engage Chicago’s corporate and agency communities, expanding the Club’s presence and relevance in the market. Negotiate complex partnership agreements to meet and exceed annual revenue targets. Sales Strategy & Commercial DevelopmentPartner with the SVP of Corporate Partnerships to shape and execute the department’s commercial strategy. Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Foundation, Communications, and Soccer Business to develop compelling, integrated partnership platforms. Translate data, insights, and industry trends into persuasive sales narratives, proposals, and presentations. Maintain a strong understanding of market dynamics, competitive offerings, and evolving sponsorship trends to effectively position Club assets. Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop the Partnership Sales team, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability, and a culture of excellence. Provide ongoing mentorship and feedback, identifying skill gaps and supporting individual growth plans. Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of sales staff, ensuring the team is equipped with the tools, training, and support needed to succeed. Foster a collaborative, results-driven environment that balances ambition with professionalism. Organizational LeadershipDevelop and present strategic revenue plans, forecasts, and performance updates to senior leadership. Coordinate sponsor-related projects as assigned and ensure seamless execution across departments. Act as a trusted leader within the organization, modeling integrity, ownership, and a commitment to the Club’s values. Qualifications:Minimum of 8 years of experience in sports sponsorship sales or partnership development. Proven track record of closing complex, multi-year, seven-figure partnerships. Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and motivate sales professionals in a high-performance environment. Strong market presence with experience building and maintaining senior-level relationships with brands and agencies. Exceptional presentation, communication, and negotiation skills. Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and experience managing diversified revenue streams. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while juggling multiple priorities. Willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and all home matches. Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree. Experience recruiting, managing, and developing sales teams. Deep familiarity with the Chicago corporate and agency market. Experience interpreting data and insights for storytelling and sales presentations. Prior experience presenting revenue strategies to senior leadership or ownership. qualifications. benefits & perks: Official Chicago Fire FC Website Please note:Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club. CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. benefits and training. application process, please contact the People & Culture Department at [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. MLS Privacy Policy: By clicking apply, you agree to the terms of the MLS Privacy Policy.