Download Company: Soccer United Marketing Title: Director of Research

 Company: Soccer United Marketing
Title: Director of Research
Vice President, Strategic Planning & Research
Reports to: Process: BACKGROUND: Apply at www.turnkeyse.com
Major League Soccer (MLS) was founded in 1993 as part of the 1994 US FIFA World Cup bid, and is one of the premier soccer leagues in the world. Major League Soccer played its first games in 1996, and has been led by former NFL executive Commissioner Don Garber since 1998, who is widely credited with the growth and establishment of the league on the international stage. Over the years, the league has been the home of some of the greatest American and international soccer players in the world, including Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry. Founded in 2002, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the preeminent soccer company in North America. SUM holds the exclusive rights to the most important soccer properties in the region, including all commercial rights to Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation; promotional and marketing rights to all Mexican National Team games played in the United States; the marketing and promotion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup™, the region's premier soccer tournament for national teams, and CONCACAF Champions League™; and the marketing and promotional rights to the prestigious Club competition, World Football Challenge™. Additionally, SUM manages promotional and marketing rights in the United States for two world‐renown sports teams: Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) of Mexico and FC Barcelona of Spain. These global properties are represented by SUM's slogan: One Sport. One Company. Turnkey Search has been retained by SUM to search, screen and recruit talented research and insights executives for the role of Director of Research. Interested candidates should apply through Turnkey Search directly. Contacting SUM will only delay your consideration. Soccer United Marketing Director of Research Position Description SUMMARY: The Director of Market Research will be responsible for providing direction and leadership in the establishment and implementation of research and fan insights initiative in support of the business of the League. In this position one must analyze and present comprehensive and timely analysis of industry data in support of the marketing, sales, club services and fan development departments. The Director of Market Research will serve as the “voice of the fan” and is responsible for evaluating corporate research needs, identifying and prioritizing projects and developing and executing primary research requirements for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. Finally, the proper candidate must oversee all areas of the research department including primary research, (internal & external) secondary research and syndicated research. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Lead insight gathering for marketing and fan development, Soccer United Marketing sponsorship efforts, and MLS Club Services department, as well as any other research‐
driven league initiative. • Provide ratings research, and data and analytics across various projects and departments. • Establish comprehensive survey sampling methodologies, sample selection, survey design and basic statistical analyses. • Develop and build relationships with internal League departments to identify and support any and all business initiatives through thorough planning and insights support. • Provide research expertise to department heads and business partners to assist in the development of appropriate research and data analysis to help best achieve their information objectives. • Develop and implement reporting infrastructure/deliverables to present research results and other insights in ways that are immediately actionable, compelling and able to relayed through the organization. • Manage vendor relationships. • Lead all research initiatives ensuring all timelines and deadlines are clearly communicated and realized. QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION REQUIRED: • 7 to 10+ years of experience in conducting quantitative research, data collection, analysis and presentation of complex research within media, sports and entertainment industry. • Proven proficiency with sampling, survey design and survey data analysis. • Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred. • Proven expertise with brand tracking, social media, panel development and management and syndicated research. • Proficiency with TV ratings data and analysis (Nielsen). • Knowledge of the sport of soccer. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Word/PowerPoint/Excel. • Fluency in Spanish language a plus. • Extraordinary interpersonal and strong communication (both verbal and written) skills.