Manager, Strategy & Operations

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 clubs and 350+ of the best soccer players globally. In its 12th season, the league is on an exhilarating trajectory, expanding its reach and redefining the landscape of women's sports. With rapid expansion into new markets, the league is capturing the hearts and minds of fans nationwide, fueling record-breaking attendance figures and shattering viewership numbers. Even so, in a time when women's soccer is growing around the globe, the NWSL finds itself with competition for the title of "Best League in the World." As a result, the NWSL's Office of League Transformation is seeking a Manager of Strategy & Operations to drive intentional strategic thinking across the front office.

Position Description 

The NWSL Manager of Strategy & Operations is responsible for driving cross-functional initiatives that are critical to the long-term success of the National Women's Soccer League. The Manager of S&O will work closely with the Sr. Director of Strategy and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team to shape and execute the League's strategic vision, optimize operational processes, and drive high growth across the ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Planning

• Maintain and appropriately iterate the NWSL's long-term strategic plan, working closely with Finance to build a cadence to connect strategic planning with annual operational planning.
• Conduct data-driven analysis and research to uncover actionable insights to guide the direction of the NWSL.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align strategic initiatives with business goals.

Project Management

• Lead cross-functional projects from inception to completion that support NWSL long-term goals by designing workback plans, managing key stakeholders, and developing ownership models, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Identify and mitigate project risks to keep delivery on track.

Operational Management

• Monitor, analyze, and document League objectives and key results (OKRs) to guide internal work streams and ensure appropriate resources are being allocated to achieve our goals. 
• Maintain connectivity across the internal organization and identify best working practices within the front office to drive organizational efficiencies.
• Support the Commissioner and other Senior Leaders in preparing for Board of Governors communications and meetings.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree required
• 2+ years of professional experience, preferably at a strategy consulting firm or investment bank
• Excellent quantitative, financial, research, modeling, and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional project management skills and ability to prioritize workflow
• Ability to quickly identify key takeaways from conversations with multiple stakeholders
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments with a start-up mindset
• Ability to deliver high-quality work and execute under pressure and deadlines
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills combined with a professional demeanor
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Able and willing to travel as needed

Desired Qualifications

• Has a strong professional and positive presence that well represents the league both internally and externally
• Passion for the sport of soccer
• Strong bias for action
• A strong understanding for the broader soccer culture and the more nuanced women's soccer culture in the United States
• Experience in the Sports, Entertainment, Media, and Technology sectors

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.