Director, Hotels

Overview

The Events & Hospitality Department oversees the strategic development, planning and execution of hundreds of events for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing each year, including marquee events like MLS All-Star Week, MLS Cup, MLS NEXT tournament events, Leagues Cup, the Mexican National Team U.S. Tour, Concacaf tournaments, MLS Rivalry Week, Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup, and dozens of other SUM/international property events. Annually, the Events Team also manages cross-departmental initiatives including hospitality/B2B programming, press announcements, department/executive meetings, competition events and other strategic projects for the Enterprise.

Position Summary

The Director, Hotels & Meetings will lead the planning and successful execution of dozens MLS/SUM meetings and event hotel contracts for the Enterprise, including the RFP and contracting process for more than 100 programs annually. Marquee events include MLS All-Star, MLS Cup, and MLS NEXT tournaments, each of which accommodate thousands of hotel room nights and several host properties. In addition to sourcing/contracting, the Director, Hospitality will lead the overall hotels & meetings strategy and planning process for the Enterprise, managing and leading relevant operations logistics with all partners within the Enterprise. Additionally, this person will oversee one team member and will develop, coach, and guide this direct report.

This position will further develop the strategy for Enterprise Sourcing, leveraging Hotel Brand Representatives and CVB relationships, total spend, and market analysis to secure concessions that are consistent across the department. This position will also support the commercial partnership in the hotel category, using post-event analysis from programs to further improve the meeting experience, recommending ways to effectively manage expenses and/or find budget efficiencies and improve attendee experience at all events.

Responsibilities

- End-to-end hotel & meeting leadership, management and execution including hotel sourcing, property relationship management, room block management, onsite oversight, event operations and meeting management for more than 100 programs annually.
- Overall delegation/guest/player and executive team hotel/meeting management for events, including advance communication and onsite management.
- Provide leadership and management for internal MLS/SUM departments throughout the year to develop and deliver their hotel and meeting event strategies.
- Development, distribution & evaluation of event briefs and RFP materials for hotel & meeting needs.
- Negotiate hotel & venue agreements while maximizing relationships, concessions, and cost savings; working closely with Legal to ensure all formal contract management.
- Lead hotel/market site visits for all assigned programming and provide recommendations for hotel sourcing.
- Develop and manage hotel/meeting budgets and associated expenses/payments for assigned events.
- Oversee the management of the overall reservations process for all contracted events.
- Develop and communicate hotel/meeting plans for all assigned programming with both internal and external departments and affiliates; providing executive-ready presentations for leadership review.
- Provide internal and external event planning communication, including event overviews, clearly defined roles and responsibilities and post-event recapping for all assigned events.
- Support overall guest communication & invitation process by providing appropriate hotel/meeting information for guests for each event.
- Partner with Creative Services to develop and produce event branding and creative, compliant to property standards, as designated by events/property toolkits/brand guidelines.
- Collaborate with Partnership Marketing and Consumer Products team to integrate partnerships into hotel sourcing, and deliver sponsorship requirements/fulfillment for events.
- Leverage all internal departments and resources to maximize event deliverables/execution.
- Provide support for overall guest, player and staff experience while on site at assigned events.
- Collaborate with commercial team on Hotel Brand Marketing and Partnership opportunities.
- Conduct year-over-year data analysis across hotel contracts, usage and business back/spend.
- Provide leadership for agencies, contractors, full-time staff and interns both ongoing and per event.
- Participate in hiring and onboarding process including interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees and vendors/contractors, including the direct supervision of full-time employees.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

- Bachelor's Degree.
- 8+ years of relevant hotel sourcing/contracting & meeting operations experience.

Required Skills

- Vast knowledge of the hotel industry in North America, including insight about specific properties in major markets, and an understanding of how hotels operate.
- Strong contract negotiation, influencing and event management skills.
- Experience building a team and managing staff.
- Ability to travel and to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Experience developing and managing event budgets and finances; fiscally responsible with success overseeing large budgets (excess of $2M per program).
- Knowledge of Cvent, Passkey and additional hospitality planning tools used widely in the industry.
- Experience working with hotel brand GSOs.
- Strong executive presence, experience working directly with C-Level Executives.
- Analytical thinker, self-motivated, organized, flexible and a proven problem solver and decision-maker.
- Detail-oriented with the ability and experience to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision, in a fast-paced, team environment and within various different internal workstreams.
- High level of commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance.
- Vast knowledge of, and experience in event management and production needs; able to both negotiate and manage vendors/partners including transportation, signage, catering, operations, etc.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally.
- Some physical labor related to the set-up and breakdown of events.
- Strong proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Desired Skills

- Business proficiency in the Spanish Language.
- Knowledge of the sport of soccer.

Total Rewards

Major League Soccer offers a competitive starting base salary of $115,000 - $150,000, based on individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs. We are committed to providing a Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent. Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a $500 wellness reimbursement, and generous Holiday and PTO schedule to promote work-life balance. We also prioritize career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities.

We believe in the power of in-person collaboration to fuel creativity, strengthen connections, and cultivate a vibrant workplace. As a result, employees are required to work from an MLS office at least four days a week. We understand the value of balance, so employees also have the flexibility of working remotely on Fridays, along with the option to take up to two additional remote flex days each month.

At Major League Soccer, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and believe that a diverse workforce enhances our ability to compete in the marketplace. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation throughout the job application or interview process, essential job functions, and other benefits and privileges of employment. If you require accommodation, please contact us to request it.

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