Specialist, Talent Strategy

Company Description

At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that is representative of our community and where all employees feel they belong and can reach their full potential. We are Canada’s preeminent leader in delivering top quality sport and entertainment experiences and one of North America’s leading providers of exceptional fan experiences. We are the parent company of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League), Raptors 905 (NBA G League), Toronto FC II (MLS NEXT Pro League) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League.

MLSE owns and/or operates all the venues our teams play and train in, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. We also provide fans in Toronto with incredible live music and entertainment events, as well as exceptional culinary experiences through our restaurants (e11even and RS) and clubs (Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub and Platinum Club). Through MLSE Foundation, we have invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities since 2009 and with MLSE LaunchPad, we provide a place where youth facing barriers use sport to recognize and reach their potential.

We achieve all of this through our Common Purpose - to unite and empower our employees to create extraordinary moments for our fans and each other. Come be a part of the team.

**Job Description**:
As a valuable member of the Marketing team, you will act as primary contact for Toronto Raptors & Toronto FC talent strategy. You will collaborate with internal departments to integrate talent related initiatives into programs, appearances, sponsorships, etc. and further MLSE business objectives.

**Responsibilities**
- Trusted Talent contact for all Raptors and Toronto FC MLSE related business and personal engagement inquiries & requests.
- Maintain strong personal relationships with Talent roster allowing for enhanced engagement and new, accelerated opportunities.
- Hold connection meetings with Talent throughout the year to identify, implement and report on player interests, values and strengths.
- Leverage information to develop mutually beneficial, authentic and meaningful experiences for players and MLSE stakeholders that further business objectives.
- Collect and filter all requests, obtain approvals (Talent and Executive) and ensure feedback is effectively and accurately communicated to all impacted.
- Liaise between MLSE Business & Team Ops as it relates to corporate Talent requests.
- Collaborate with Global Partnerships and team partners directly to strategize and ideate new commercial endorsement opportunities for Talent.
- Support Talent for pre-event requirements, production day execution, signings, social posts & financial invoicing.
- Facilitate Talent appearances at all Raptors and Toronto FC home games to enhance the game-day experience for fans and internal and external stakeholders.
- Maintain full scope of Talent’s NIL agreements for both MLSE and non-MLSE partners to avoid conflicts and protect category exclusivity categories.
- Ongoing management of Team appearance calendars with requests from all business units, including Talent personal calendar.
- Guide and approve use of Talent’s intellectual property to ensure consistency and maintain alignment from Talent/representatives.
- Collaborate with MLSE departments to highlight Talent engagement, ensure accurate reporting and provide storytelling opportunities.
- Prepare monthly reports to measure commercial and community impact. Reports provided to Team Ops, Talent agencies and NBA/MLS.
- Manage and update PATS & MLS Connect for NBA/MLS annual reporting.
- Assist colleagues with hockey and football departmental initiatives as required.

**Qualifications**:
- 2+ years’ experience working in a professional capacity.
- Strong understanding of basketball/soccer and the National Basketball Association/Major League Soccer along with respective CBA’s.
- Demonstrated experience managing or working with professional athletes or VIPs.
- Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines.
- Able to exercise diplomacy and tact at all times.
- Proficient in MS Office and XP; quick to learn new software programs.
- Must be able to work home game days. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as required.
- Work in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

Additional Information
- We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an in