FC Cincinnati

Background: 

FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team playing at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally founded in 2015 by Carl H. Lindner III and co-CEO Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati started play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2016. FCC entered MLS as the 24th team in 2019. The club’s wide and diverse ownership group is led by controlling owner Lindner III; as well as managing owners Meg Whitman and Dr. Griff Harsh; Scott Farmer; and George Joseph. 

Prior to joining the MLS as an expansion team in 2019, the club won the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship in record-setting fashion and earned postseason berths in all three of its USL seasons. In 2017, FC Cincinnati also advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a run that included victories over two MLS squads. 

FC Cincinnati opened the clubs privately funded, 26,000-seat soccer-specific TQL Stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati in 2021, a venue which has won numerous global awards including the World Football Summit Best Venue 2022 in Madrid and the 2022 Prix Versailles World Title in the Sports Category in Paris, France. 

In 2023, FC Cincinnati won the Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year. The 2023 season also saw Luciano Acosta earn the league's MVP award, the highest individual honor in the MLS, and became the first player to win the award in FCC history. FC Cincinnati then went on to qualify for the MLS Playoffs in 2024 and 2025, marking four consecutive playoff appearances for the club.  

Any interested candidates should contact ZRG directly.
Contacting FC Cincinnati will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Position Summary: 

The SVP of Corporate Partnerships for FC Cincinnati is a dynamic, visionary, and results-driven individual that is leading all aspects of the club’s and club’s foundation partnership revenue generation, activation, and partnership marketing. Reporting directly to the Chief Revenue Officer, this executive is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive partnership strategy that drives new sponsorship sales, renews and grows existing partnerships, and delivers best-in-class activation and marketing programs. The SVP is a key member of the senior leadership team, charged with building a high-performance culture, leveraging technology for efficiency, and positioning FC Cincinnati among the top five clubs in sponsorship revenue.

Essential Functions:

Revenue Generation & Sales Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end partnership sales process: prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and closing multi-year, high-value sponsorship agreements.
• Set and achieve ambitious annual partnership revenue targets, with a focus on both new business and renewals.
• Personally engage in closing complex, seven-figure deals while coaching and developing the sales team to achieve similar results.
• Develop innovative, integrated partnership packages that maximize FC Cincinnati’s assets across digital, in-venue, community, and media platforms.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners, leveraging industry relationships and market insights.

Partnership Activation & Marketing

• Oversee flawless execution of all partnership obligations, ensuring measurable ROI and exceptional client satisfaction.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, fan experience, communications, operations, and community relations to deliver integrated activation programs.
• Use data and analytics to monitor partnership performance, optimize activation strategies, and provide actionable insights to partners and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement creative marketing initiatives that enhance partner value and elevate the FC Cincinnati brand.

Team Leadership & Departmental Excellence

• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing partnerships team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Motivate and inspire team members to achieve individual and collective goals, providing regular coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Continuously evaluate departmental structure and personnel, making data-driven decisions to retain top performers and move on from underperformers.
• Champion a culture of ‘attitude, effort, and results’, modeling professionalism, integrity, and a growth mindset.

Technology & Operational Efficiency

• Leverage Salesforce CRM, analytics, and AI-driven tools to streamline sales processes, track KPIs, and enhance organizational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain an exceptional management dashboard that provides real-time partnership insights for the CRO, CFO, and CEO.
• Ensure all sales and activation activities are accurately tracked and reported, enabling data-driven decision-making and transparency.

Strategic Leadership & Executive Collaboration

• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on partnership strategy, revenue forecasting, and market trends.
• Represent FC Cincinnati at league meetings, industry events, and in the broader business community as a visible and values-driven ambassador.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, and other departments to ensure partnership agreements are financially sound and aligned with organizational objectives.

Core Competencies

• Results-Oriented: Relentlessly pursues revenue growth and organizational goals.
• Motivational Leadership: Inspires and develops talent, fostering a winning culture.
• Strategic Vision: Sees the big picture and executes with precision.
• Technological Fluency: Uses technology to drive efficiency and insight.
• Accountability: Holds self and others to the highest standards.
• Collaboration: Works cross-functionally to achieve shared success.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in partnership sales, activation, and marketing preferred within professional sports or entertainment, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of sourcing, negotiating, and closing high-value, multi-year sponsorship deals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and manage high-performing teams, with a focus on accountability and results.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Technologically savvy, with experience implementing CRM, analytics, and reporting tools.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and a relentless drive for excellence.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and match days as required

ZRG’S Commitment:

At ZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support it. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. ZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.