Football Research Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position: Director, Team Partnerships

Reports to: Head of Business Operations (Team)

Location: Columbus, Dallas, DC, Louisville or Orlando

ABOUT THE UFL

The United Football League (UFL) is the premier professional spring football league, powered by the visionary leadership and investment of Mike Repole and Impact Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and ESPN. Built on innovation, accessibility, and competitive excellence, the UFL delivers a dynamic professional football experience for players, fans, and partners alike. The league currently features eight teams and is focused on building the next era of spring football, with expansion planned for 2028 and beyond.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Help build the future of football by creating game-changing partnerships that connect brands with passionate fans. The Director, Team Partnerships is a results-driven sales professional responsible for generating corporate partnership revenue through the development and sale of customized sponsorship programs. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, and closing new business with local and national brands while supporting the team’s revenue and fan engagement goals.

Working closely with the Head of Business Operations (Team) and league partnership leadership, the Director will build long-term partner relationships, collaborate across departments to deliver best-in-class sponsorship activations, and identify opportunities to elevate regional brands for league-wide partnerships. This role requires an entrepreneurial and challenger mindset, exceptional communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where creativity, collaboration, and accountability drive success.

This individual brings a proven track record in sports and/or entertainment partnership sales, combining strategic thinking with a consultative sales approach to create customized marketing solutions that deliver measurable value for partners and meaningful experiences for fans.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop and bring to market sponsorship proposals, build and manage potential partner pipelines and oversee end-to-end sales process for all partnerships.

• Create local partnership strategy and activation plans that commercialize team assets and platforms.

• Create compelling, insight-driven proposals that articulate clear value propositions for prospective partners.

• Leverage market intelligence and internal data to inform targeting, positioning, and partner outreach strategies.

• Assist in the development and management of team sponsorship inventory, including updating all inventory, and adding new inventory when applicable.

• Identify new ways of generating incremental revenue/minimizing expenses for the organization.

• Strategize and collaborate with sponsors, agencies, and internal stakeholders to create fully integrated UFL themed marketing programs, keeping partner goals and key League initiatives top of mind.

• Assist the client services team in management of multiple client relationships, including corporate sponsors, multiple agencies, and marketing teams.

• Maintain day-to-day relationships between partners, internal departments, and outside Service partner relationships 365 days a year, ensuring consistent, high-quality support beyond the season.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date pipeline and CRM data.

• Accountability and influence in renewals and revenue development.

• Assure UFL revenue goals are met on an annual basis.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

The qualifications listed below represent the credentials necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum of 7 years working within the sports industry or with sports brands, including experience in sponsorship sales and activation, negotiation, research, analytics and media.

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, business development, or a related sports/entertainment field will be considered.

• Ability to leverage insights and analytics to inform partnership strategies and solutions.

• A strong understanding of the local team market, including key business contacts and influencers to best leverage local partnerships

• Strong brand marketer with understanding of partner categories, business, and the sports/entertainment industry.

• Have a client service mentality to support the development of long-term partner relationships.

• Capacity for creative and innovative thinking.

• Excellent sales, presentation, and communication skills.

• Leader and self-starter with the ability to multi-task.

• Team player with strong cross-functional skills.

• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Location: Columbus, Dallas, DC, Louisville or Orlando

• Hybrid role; presence required at all games and key events.

• Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Local travel required; minimal out-of-market travel (<20% travel): UFL markets, games, and events as needed.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift 10 pounds at times.

• Other duties as assigned by Head of Business Operations (Team)

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $160,000. This range reflects the expected compensation based on qualifications, experience, and location. This role is eligible for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life insurance, a 401(k) plan, unlimited PTO and offers a discretionary bonus. The actual base salary offered will remain subject to final determination of the UFL and will be based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, location or other reasonable criteria consistent with UFL’s operational business needs and applicable law.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The UFL maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.