Virtual Event Planner Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

U.S. Soccer is seeking a Sr. Coordinator, Media Operations to help deliver best-in-class media operations across the Federation’s 27 National Teams and major events, with a primary focus on the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams.

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications, this role will be responsible for planning and executing media operations for National Team matches, camps, tournaments and other Federation events. The Sr. Coordinator will serve as a key operational contact for media and work closely with National Team press officers, Sporting, Event Operations, Broadcast, Security, Commercial and venue partners to ensure media needs are thoughtfully planned and seamlessly executed.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented and comfortable working in fast-paced, high-profile environments. This individual should understand the needs of working media, anticipate operational challenges and be able to independently manage multiple priorities and stakeholders while delivering a consistent, professional media experience.

The Sr. Coordinator will work cross-functionally with Communications, Sporting, Event Operations, Media, Security, Ticketing and venue partners to ensure media requirements are integrated into event planning and that U.S. Soccer delivers a consistent, professional media experience across its National Teams and events.

Full-time

• Plan, coordinate and execute media operations for U.S. Soccer National Team matches, camps, tournaments and Federation events, with primary focus on the Men’s and Women’s National Teams and support across all 27 National Teams as needed.
• Manage media accreditation from application through event-day execution, including reviewing requests, assigning appropriate access, credential production and distribution, and troubleshooting accreditation issues.
• Serve as a primary onsite point of contact for credentialed media, providing timely information, responding to questions and resolving operational issues.
• Coordinate media facilities and operational requirements, including press boxes, media workrooms, press conference areas, mixed zones, photographer work areas and field-level positions, media entrances, connectivity, catering and other event-specific needs; manage photographer access and credential/bib distribution as required.
• Manage media access and movement throughout venues, ensuring credentialed media are appropriately positioned, and event-specific access policies are followed.
• Partner with venues and internal stakeholders in advance of matches and events to assess media infrastructure, determine operational needs and develop event-specific media operations plans; conduct pre-event walkthroughs and readiness checks to ensure media facilities, signage, technology and services meet established standards.
• Partner closely with National and Youth Teams press officer to support player and coach media availability, live and virtual press conferences, training access and other team communications needs.
• Develop and distribute media advisories and operational communications with accreditation details, schedules, access information, parking, media availability and other event logistics. Schedule virtual press conferences, provide links and meeting invites to all pertinent parties, and assist in execution.
• Ensure U.S. Soccer Media Guidelines and event-specific access policies are consistently implemented, creating a professional working environment for journalists while protecting team needs and the rights of U.S. Soccer’s media partners.
• Research local media markets and maintain accurate media lists and databases to support National Team and Federation communications efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with media operations contacts at venues, FIFA Member Associations, confederations and other soccer organizations.
• Recruit, brief, train and manage event-day media volunteers, develop staffing plans and assignments, and establish clear roles, expectations and escalation procedures for each event.
• Manage media operations equipment and inventory to ensure appropriate resources are available for National Team matches and events.
• Manage media operations vendors, including sourcing services, negotiating agreements, tracking expenses and processing invoices within established budgets.
• Collaborate with Event Operations, Broadcast, Security, Ticketing, Commercial and other internal teams to ensure media requirements are incorporated into overall event planning.
• Help develop and implement consistent media operations standards, processes and best practices across U.S. Soccer’s National Teams.
• Support media operations planning and execution for major international tournaments and other high-profile events hosted or supported by U.S. Soccer.
• Anticipate operational challenges and independently troubleshoot issues in real time during matches and events.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in media operations, communications, public relations, sports communications, event operations or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting media operations at major live sporting events; experience in professional or international soccer strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of media operations, accreditation and credentialing processes, venue access and the needs of working journalists, photographers and broadcasters.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage event logistics and multiple stakeholders in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Strong project management skills, including experience managing timelines, staffing plans, vendors and multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Strong judgment and demonstrated ability to anticipate issues, solve problems and make decisions in live-event environments.
• Strong service orientation and demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to the needs of media and other event stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events, deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with media, athletes, coaches, executives, venue personnel and other high-profile stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with media accreditation, credentialing or event management platforms strongly preferred.
• Spanish-language proficiency strongly preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time and work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• General knowledge of soccer.
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect "micro" details to the "macro" vision and mission.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.