Vice President, Events [Hospitality, Hotels & Meetings] at MLS League Office

Overview The Vice President, Events is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and commercial optimization of MLS and SUM Hospitality and hotel & meeting strategy across the enterprise. This role leads hospitality program development, hotel and meetings oversight, and cross-functional resource management. The VP will build scalable frameworks, drive profitability, and ensure world-class execution across MLS properties (All-Star, MLS Cup, big moments) and SUM properties (FMF, Leagues Cup, etc.) as well as emerging initiatives. Responsibilities Hospitality Strategy • Lead MLS/SUM Hospitality Strategic Planning, defining the long-term vision, operating model, and scalable framework that supports League growth and premium experience evolution • Drive the development and implementation of new HSP initiatives, including Access+ strategy, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and enterprise priorities. • Oversee the MLS/SUM Hospitality calendar and invite strategy, establishing governance, consistency, and strategic audience targeting across tentpole events. Hotels & Meetings • Set the strategic direction for MLS/SUM Hotel & Meetings planning, establishing enterprise-wide standards, sourcing models, and reporting frameworks. • Provide executive oversight of MLS NEXT Hotel & Meetings strategy, ensuring alignment with broader League hospitality and operational goals. • Lead hotel sourcing strategy across the portfolio, optimizing commercial terms, scalability, and market positioning. MLS All-Star/MLS Cup • Lead HSP program strategy for MLS All-Star and MLS Cup, establishing the vision, structure, and execution model for world-class hospitality delivery. • Serve as primary strategic liaison to Host Clubs, overseeing communication, alignment, and contract negotiation. • Oversee Tier 1 seating strategy and full ticketing integration to ensure premium positioning and stakeholder alignment. • Direct hotel and meetings strategy, ensuring cohesive execution across League, Club, and partner stakeholders. • Develop executive-level briefings and materials to support senior leadership decision-making. • Provide oversight of agency partners and event staff to ensure operational excellence and accountability. • Own budget development and financial management, driving fiscal discipline and profitability. Leagues Cup • Lead HSP program strategy and framework development for Leagues Cup, aligning hospitality execution with cross-league priorities • Provide senior leadership oversight of Club relations, ensuring alignment, clarity, and execution excellence across markets. • Oversee hotel sourcing strategy and high-volume hospitality execution models. • Maintain financial oversight, ensuring disciplined budget management and scalable resource allocation. Other Event Leadership • Provide executive oversight and strategic support for SUM and MLS Tier 2/3 events. • Support the strategic planning and execution of MLS Partner Summit and FMF/Leagues Cup Partner Summit(s), ensuring alignment with commercial and stakeholder objectives. Department Leadership • Lead Event Intake, resource allocation, and financial review processes to ensure disciplined prioritization and enterprise transparency. • Establish and institutionalize Department SOPs and scalable operational frameworks that drive consistency and long-term sustainability • Oversee hospitality asset development and packaging strategies across consumer and commercial programs. • Drive Consumer HSP & Hotel strategy, identifying opportunities for revenue growth and enhanced premium positioning. • Build and lead a high-performing team, establishing long-term talent strategy, succession planning, and resource alignment. • Oversee enterprise-wide hotel reporting and analytics to inform strategic decision-making. • Provide comprehensive budget development and portfolio-level financial oversight. Qualifications • Bachelor’s Degree required • 12+ years of relevant experience in sports, hospitality, event production, or business strategy. • Proven experience leading large-scale tentpole events and hospitality programs. • Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and enterprise vendor negotiations. Required Skills • Executive leadership presence with ability to influence senior stakeholders. • Strong strategic thinking and structured execution framework. • Deep understanding of hospitality, ticketing, hotel sourcing, and premium experience strategy. • Strong financial acumen and budget oversight capabilities. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. • Attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality content. • High-level of commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance. • Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills. ...