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.

MLSE and the City of Toronto have come together to host the largest sporting event in the history of the city. The FIFA 2026 World Cup is coming to the world’s most diverse City, and you will play a role in contributing to the legacy it will create!

As the Commercial Partnership Lead, your responsibilities include securing strategic partnerships with companies who will represent Toronto through the best-in-class designation as a 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Partner. This position will connect brands to an exclusive opportunity to help shape the legacy of Toronto’s World Cup story. This role is a long-term contract, with the distinction of being the inaugural member of the Host City Commercial team that will be built to pave the way to World Cup 2026.

As a senior leader connected to the MLSE Global Partnerships team, you will be accountable for achieving revenue targets through the selling of corporate partnerships focused on intellectual property, hospitality & experiences. More specifically, you will lead all aspects of the day-to-day partnership development functions related to FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto. This includes prospecting, pitching, and negotiating complex partnerships that deliver significant revenue for the Host City.

With proven experience in delivering successful partnerships, you will bring to the role:

• Strong ties to senior leadership and marketing executives across multiple industries in Toronto and across Canada.
• Exceptional partner engagement experience, with an ability to set and communicate a vision to prospective partners, and the ability to implement partnership strategies that consistently meet or exceed planned objectives.
• Solid commercial acumen and results-driven approach that can influence and build strong business partnerships, using such skills when working with senior executives and marketing leadership.
• Strong relationship building expertise to nurture and leverage senior client relations at a local, regional and global level.
• The ability to work and excel as an individual contributor and leader.
• Relevant experience in sports & entertainment, sponsorship, media sales, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated strong understanding of partner objectives and business landscape to build effective value propositions.
• Proactive approach to build and present innovative, integrated promotional concepts that increase partner activation and deliver against partner objectives.
• Proven track record of contractual obligations being satisfied.
• The ability to effectively collaborate with partner Host City departments in support of the Toronto World Cup 2026.

Skills to Succeed

Drive for Results: Generate new partnership opportunities for MLSE and the City of Toronto through strategic influence and strong negotiation skills. Be the end-to-end lead in contract negotiations with partners at the executive and C-Suite level, ensuring positive outcomes for all parties.

Accountability: Responsible for developing and promoting the partnership strategy for World Cup Host City Toronto 2026. Your success will be judged through your ability to drive revenue and securing multiple tier-one World Cup Host City category partners.

Inclusive Leadership: Demonstrate an ability to influence, develop, and empower employees to take a team approach in pursuit of achieving their absolute best. Lead the Commercial team with integrity while embodying and promoting the culture and values of MLSE and City of Toronto. Bring an inclusive approach to their work, interacting effectively and respectfully with individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences thereby ensuring an inclusive climate where every member of the MLSE community feels validated, seen, accepted, and integrated.

Collaborator: Cultivate strong working relationships across MLSE and City of Toronto that deliver successful partnership and initiatives.

Strategist: Build and implement strategic value propositions that create scalable commercial opportunities

Communicator: Display outstanding communication and social skills and a dedication to visibility and engagement. A commitment to encouraging open channels of communication and consistent dialogue with members of the team.

Civic Duty: Embrace the distinction of representing MLSE and the City of Toronto to the local and global business community.

Note: Before reviewing the qualifications listed below, we want you to know that we understand you may not meet all the qualifications described and have other relevant expertise and experience.  We invite you to please share this with us in the "Message to the Hiring Manager" section of our online application.

• Post-secondary degree or diploma; preferably in a Business-related field
• 10+ years managerial experience in corporate sales or service, promotional marketing or event marketing
• Sponsorship Property experience (agency, client, or property side) is an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfortable making presentations and public speaking
• Experience in selling intellectual property
• Above average knowledge of the Canadian, North American and global soccer landscape
• Experience developing and leading budgets
• Demonstrated ability to increase your existing partnership network to deliver lead generation and build and develop net new professional relationships
• Creative self-starter, driven by results and alert to change
• Ability to see the big picture and strategize accordingly
• Both a team builder and teammate who can relate professionally to all levels
• Shown to perform well balancing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Confident user of MS Office 2000 and XP, particularly Excel and PowerPoint for the purpose of communicating and presenting at the C-Suite level
• Proven understanding and familiarity with current social media tools
• A positive, winning approach, incorporating integrity, confidentially and discretion
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed

Reports to: Vice-President, Partnership Development & Strategy, MLSE.

Apply by: September 5, 2023

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

At MLSE, we are committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. MLSE will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email [email protected]. Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.