Manager, Commercial Initiatives

  • Full-time

Company Description

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.

Job Description

We're seeking a Manager of Commercial Initiatives to play a pivotal role within our Revenue Retention, Premium Service & Commercial Initiatives team. Embark on an exciting journey within the dynamic sports and entertainment industry as our Manager of Commercial Initiatives. In this role, you'll explore uncharted territories across various verticals including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, Marlies, Argos, and Raptors 905, as well as Premium LIVE.

This position requires exceptional comfort with ambiguity and the innate ability to navigate uncharted territory, guiding both oneself and team members to achieve end-to-end success.

In this role, you'll leverage your strong understanding of the sports and entertainment landscape, coupled with deep business acumen, to identify, conceive, develop, and execute new initiatives with commercial potential. Your role extends beyond ideation – it's about translating and articulating these concepts effectively to drive revenue, enhance customer retention, and fortify our business against fluctuations in team performance.

Join us and be the driving force behind innovative solutions that shape the future of season seat member experiences.

  • Identify untapped revenue opportunities and develop innovative products, programs, and experiences to meet season seat holder needs, support retention, enhance profitability, and ensure initiatives are aligned with the organization's strategic priorities.
  • Develop comprehensive financial analyses for new products, programs, or experiences, articulating opportunities, costs, and benefits to senior stakeholders to facilitate informed decision-making.
  • Implement controls for risk mitigation to ensure effective management of financial risks associated with new initiatives.
  • Function as a strategic project leader for all new commercial initiatives, guiding projects from conceptualization to execution.
  • Develop marketing materials that effectively communicate product and program benefits, fostering deep emotional connections with our season seat members.
  • Cultivate a deep understanding of our season seat member base and the competitive environment to ensure successful product sell-through.
  • Maintain awareness of industry trends to continuously enhance our Membership benefits model and strategically target new audiences.
  • Identify gaps in customer insights to inform the development of new initiatives, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and preferences.
  • Develop launch plans, pitch decks, and project schedules, overseeing cross-functional implementation to meet deadlines.
  • Manage relationships with MLSE Digital Labs to leverage technology and tools for collaboration and program offerings.
  • Collaborate with the Global Partnership team to enhance partnership value channels and offerings for our season seat members.
  • Identify and leverage marquee moments across all brands to create new commercial opportunities in collaboration with Retail and Brand Marketing.
  • Act as a strategic consultant on new enterprise commercial initiatives, representing the voice of the season seat customer.
  • Collaborate with external content creators where required to develop unique products and assets for season seat member offerings.

Qualifications

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. 

  • 3-5 years of work experience in relevant fields such as marketing, business development, or strategic planning.
  • Experience in the sports and entertainment industry is preferred, with a strong understanding of its dynamics and challenges.
  • Expertise in market research and consumer insights analysis to inform strategic decision-making and identify audience preferences.
  • Proven track record in developing strategic partnerships and collaborations within the sports and entertainment ecosystem.
  • Proficiency in product development methodologies and innovation frameworks for conceptualizing, developing, and launching new offerings.
  • Strong understanding of revenue optimization strategies and monetization techniques specific to the sports and entertainment industry.
  • Skills in data analytics, business intelligence, and performance measurement for leveraging data-driven insights.
  • Experience in strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive successful execution of commercial initiatives.

Additional Information

Apply by: May 6th, 2024

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, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability. 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.