Director, Hotels & Meetings

The Director, Hotel & Meetings leads the enterprise hotel sourcing, contracting, and meeting strategy for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing (MLS/SUM). This role oversees an annual portfolio of more than 100 hotel contracts while ensuring consistent contracting standards, cost efficiencies, and exceptional service delivery across all events and meetings.

The Director leads hotel strategy and operations for the Enterprise's marquee events - including MLS All-Star, MLS Cup, and MLS NEXT tournaments - which collectively encompass thousands of hotel room nights across multiple host properties. Partnering cross-functionally with internal stakeholders,  this role oversees hotel sourcing, contract negotiations, meeting planning, and operational execution to ensure seamless event execution.

This leader will strengthen relationships with hotel brands, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), destination partners, and key vendors while utilizing spend analytics and market intelligence to maximize value, negotiate favorable terms, and standardize contracting practices across the organization.

The Director also supports Enterprise’s commercial partnership strategy within the hotel category by providing post-event insights, performance analysis, and sourcing expertise to inform partnership development, activation planning, and future business opportunities.

Additionally, this role manages and develops one direct report, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• End-to-end hotel & meeting leadership, management and execution including hotel sourcing, property relationship management, room block management, onsite oversight, event operations and meeting management
• Provide leadership and execution for internal MLS/SUM departments throughout the year to develop and deliver their hotel and meeting event needs
• Development, distribution & evaluation of event briefs and RFP materials for hotel & meeting needs
• Lead venue/market site visits for programming and provide recommendations for hotel sourcing
• Negotiate hotel & venue agreements while maximizing relationships, concessions, and cost savings
• Manage hotel/meeting budgets and associated expenses/payments for assigned events, collaborating with Finance and Department Leads on the development of budgets, as necessary.
• Manage hotel rooming lists and pick up reports as part of overall contract/program management
• Develop and communicate hotel/meeting plans for programming with both internal and external departments and affiliates
• Manage pre-event and post-event recapping for hotel & meetings for events
• Support overall guest communication & invitation process by providing appropriate hotel/meeting information for guests for each event
• Partner with Creative Services to develop and produce event branding and creative, compliant to property standards, as designated by events/property toolkits/brand guidelines
• Overall delegation/guest and executive team hotel/meeting management for events, including advance communication and onsite management
• Collaborate with Partnership Marketing and Consumer Products team to integrate partnerships into hotel sourcing, and deliver sponsorship requirements/fulfillment for events
• Collaborate with Brand Alliances team on Hotel Brand Marketing and Partnership opportunities
• Conduct year-over-year data analysis across  hotel contracts, usage and business back/spend
• Participate in hiring and onboarding process including interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees and vendors/contractors, including the direct supervision of full-time employees.

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience

Required Skills

• Vast knowledge of the hotel industry in the U.S., including insight about specific properties in major markets, and an understanding of how hotels operate.
• Strong contract negotiation, influencing and event management skills
• Strong executive presence, experience working directly with C-Level Executives
• Experience building a team and managing staff
• Ability to travel and to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Analytical thinker, self-motivated, organized, flexible and a proven problem solver
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of Cvent, Passkey and additional hospitality planning tools used widely in the industry
• Experience working with hotel brand GSOs
• Experience working on high volume of programs/events simultaneously and with various different internal workstreams
• Experience developing, managing event budgets and finances; fiscally responsible with success overseeing large budgets and costs in detail
• High level of commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance
• Vast knowledge of, and experience in event management and production needs; able to both negotiate and manage vendors/partners including transportation, signage, catering, operations, etc.
• Experience working with and managing production and creative agencies
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally
• Some physical labor related to the set-up and breakdown of events
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of the Spanish Language (business proficiency)
• Knowledge of the sport of soccer and/or overall sports landscape in the US

Total Rewards

Major League Soccer offers a competitive starting base salary of $115,000 – 145,000, based on individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs. We are committed to providing a Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent. Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a $500 wellness reimbursement, and generous Holiday and PTO schedule to promote work-life balance. We also prioritize career and professional development, offering on-the-job training, feedback, and ongoing educational opportunities.

Major League Soccer believes in the value of in-person collaboration to support teamwork, creativity, and connection. Employees in this role are expected to work a four (4) day in-office schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely one (1) day each week, based on business and department needs.

Major League Soccer is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Major League Soccer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process, as well as during employment. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact Human Resources to request assistance.

Join our team and help support the growth and success of Major League Soccer.