Senior Director, Public Affairs

Job description

Named one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports (2024), Front Office Sports’ Most Impactful Sports Organizations (2024), and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies (2023), Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience. Athletes Unlimited stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee, and players sharing in long-term profits of the company, all while being proactive in shaping policies supporting the women that play in the league. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com .

We provide our team of enthusiastic, collaborative innovators a next-generation workplace with unlimited PTO, competitive health insurance, professional development opportunities, and more so that we can build the future of professional sports. Are you Unlimited?

Position Overview

In 2026, Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) will launch six city-based teams that will compete over a two-month season nationwide. Each team will play 12-15 games in their home city and travel to other cities for an additional 12-15 games, creating an exciting new chapter in professional women’s softball.

While AUSL has established teams focused on specific functional areas at the national level, we are seeking a Senior Director, Public Affairs to serve as a senior representative of the organization across our six local markets. This position is full-time, remote with extensive travel, and reports to the Chief Growth Officer of Athletes Unlimited.

The Senior Director, Public Affairs will be responsible for building and maintaining critical relationships across multiple fronts that directly impact business development, including sponsor relationships, ticket sales partnerships, marketing collaborations, civic engagement, government relations, and community connections. This role requires a seasoned sports executive who can effectively connect local market opportunities with AUSL’s functional departments, recognizing which opportunities warrant pursuit and facilitating the right connections at the right time. The ideal candidate will have deep sports industry knowledge and the ability to scale their efforts across multiple markets while ensuring AUSL maintains a meaningful presence and impact in each city.

Responsibilities

Multi-Market Relationship Development

• Serve as a primary representative of AUSL in six local markets, building credibility and presence in each city

  • The Senior Director will also deploy other AUSL and AU executives, GMs, coaches, and players, as well as any local team operating partners we may decide to work with

• Cultivate strategic relationships across multiple stakeholder groups, including business leaders, sponsors, government officials, civic organizations, and community partners

• Identify and prioritize high-value relationship opportunities that drive revenue, fan engagement, and community support

• Develop a deep understanding of each market’s unique dynamics, key players, and business landscape

• Create a systematic approach to maintaining a meaningful presence for AUSL across all markets

Cross-Functional Connection & Opportunity Management

• Serve as the critical bridge between local market opportunities and AUSL functional departments (sales, marketing, partnerships, operations, impact)
• Assess potential opportunities using sports industry expertise to determine ROI and strategic value
• Facilitate introductions and coordinate meetings between local stakeholders and appropriate AUSL departments
• Guide internal departments on local market dynamics and help navigate market-specific challenges
• Ensure efficient use of organizational resources by filtering opportunities and focusing on high-impact initiatives

Public Representation & Speaking Engagements

• Represent AUSL at chambers of commerce meetings, convention & visitors bureau events, and sports commission gatherings
• Serve as keynote speaker and panelist at local business forums and industry events
• Participate in civic meetings and community gatherings to elevate AUSL’s profile
• Develop and deliver compelling presentations that resonate with diverse local audiences
• Build AUSL’s reputation as a valued community partner and economic driver

Strategic Business Development Support

• Support sponsor acquisition by leveraging local relationships and market knowledge
• Assist ticket sales efforts through connections with local businesses and organizations
• Facilitate marketing partnerships that amplify brand presence in each market
• Connect community impact initiatives with appropriate local partners and resources
• Provide market intelligence to guide business strategy and expansion decisions
• Help access/drive long-term investment by governments, sponsors, and civic leaders to drive facility improvements and other investments to elevate AUSL

Government & Civic Relations

• Build relationships with mayors, city council members, and key government officials
• Navigate local government processes for permits, venue agreements, and public partnerships
• Represent AUSL in discussions about economic impact and community benefits
• Coordinate with local sports commissions and tourism authorities
• Position AUSL teams as valuable civic assets worthy of public support
• Senior Director may create local advisory committees or other means by which to generate ongoing support

Market Intelligence & Internal Advisory

• Serve as internal resource for AUSL departments navigating local market dynamics

• Provide regular market updates to executive leadership

• Advise on market-specific strategies and cultural considerations

• Identify emerging opportunities and potential challenges in each market

• Develop best practices for multi-market engagement that can scale efficiently

• 10+ years of experience in sports business development, external relations, or market development roles

• Proven track record of building and leveraging relationships to drive business results

• Deep understanding of the sports industry ecosystem including sponsorships, media, ticketing, and community relations

• Experience managing responsibilities across multiple geographic markets

• Exceptional ability to assess opportunities and prioritize high-value activities

• Strong business acumen with ability to recognize revenue and strategic opportunities

• Outstanding public speaking and presentation skills

• Experience working with government officials and navigating civic processes

• Demonstrated success connecting stakeholders across different sectors and industries

• Self-directed with the ability to manage complex schedule across multiple markets

• Strategic mindset balanced with hands-on execution capabilities

• Willingness to travel 50-60% of time across six markets

• Passion for women’s sports and growing new sports properties

• Legal authorization to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience launching or growing teams in multiple markets simultaneously
• Background with minor league sports, expansion teams, or multi-market properties
• Established relationships in one or more AUSL target markets
• Understanding of local government relations and economic development
• Experience with franchise development or multi-unit operations
• Track record of revenue generation through relationship development
• Fluency in Spanish for diverse market engagement

Key Success Factors

• Ability to maintain meaningful presence and relationships across six distinct markets
• Skill in quickly assessing opportunity value and making smart resource allocation decisions
• Capacity to serve as an effective connector between local opportunities and organizational capabilities
• Success in scaling efforts without diminishing impact in individual markets
• Building trust and credibility as the face of AUSL in local communities

This role is full-time, exempt, and is compensated at a range of $119,000 to $130,000 depending on experience. While this is the intended range, the actual compensation may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, skills, and geographic location of the position. We anticipate the highest end of the range will be reserved for those who exceed the hiring committee’s expectations on all measures of the evaluation process. In addition, Athletes Unlimited is proud to offer comprehensive benefits and perks to all of our full-time employees, including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness and Development benefit
• Caregiving benefit
• Unlimited paid time off alongside company holidays

OUR DEI STATEMENT

As a company, we share a vision to change the world for the better and believe in the power of sports to tear down barriers. We will Be Unlimited in our pursuit to intentionally create an environment where every individual can be their authentic self.

Research shows that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications. We strongly encourage you to apply even if your background is non-traditional or you might not meet every one of the qualifications described.

Athletes Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its hiring process based on race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy status, parental status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.