VP, Strategy and Corporate Development

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 the 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 with 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?

Athletes Unlimited is looking for a Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development to work with the CEO to manage and drive strategic planning, analyze and evaluate new opportunities, and maximize effective collaboration between the CEO and key constituents such as board members, investors, senior leadership, and new business partners. The VP will ensure AU executes a strategy informed by up-to-date market knowledge and strong and organized annual and longer-term planning. This position is full-time, will report to the CEO, and work collaboratively across the senior management team.

Responsibilities

1. Annual and Three-Year Strategic Planning at the Company and Division Level 
1. Manage and drive the annual process across the company
2. Work with CEO and business leads on setting annual objectives
3. Manage quarterly review of performance and tracking against objectives
4. Work with the CEO, Co-Founder, and senior leadership to put forth a comprehensive financial and strategic plan
5. Connect high-level company objectives and goals to tangible business performance targets
2. Special Projects
1. Support CEO and business leads on key projects such as:
1. Analysis and identification of new markets & partners for AUSL
2. Capital raising and networking with new investors
3. Development of a long-term venue strategy for AUSL and other sports
2. Proactively identify new opportunities in the ecosystem
3. Industry Tracking & Landscape Analysis
1. Regular tracking and analysis of the sports and media landscape
2. Special projects at the request of CEO and Co-Founder
3. Corporate leadership writing projects 
4. Corporate Development
1. Work closely with CEO, Co-Founder, COO, and VP, Finance on legal and financial aspects of new ventures & capital transactions 
2. Collaborate with the COO and VP, Finance on all preparation and presentations at board meetings and interim board communications
5. Internal Leadership Meetings
1. Set agendas and maximize the efficiency of internal senior leadership meetings 
2. Foster and promote internal communication and collaboration across the senior leadership team

• Bachelors degree, with preference for a Masters degree in business management, business administration or related field
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate development, strategy, investment banking, venture capital, corporate law or management consulting
• High-level strategic analysis coupled with hands-on facility with financial models/capital structure
• Strong financial and accounting knowledge with excellent analytical and modeling skills and a solid understanding of complex capital structure and ideas
• Ability to understand complex business dynamics and capital structures and communicate them effectively
• Proven excellence in strategic and business planning
• Deep passion and curiosity for the sports, media, and entertainment industries
• Superior organization and project management skills with a proven track record of managing multiple simultaneous projects and achieving milestones in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and  presentation skills
• A doer, not a delegator 
• High EQ with the ability to develop and foster partnerships and deals with outside parties
• Ability to work effectively with lawyers, investment bankers, and corporate executives
• Excellent collaboration skills with both senior and junior executives
• Experience in the sports industry is a plus
• Ability to travel
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

This role is full-time, remote, and is compensated at a range of $150,000 to $170,000 annually. 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. For full-time only: 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.