Overview

The Director of Technology Operations at Major League Soccer holds the pivotal role of spearheading, strategizing, and driving an innovative operations center for the organization. This position entails the creation and implementation of a modern Technology Operations Framework, prioritizing elements such as streamlined processes, effective communication, and automation.

This leadership role entails the supervision of a team functioning in a demanding and dynamic environment, guaranteeing the seamless functioning of operations, consistent communication, and a relentless commitment to enhancing our operations, while also driving innovation and excellence within our sport. The Technology Operations team is responsible for supporting both gameday and non-gameday activities, and the chosen candidate will be required to deliver a comprehensive plan encompassing both aspects.

This position holds high visibility within our organization and will be closely intertwined with our key technology partners. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of soccer operations and the technological infrastructure of one of the fastest growing and most thrilling leagues globally.

Responsibilities

• Shape a forward-thinking vision and provide operational guidance for the tech organization's operations framework to maintain the highest standards of service quality and dependability.
• Oversee the deployment and management of the entire technology stack that underpins the operations framework, encompassing monitoring, automation, and communication solutions.
• Identify and implement the necessary components of the technology stack, monitoring tools, automation solutions, team resources, and collaborative platforms essential for establishing an Operations Center.
• Establish relevant metrics and dashboards to ensure that TechOps processes align with the organization's needs and standards.
• Collaborate closely with peers throughout the technology organization, including engineering, infrastructure, security, and product teams, to streamline operational processes and seamlessly integrate our virtual technology operations center with our product development and business strategies.
• Promote automation excellence by leading the development and implementation of advanced automation solutions to enhance technology processes and operations.
• Foster cross-functional alignment by working closely with teams from various groups to ensure the smooth operation and reliability of technology systems.
• Take ownership of meeting defined operational SLAs to ensure that technology operations consistently meet or exceed the agreed-upon service levels.
• Exhibit strong team leadership by effectively managing a team of highly skilled consultants and full-time professionals, cultivating a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across our enterprise operations.
• Apply data-driven insights for thorough Incident Analysis, enabling the identification of trends and proactive addressing of vulnerabilities in collaboration with other tech leaders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and standard methodologies, aiming to find opportunities for ongoing improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., ITIL, AWS, Azure) are highly desirable.
• 8 years overall experience, with 5 years of experience in leadership roles within technology operations (ITSM/ITOM) or a related field
• 7 years Cloud Expertise: A strong background in cloud computing, with a proven track record in architecting and managing cloud hosting solutions and services from providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• 5 years of Technical Operations: Hands-on experience managing complex technology operations environments, including aspects like infrastructure, network, security, and incident management.
• Proficiency in implementing automation tools and a proven ability to drive automation excellence within the organization, improving efficiency and reliability.

Required Skills

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Proficiency in cloud technologies and services.
• Knowledge of IT service management (ITSM) and ITIL practices.
• Automation and scripting expertise (Python, Bash, PowerShell, etc.).
• Experience with monitoring tools and technologies.
• Data analysis and reporting skills.
• Risk management and security knowledge.
• Vendor and contract management experience.
• Change management and project management skills.
• High-level of commitment to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• High attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• The position requires the ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Total Rewards

Starting Base Salary: $130,000 - $185,000. MLS/SUM base salaries are contingent upon several factors including individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs.

We are committed to providing a Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent through the following:

• Benefits – comprehensive and competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a suite of programs to promote well-being including a $500 Wellness Reimbursement. A generous PTO offering, and hybrid Office/Remote Work Schedule are also offered to promote Work-Life balance.
• Career & Professional Development – on the job training, feedback, and on-going educational opportunities to continue your personal and professional development.
• Employee Engagement – office perks, discounts and employee events that go “beyond the traditional paycheck” to make you feel a part of our team and inspire you to elevate the Game!

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. MLS/SUM complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding disability discrimination and accommodation.