Director, Client Strategy

Socket.dev; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision insurance

Equity - stock options

Open PTO

401K with company match

Hybrid/flexible work environment

Job summary

PlayOn is seeking a Director of Client Strategy to lead sponsorship and brand partnership strategy for the National Ad Sales division, focusing on strengthening the MaxPreps brand in market. The role is player-coach, guiding insights, and optimizing client execution workflows while managing a team of strategists and cross-functional partners.

You will drive GTM strategy, develop editorial sponsorships, and coordinate with Sales to shape opportunities and pitches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 7+ years sales marketing, integrated marketing, and/or client strategy experience.
• Demonstrated track record of building creative sales materials, compelling brand stories, and strategic partnership recommendations.
• Demonstrated people-management experience with a track record of coaching high-performing teams, setting priorities, and developing talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evolution of GTM strategy for MaxPreps’ sponsorships and brand partnerships.
• Oversee productization of editorial content into sponsorships for brand partners.
• Guide research and insights to translate audience data into pitches and storytelling.
• Collaborate with Sales leadership to influence pipeline and ensure strong pre- and post-sale execution.
• Manage three Client Strategists and the Director, Research & Analytics, developing talent and ownership.

Skills

Brand partnerships

Strategic storytelling

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

GTM strategy

Research & insights

Sales enablement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Keynote

Figma

Pitch.com

Canva

Job description

PlayOn is looking for a highly creative, growth-minded Director of Client Strategy to lead development and execution of sponsorship and brand partnership strategy for the company’s National Ad Sales division. With a focus on strengthening the MaxPreps brand in market, this player-coach will shape our brand story and marketing materials, build sponsorship opportunities, guide research and insights, and optimize client execution workflows. The Director will manage a team of strategists, setting priorities, developing talent, and ensuring strong strategic output. Reporting to the SVP, National Ad Sales, the ideal candidate will be a strong storyteller with deep brand partnerships experience who can operate cross-functionally to help drive revenue across MaxPreps and the broader PlayOn portfolio including GoFan and NFHS Network.

The Outcomes You’ll Deliver

• Partnership Strategy – Lead development and evolution of MaxPreps’ GTM strategy informed by research, analytics, marketplace insights, and creative storytelling
• Sponsorship Development – Oversee productization of existing and net-new editorial content and franchises into compelling sponsorships for brand partners
• Research & Innovation – Guide the research and insights agenda with the Director, Research & Analytics, translating audience data into differentiated pitches and marketplace storytelling
• Sales Collaboration & Client Execution – Collaborate with Sales leadership to influence pipeline, prioritize strategic opportunities, and ensure exceptional pre- and post-sale execution
• Team Leadership & Development – Manage, coach, and develop three Client Strategists and the Director, Research & Analytics, fostering ownership, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning

In This Role, You Can Expect To

• Provide strategic and team leadership for GTM development across MaxPreps and the broader PlayOn portfolio, while remaining hands‑on with priority opportunities and client narratives
• Partner cross‑functionally to develop proactive and reactive sponsorship opportunities and tentpole calendars that leverage multichannel content / editorial
• Oversee creative development and ongoing management of media kits, marketing materials, templates, and pitch decks, ensuring quality and consistency across team output
• Set priorities, allocate resources, and coach the Client Strategy and Research & Analytics team to deliver high‑quality work that supports in‑market pitches and storytelling
• Build and optimize pre‑ and post‑sale workflows that champion speed, efficiency, clear ownership, and exceptional client service
• Lead ongoing analyses tied to brand ethos, marketplace story, audience insights, and supporting marketing materials with the Director, Research & Analytics
• Inform and influence decisions pertaining to production, deal margin, marketing initiatives / events, resource allocation, and more

To Thrive in This Role, You Have

• Bachelor's Degree and 7+ years sales marketing, integrated marketing, and/or client strategy experience
• Demonstrated track record of building creative sales materials, compelling brand stories, and strategic partnership recommendations
• Creative “big picture” mindset paired with a hands‑on, solutions‑oriented approach that can shape GTM strategy and move work from concept to execution
• Demonstrated people‑management experience with a track record of coaching high‑performing teams, setting priorities, and developing talent
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑moving, cross‑functional environment and align stakeholders around broader business and revenue outcomes
• Organized, strategic thinker who can balance multiple priorities and take concepts through execution for brand partners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in and enthusiasm for high school and broader sports marketplace
• Proficient in Figma Slides, Pitch.com, PowerPoint, Keynote, and other design / presentation tools (e.g. Canva)
• Understanding of the digital landscape including Display, Video, Audio, Social, Branded Content, Events, Data/Targeting, Ad Measurement, and more

We believe in transparency and meeting candidates at eye level. We know that money isn't everything - but it is important. For this role, we have determined a compensation range of $180,000 to $200,000 in addition to bonus potential, company equity, and benefits to be a fair and attractive offer. We would love the opportunity to meet you and learn more about you and your background, and final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors and may vary from the amount above.

How You Play

• Ownership over Participation- You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges.
• Team over Stars- You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win‑win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed.
• Growth over Comfort- You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting discomfort and failure as opportunities to learn.
• Fairness over Popularity- You approach decisions with a scientist’s mindset, challenging your assumptions and remaining objective. You consider long‑term impact rather than relying on short‑term gains, proactively seek others’ perspectives, and manage emotions in decision‑making.

PlayOn is where high school sports come to life. Through GoFan, NFHS Network, and MaxPreps, we give every fan a front‑row seat to the moments that matter most: the buzzer‑beaters, the comeback wins, the senior nights, the rivalries that define a town.

We built our technology for the people who live and breathe high school athletics — the parents who never miss a game, the alumni still cheering from across the country, the communities that show up week after week. From buying tickets to watching a live stream to reliving the highlights, we make it simple to stay close to the sports and the athletes you love most.

Backed by KKR, we build the technology that powers high school athletics from the inside out: Schools trust us to handle ticketing, streaming, fundraising, concessions, merchandise, and more so the people running programs can stay focused on the athletes and fans we all serve together.

We're a growth‑stage company on a mission to make high school sports more accessible, more memorable, and more connected than ever before.

When being there means everything, we make sure you never miss a moment.

Why You’ll Love Working at PlayOn

Product, potential, and people. We’re a leader in the high school event space, constantly evolving our product to meet the needs of administrators.

This is a growth‑stage company, meaning your contributions have real impact. You’ll have opportunities to grow your skills, tackle meaningful problems, and make a difference in the lives of schools and the students and fans they serve.

Our culture is built on accountability, collaboration, growth, and fairness. We don’t just show up—we show up for each other. Everyone wears the same jersey, and we play hard, make the extra pass, and cheer one another on. Losses teach us, challenges motivate us, and persistence drives us forward. We value integrity over shortcuts, choosing to do what’s right even when it’s hard. Together, we strive to be better every day—because we know that’s how we win as a team.

The Benefits We Offer

• Multiple medical insurance plans to choose from
• Dental, vision life and disability insurance
• Employee Emergency Fund
• Company equity (stock options)
• Open PTO policy
• 401K plan with company match
• Hybrid/flexible work environment

Note: Must be a full-time employee to participate in the company’s employee health benefit plan. Part‑time employees and interns are not eligible to participate