TLH (pronounced Tallahassee) Reckoning is the first of its kind professionally operated women’s soccer franchise emerging from Tallahassee, Florida. TLH Reckoning includes a pre-professional team and reserves team which will play inaugural seasons in the Summer of 2024. Both teams will compete in the USL W League and USL Academy respectively. TLH Reckoning will operate year-round with College/Pro Track Training and Development (T&D) and Reckoning Futures programs kicking off in August to provide local female players with the holistic development substance that has been missing.
Breaking geographic and institutional barriers the Reckoning is owned and operated by one of the most successful architects of the modern women’s game across the nation – former United Soccer Coaches President, co-founder of the Girls Academy league, Washington Spirit founding executive, FSU women’s soccer and W League alum; a female minority and a fierce advocate for girls and women in soccer.
POSITION SUMMARY:
We are seeking a results-driven and experienced Lifestyle Brand Strategist to lead the development and execution of our professional sports team’s lifestyle brand development through merchandise and online retail strategy. As the Lifestyle Brand Strategist, you will be responsible for 1) creating and establishing a brand for a line of merchandise, which could include products like clothing, accessories, and other items that reflect the brand’s identity and values, 2) maximizing revenue, 3) enhancing the local fan experience, and 4) developing an overall lifestyle brand than extends beyond any boundaries. This role is two-fold. For instance, this position combines elements of branding, product development, marketing, and creative direction to create a cohesive and appealing merchandise collection. Additionally, it requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, leadership, and hands-on execution to drive growth in the rapidly evolving world of sports e-commerce.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:
1. Brand Strategy and Identity
Define the brand’s identity, values, and target audience based on market research and the company’s overall mission.
Develop a unique brand story and positioning that resonates with the target audience.
Determine the brand’s visual elements, including logo, color palette, typography, and design guidelines.
2. Product Selection and Development
Identify and curate a range of merchandise products that align with the brand’s identity and target audience.
Collaborate with designers, manufacturers, and suppliers to develop high-quality and on-brand merchandise.
Oversee the product development process, including design, prototyping, testing, and final production.
3. Merchandise Design and Creative Direction:
Provide creative direction to designers and artists to create visually appealing merchandise designs that reflect the brand’s aesthetics.
Review and approve design concepts, ensuring they meet quality and brand standards.
Ensure that the merchandise designs are consistent across various products and effectively convey the brand’s message.
4. Market Research and Trends
Stay informed about industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitor offerings in the merchandise market.
Analyze market research data to identify opportunities for new product categories and innovation.
5. Marketing and Promotion
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop marketing strategies that promote the merchandise collection.
Create compelling product descriptions, marketing copy, and visuals to showcase the products and their features.
Plan and execute marketing campaigns, promotions, and launches to drive awareness and sales.
6. Inventory Management and Supply Chain
Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure timely production and delivery of merchandise.
Manage inventory levels to avoid overstocking or shortages, optimizing merchandise availability.
7. Sales and Performance Analysis
Monitor sales performance of merchandise products and analyze key metrics.
Identify areas for improvement and adjust strategies based on sales data and customer feedback.
8. Collaboration and Communication
Work closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, marketing professionals, and sales representatives.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure smooth operations and successful product launches.
9. Quality Control and Assurance
Ensure that the merchandise products meet quality standards and expectations set by the brand.
Address any quality issues or customer concerns promptly and effectively.
10. Brand Expansion and Growth
Continuously explore opportunities for expanding the merchandise line, including new product categories or collaborations.
Develop strategies to increase brand visibility and grow the merchandise’s customer base.
E-COMMERCE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and implement the overall e-commerce strategy for the team’s online store, aligning with the team’s brand identity and values.
Build and lead a team of e-commerce professionals, including marketers, designers, developers, and customer service representatives, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
Drive revenue growth by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to enhance the online shopping experience, increase customer engagement, and optimize conversion rates.
Oversee the selection, pricing, and merchandising of products in the online store, ensuring a diverse and appealing product range that resonates with fans.
Collaborate with the marketing team to create and execute integrated campaigns that promote e-commerce initiatives, special collections, and merchandise launches.
Continuously monitor e-commerce industry trends, competitive landscape, and customer preferences to adjust strategies and maintain a competitive edge.
Implement and refine the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of the online store to ensure a seamless and user-friendly shopping journey.
Develop and manage a data-driven approach to e-commerce performance analysis, regularly providing insights and reports on key metrics such as sales, traffic, and customer behavior.
Establish and maintain relationships with external vendors, partners, and suppliers to optimize the supply chain, inventory management, and order fulfillment processes.
Stay up to date with evolving e-commerce technologies and platforms, exploring opportunities to implement new tools and features that enhance the online shopping experience.
Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements related to e-commerce, including data protection and consumer rights.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume, a personal statement of interest, three relevant references and any previous work examples to info@tlhreckoning.com. Rolling application.
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
TLH Reckoning is committed to uplifting our community, staff, players and club. We are seeking good humans and sound candidates to join us on this journey of breaking barriers to access and one of invigorating our community around women’s soccer.
TLH Reckoning will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions. Please contact us to request accommodation.
TLH Reckoning is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). TLH Reckoning is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions can include hiring, termination, compensation, benefits, promotion, training selection, or other statuses or conditions of employment. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skills, knowledge, abilities, job performance, and other appropriate qualifications.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree is a plus.
Proven track record of successful e-commerce strategy development and implementation within the sports, retail, or related industry.
Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and motivating cross-functional teams.
In-depth understanding of e-commerce platforms, technology, and best practices.
Exceptional analytical skills and ability to interpret data to drive informed decisions.
Creative mindset with a keen eye for product selection, merchandising, and branding.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with digital marketing strategies, including social media, email campaigns, and influencer partnerships.
Knowledge of customer experience optimization and user-centered design principles.
Passion for sports and a genuine understanding of fan culture.
Strong creative and design sensibility with an understanding of branding principles.
Familiarity with merchandising, retail, and consumer behavior trends.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, supply chain, and quality control.
Overall, the Lifestyle Brand Strategist plays a crucial role in creating a compelling merchandise collection that aligns with the brand’s identity, engages the target audience, and contributes to the brand’s overall success.
Mission: Breaking geographic and institutional barriers…With emphasis on the holistic development of the female player, we provide the connected development pathway for ambitious athletes from youth, to college, to domestic national or international teams and professional systems; shining a light on our local talent.
Vision: TLH Reckoning is the most sought-after women’s soccer development club for the best athletes seeking a rigorous yet safe environment to excel & unlock their unlimited potential within & capitalize on prosperous career opportunities the game presents on & off the field.