Director of International Operations & Partnerships

Job Description:

The Director of International Operations & Partnerships will serve as a lead strategic partner to the President of International, overseeing the global expansion of our integrated portfolio, including the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), Just Courts Construction, and Pickleball Central (PBC). This position is responsible for the end-to-end development of international market entry strategies and the management of cross-border commercial partnerships.

The ideal candidate possesses a professional background in sports, media, or global event operations and demonstrates a proven ability to scale business units within a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and secure new international business opportunities, including media rights, partnerships, and event opportunities
• Lead end-to-end execution of international deals—from initial negotiation through launch and ongoing management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for international partners, ensuring strong relationships and successful delivery of all agreements
• Coordinate with internal domestic teams (Events, Media, and Marketing) to ensure the seamless transfer of operational standards to global sites.
• Support the development and rollout of international events, including logistics, production, and on-the-ground coordination
• Monitor global market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities to inform strategy
• Help establish scalable processes and frameworks to support continued international growth

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in sports, media, entertainment, or a related international business environment
• Proven experience working on international initiatives, partnerships, or market expansion
• Background in global events and/or media rights strongly preferred
• Prior experience with leading international or sports organizations (e.g., Disney, the NBA, or Netflix) is a plus.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage complex, cross-border initiatives from start to finish
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills across diverse cultures and stakeholders
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to operate both strategically and tactically
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed
• Schedule requirement: Ability to work non-traditional hours in non-traditional settings, including some nights, weekends, and holidays, and able and willing to travel to off-site events, etc., as needed.