Named one of Sports Business Journal's Best Places to Work in Sports (2024, 2025), 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 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.

In June 2025, AU transformed and expanded its softball business by launching the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a premier professional women’s softball league. In 2026, additional teams have been added, converting to a fully city-based model, bringing in team owners, and building out ancillary business, fan and partner engagement opportunities.

Athletes Unlimited Softball League is looking for a Retail Operations Manager to lead on-the-ground execution of AU Pro Shop pop-ups and retail activations across league events. This position is a hands-on, travel-heavy role focused on store setup, merchandising, staff leadership, and in-person fan experience. The role is contract, part time, and reports to the VP, E-comm & Retail Ops. This role will take place from June through August.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Retail Operations & Event Execution (Primary Focus)

• Oversee day-to-day operations of pop-up shops at events
• Lead setup and teardown for each location
• Ensure clean, organized, high-performing retail environments
• Manage inventory flow, restocks, transfers, and stock organization

Visual Merchandising

• Execute and maintain planograms
• Ensure all displays are on-brand and optimized for sales
• Align merchandising with promotions and storytelling

Staffing & Leadership

• Train and schedule part-time retail staff
• Lead on-site teams during events
• Provide coaching, feedback, and motivation
• Model strong customer service on the floor

Customer Experience

• Ensure exceptional in-person fan interactions
• Resolve issues quickly and professionally
• Bring energy and engagement to the retail space

Analytics & Reporting

• Use data to adjust staffing and merchandising
• Track and report sales performance, product movement, and event insights (including attendance)

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Retail Buying, League Operations, and Warehouse Operations
• Support activations and special programs

• 3–5 years in retail operations, store management, or event merchandising
• Experience managing pop-ups or multi-location retail
• Strong merchandising and inventory management skills
• Proven leadership of part-time teams
• Willingness to travel frequently to game locations during the season
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours when in season
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

Physical Requirements

The AUSL takes place in outdoor venues, during the summer months. Candidates should be able to and comfortable with:

• Performing job duties outdoors in summer weather, including exposure to heat, humidity, and direct sunlight
• Standing for duration of each shift (approximately 6-8 hours) while performing job-related tasks
• Ability to safely lift and move, push or pull objects up to 25 pounds independently, and over 25 pounds with assistance

These are essential functions of the role and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

The rate for this position is $25/hr.

As this is a seasonal position, traditional employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are not included.

1099 Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and insurance coverage.

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.

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.