COMPANY BACKGROUND 

The Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting soccer participation and growth in Houston, TX and beyond. The Club’s brands include men's and women's professional teams - the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL), a development academy, Houston Dynamo Dash Charities, as well as Shell Energy Stadium and Houston Sports Park.    

The Club has a rich history, including MLS Cup titles (2006, 2007) and in-season tournament championships for both the Dynamo (2018) and Dash (2020) and is focused on building toward the next championships, inspiring and uniting the city of Houston through the sport of soccer and community outreach, and creating the most inclusive sporting experience and diverse fan base in the city and state. 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Houston Dash is seeking an experienced, organized, and solutions-oriented Director of Operations to lead all aspects of team operations and logistics for the club's NWSL team. 

The Director of Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the daily operational environment that supports player and staff performance. This position serves as a primary liaison between the coaching staff, player care, equipment, medical, performance, league office, stadium operations, and external vendors to ensure the team operates efficiently and professionally. 

The Director of Operations serves as a strategic partner to the Assistant General Manager, helping drive operational excellence, organizational alignment, and the continued growth of the Houston Dash sporting department. 

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver with experience in elite sport who can thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and deliver exceptional service to players and staff while maintaining league compliance and operational excellence. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Team Operations & Logistics 

• Lead the strategic planning, integration, and execution of all team operations and logistics in support of player and staff performance. 
• Provide strategic oversight of all team travel operations, establishing service standards, workflows, and processes 
• Lead planning and coordination efforts for all home and away competitions, preseason, and special events. 
• Lead the planning and alignment of team scheduling priorities across training, travel, competition, player care, and club initiatives to ensure operational efficiency and organizational cohesion. 
• Evaluate and continuously improve operational processes to enhance efficiency, communication, and the overall player and staff experience. 

Matchday & Competition Operations  

• Provide leadership and oversight for all home and away matchday operations, ensuring consistent execution and league compliance. 
• Continuously improve matchday operational standards and procedures across competition, travel, security, player care, and stadium functions. 
• Lead operational planning and coordination with NWSL competition staff, opposing clubs, stadium personnel, and internal stakeholders. 
• Ensure compliance with all league competition, operational, and event requirements. 
• Maintain and continuously refine matchday operational protocols, emergency action procedures, and event execution plans. 

League Compliance & Administration 

• Serve as a primary operational liaison to the National Women's Soccer League and other governing bodies as needed 
• Assist in leading league operational reporting, submissions, compliance initiatives, and administrative requirements. 
• Interpret, implement, and communicate league policies, regulations, and best practices across the sporting department. 
• Maintain operational governance systems, standard operating procedures, compliance tracking, and organizational records. 

Leadership & Department Management  

• Lead and develop the Sporting Operations function while fostering strong collaboration across Technical, Medical, Performance, Equipment, Player Care, Security, Communications, and Stadium Operations. 
• Serve as a key member of the Sporting Operations leadership team, helping align departmental objectives, priorities, and resources. 
• Lead cross-functional planning efforts and operational initiatives that support competitive success and organizational effectiveness. 
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, development, and performance management of operational staff. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, service, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the operational environment. 

Budget, Vendors & Strategic Projects  

• Assist in the development and management of team operations budgets and resource planning. 
• Source, develop and manage relationships with key operational vendors, including travel, hospitality, transportation, facilities, and service partners. 
• Lead strategic projects related to facilities, travel, security, technology, infrastructure, and operational development. 
• Partner with Club leadership on long-term planning initiatives that enhance the training environment, player experience, and organizational effectiveness. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree required. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in professional, collegiate, national team, or elite sports operations. 
• Experience working in women’s professional soccer preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience managing team travel, logistics, and event operations. 
• Strong understanding of high-performance sporting environments. 
• Experience supervising staff and managing multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Ability to travel extensively and work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES 

• Solutions-oriented and resourceful, with the ability to navigate complex situations by finding a path to "yes" whenever appropriate while confidently delivering a clear and timely "no" when required.  
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and prioritization skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives and stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, align, and build effective relationships across players, staff, league partners, vendors, and executive leadership.  
• Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and accountability while making decisions in the best interest of the Club.  
• Strategic thinker capable of translating organizational objectives into operational plans, systems, and measurable outcomes.  
• Collaborative and service-oriented leader who fosters trust, accountability, and strong working relationships across departments while consistently placing the Club, team, and players first.  
• Adaptable, resilient, and committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and promoting Houston Dash culture, values, and organizational core competencies. 

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Accountable – Holds themselves (and when appropriate others) accountable for achieving goals and objectives. 
• Collaborative – Works collaboratively with others to achieve organizational outcomes. 
• Progressive – Open minded, accepting, creative, and innovative in approach. 
• Values Driven – Being ethical in decision making and operating with professional integrity. 
• Agile – Achieves personal and organizational success within a changing, dynamic and complex environment. Ability to handle ambiguity. 

Additional Competencies for Leadership  

• Strategic – Leads opportunity and is committed to continuous improvement aligned with the organizational vision and direction.  
• Resilient – Demonstrates personal resilience within a demanding environment of high expectations. 
• Enabling – Drives excellence through valuing and developing others. 
• Business Acumen – Superior ability to understand and effectively navigate area of responsibility and various business scenarios.  
• Good Judgment – Strong critical thinking skills and ability to exercise discretion and good judgement. 

OTHER INFORMATION 

Diverse candidates of all backgrounds are welcome, and the Club seeks individuals passionate about sport, inspiring the city and devoted to the organization's growth. While duties and responsibilities vary across positions, we are seeking individuals who are accountable, collaborative, progressive, agile and ethical/values driven.  

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.