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) (2023) 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
Houston Dynamo FC is seeking a proven, high-performance leader to oversee the Houston Dynamo FC Academy. This role is a cornerstone of the Club’s sporting strategy and is responsible for building, leading, and executing an elite youth development program that can consistently produce players capable of making meaningful contributions to the Houston Dynamo FC first team. This position will oversee technical, operational, educational, and cultural aspects of the Academy, ensuring alignment with Club methodology, values, and long-term competitive objectives. The successful candidate will demonstrate a holistic approach to performance disciplines within a unified club pathway.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
- Lead and manage all aspects of the Houston Dynamo FC Academy in alignment with Club and league standards
- Design, implement, and continuously evolve a clearly defined player pathway from Academy through MLS NEXT Pro to the first team
- Oversee the technical direction of the Academy, including coaching philosophy, pedagogy, age-specific curriculum, and methodology
- Ensure cohesive execution of technical and tactical frameworks across all Academy age groups
- Develop Academy players capable of competing at the MLS and professional level
- Manage, mentor, and evaluate Academy staff, including coaches, scouts, administrators, and support personnel
- Establish and maintain a high-performance culture that reflects Houston Dynamo values
- Oversee Academy recruitment strategy and player identification processes in collaboration with Technical Leadership
- Lead all Academy operations, including training, competition, education, player welfare, homestay, and college placement
- Assist in the development and management of the Academy budget
- Serve as a key member of the Club’s Soccer Leadership Team
- Collaborate closely with the President of Soccer, Technical Director, and Assistant General Manager on player development strategy
- Establish regular reporting and performance evaluation processes for players, coaches, and programs
- Maintain strong relationships with Academy families, local clubs, leagues, and community stakeholders
- Ensure effective use of Club-approved technologies and performance tools
- Represent Houston Dynamo FC professionally in all internal and external environments
- Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Club objectives
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 10 years of experience in a high-performance soccer environment
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership or management role
- Demonstrated experience leading a professional soccer academy
- Proven track record of developing elite youth players within a professional pathway
- Strong understanding of the U.S. youth soccer ecosystem and MLS development structures
- Experience managing budgets and complex operational environments
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic, results-driven environment
- U.S. Soccer A License (or equivalent international license) preferred
- Youth Pro License and/or Academy Director Course strongly preferred
- Coach educator experience considered an asset
- Fluency in multiple languages considered an asset
- High proficiency with sports technology platforms and Microsoft Office
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required
ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES
- Core Competencies:
- Strategic leadership and vision
- Elite player and coach development
- High-performance culture building
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Emotional intelligence and stakeholder management
- Integrity, professionalism, and accountability
OTHER INFORMATION
Houston Dynamo FC Commitment: Houston Dynamo FC is committed to developing talent in ab inclusive, supportive, and high-performance environment. We seek leaders who align with our Club values and are dedicated to excellence on and off the field.
