The Head Coach serves as the leader of the First Team and the primary steward of the club’s playing identity, competitive standards, and performance culture.
The Head Coach is responsible for creating an environment where players, coaches, and staff consistently improve while competing to win. This role will oversee all aspects of First Team performance, including training methodology, match preparation, player development, staff leadership, game model implementation, and cultural standards.
Success in this role requires the ability to balance immediate competitive objectives with long-term organizational development. The ideal candidate understands that winning and development are not competing priorities. They are mutually reinforcing outcomes.
The Head Coach will work closely with the President, VP of Sporting Operations & Strategy, Head of Scouting, Recruitment & Performance Analysis, Academy leadership, and sporting staff to ensure complete alignment across all football operations.

The successful candidate will play a foundational role in establishing the identity and standards that will define AC Grand Rapids for years to come.

Primary Responsibilities 

 Team Performance & Competitive Excellence

·        Lead all aspects of First Team preparation and performance

·        Design and implement training plans that maximize player and team development

·        Develop match strategies and game plans aligned with club principles

·        Prepare the team tactically, technically, physically, and mentally for competition

·        Lead all matchday coaching responsibilities and in-game decision-making

·        Evaluate team performance and implement continuous improvement processes

·        Establish competitive standards and accountability expectations throughout the squad

·        Drive consistent improvement in team performance metrics and competitive outcomes

·        Serve as the primary architect and daily steward of the AC Grand Rapids game model

·        Translate club philosophy into observable behaviors, training activities, and match performance

·        Implement a consistent style of play throughout all phases of the game

·        Collaborate with sporting leadership to continuously evolve and refine the club’s football methodology

·        Ensure tactical principles are consistently reinforced through training and competition

·        Maintain alignment between recruitment, development, and playing identity

·        Create an environment where every player improves

·        Lead the implementation of Individual Development Plans

·        Provide regular feedback and performance evaluations

·        Develop leadership capacity and professional habits within the player group

·        Identify and support players capable of progressing to higher levels

·        Balance individual growth with team performance objectives

·        Promote a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement

·        Lead, mentor, and develop the First Team technical staff

·        Foster collaboration across coaching performance, medical, analysis, and operations departments

·        Ensure clear communication and role clarity throughout the staff structure

·        Build systems that promote consistency, preparation, and operational excellence

·        Support the professional growth of assistant coaches and technical staff members

·        Create a unified leadership team aligned around common objectives

·        Partner closely with AC Grand Rapids Academy leadership to create a seamless player pathway

·        Support the implementation of a shared football methodology throughout the club

·        Facilitate Academy player integration opportunities

·        Participate in player reviews, pathway discussions, and succession planning

·        Ensure alignment of terminology, principles, and developmental priorities

·        Serve as a visible advocate for internal player development

·        Collaborate with the VP of Sporting Operations & Strategy and the Head of Scouting, Recruitment & Performance Analysis on roster construction and player recruitment

·        Assist in establishing positional profiles and squad needs

·        Evaluate recruitment targets and provide technical recommendations

·        Support succession planning and long-term roster development

·        Participate in trialist evaluations and talent identification initiatives

·        Serve as a visible ambassador for AC Grand Rapids

·        Represent the club professionally with supporters, sponsors, media, and community stakeholders

·        Participate in club events and community initiatives

·        Promote the growth of soccer throughout West Michigan

·        Embody the values and identity of AC Grand Rapids in all public interactions

·        USSF A License, UEFA A License, or equivalent

·        Eligibility to obtain or maintain a USSF Pro License

·        Significant coaching experience within professional, elite academy, collegiate, or international environments

·        Demonstrated success in developing players and building high-performance cultures

·        Strong tactical expertise and game model implementation experience

·        Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary staff

·        Experience utilizing video, data, and performance analysis to support decision-making

·        Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills

·        Ability to work effectively within a collaborative sporting structure

·        Legally eligible to work in the United States and travel extensively with the team

·        USSF Pro License or UEFA Pro License

·        Professional head coaching experience

·        Experience within MLS, MLS Next Pro, or comparable professional environments

·        Track record of advancing players to higher competitive levels

·        Experience building or transforming sporting cultures

.       Experience working within integrated academy-to-professional development systems.