MLS NEXT Director of Goalkeeping

Location: Hoover / Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Department: Technical / Sporting
Reports To: MLS NEXT Director & Technical Leadership
Position Type: Part-Time

Club Overview
Hoover Vestavia Soccer (HVS) operates within the elite MLS NEXT platform, providing a comprehensive player development pathway through both the MLS NEXT Academy Division and MLS NEXT Homegrown Division.

HVS is committed to building a unified, high-performance environment rooted in long-term development, professional standards, accountability, and competitive excellence. The club’s goalkeeping department plays a critical role in this pathway, supporting players from foundational stages through MLS NEXT competition.

Position Summary
The MLS NEXT Director of Goalkeeping is responsible for leading, designing, and implementing a unified goalkeeper development model across both MLS NEXT Academy and MLS NEXT Homegrown divisions.

This senior technical leadership role oversees goalkeeper curriculum, coach education, player evaluation, and long-term pathway alignment. The Director will manage goalkeeper coaches, drive Individual Development Plans (IDPs), integrate performance services, and collaborate closely with team coaches and technical leadership to ensure goalkeepers are developed within the club’s tactical identity.

This position requires advanced coaching expertise, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to build and manage elite development programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Goalkeeper Program Leadership
1. Design and implement a comprehensive goalkeeper curriculum aligned with HVS philosophy and MLS NEXT standards.
2. Establish age-specific development frameworks across both:
  1. MLS NEXT Academy Division (school-year pathway)
  2. MLS NEXT Homegrown Division (year-round pathway)
3. Create standardized session structures, terminology, and performance benchmarks clubwide.
Player Development & Evaluation
1. Lead goalkeeper-specific training sessions across key age groups.
2. Develop and monitor Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for all MLS NEXT goalkeepers.
3. Implement technical, tactical, physical, and psychological performance benchmarks.
4. Conduct formal evaluations and provide structured feedback to players and families.
5. Support goalkeeper progression and placement within the HVS pathway.
Coach Oversight & Education
1. Recruit, mentor, and evaluate goalkeeper coaches across Academy and Homegrown divisions.
2. Lead internal education sessions focused on:
  1. Modern goalkeeping methodology
  2. Tactical integration
  3. Video analysis and feedback systems
3. Establish clear KPIs and accountability standards for goalkeeper staff.
Performance Integration
1. Collaborate with performance staff to integrate strength & conditioning, injury prevention, load management, and mental performance strategies into goalkeeper development.
2. Oversee goalkeeper-specific testing protocols and tracking metrics.
Talent Identification & Pathway Alignment
1. Assist in identifying and recruiting high-potential goalkeepers.
2. Create vertical integration from younger age groups into MLS NEXT competition.
3. Provide strategic input on roster planning and long-term succession mapping.
Professional Standards & Representation
1. Ensure compliance with all HVS policies and MLS NEXT technical standards.
2. Represent HVS at league events, showcases, camps, and educational forums.
3. Model professionalism and promote a culture of discipline, respect, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Extensive experience coaching goalkeepers in elite youth, collegiate, or professional environments.
Advanced coaching license required (USSF “B” minimum; USSF “A” or UEFA equivalent strongly preferred).
Demonstrated success building or leading goalkeeper development programs.
Strong understanding of goalkeeper technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development.
Proven leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary high-performance environment.
Availability for evenings, weekends, and travel.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Preferred Attributes

Experience within MLS NEXT or comparable high-performance pathways.
Background in data-informed player evaluation.
Strong alignment with long-term development over short-term results.
Collaborative leadership style.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:
Cover Letter
Resume or CV
Coaching Licenses/Certifications
Professional References

Hoover-Vestavia Soccer