Bay FC
Head of Grounds
Bay FC - Director
San Francisco, CA
Grounds Crew/Turf Management
$120,000 / year
1
4
hours ago
Background
Bay FC is the first NWSL team in the Bay Area. Co-founded by four U.S. Women’s National Team legends—Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne—in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street, Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity.
Bay FC is a team that defies convention and transcends culture. We are proud to represent the Bay Area with its tapestry of different ethnicities, languages, climates, and ideas. Our team will be a uniting force, building a culture of belonging and shared pride. We will become a beacon of hope and connection, welcoming and embracing all fans. Our stadium will be a home for people of all backgrounds and identities. We will be the bridge that unites the Bay’s diverse communities. Through our actions and our love of the game, we will inspire and improve the lives of others.
While our community is our foundation, our love of football is our reason for being. We have the fire to be the best, and we will show up on the field every day with intensity, competitiveness, passion, and a drive to win.
Position Summary
The Head of Grounds is responsible for the operational oversight, maintenance, and long-term health of the natural grass training fields at Bay FC's Performance Center on Treasure Island. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines turf management expertise with day-to-day operational management, ensuring that all playing surfaces consistently meet the highest professional standards for player safety, performance, and aesthetics.
This position will lead a small grounds team, manage vendor and contractor relationships, and serve as the primary subject matter expert on all turf-related matters for the club.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the daily and seasonal maintenance, safety, and health of three natural grass training fields
- Develop and execute turf management programs tailored to the coastal microclimate and soil conditions of Treasure Island
- Monitor and manage soil health, moisture levels, and grass growth through regular testing and data-driven decision-making
- Maintain field markings, goal mouth areas, and high-traffic zones to professional standards at all times
- Lead the procurement process for grounds maintenance services, including developing RFP documentation, evaluating bids, and recommending contractor selection
- Serve as the primary point of contact and day-to-day manager for all contracted grounds personnel, ensuring work is performed to club standards and contract specifications; develop and maintain standard operating procedures and scope-of-work documentation to guide contractor activities
- Collaborate with head coach, performance staff, and operations team to align field use schedules with maintenance windows and recovery periods
- Proactively communicate field conditions, closures, and readiness to relevant stakeholders
- Develop and manage the annual grounds budget, including labor, materials, equipment, and contracted services
- Ensure all grounds operations comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including pesticide application licensing, water use restrictions, and environmental guidelines specific to Treasure Island and San Francisco Bay Area
- Stay current on NWSL and FIFA field quality standards and ensure surfaces meet or exceed those benchmarks
Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in professional or elite-level sports turf management, with direct responsibility for natural grass playing surfaces; experience at a professional soccer club, stadium or multi-field training facility preferred
- Familiarity with the unique environmental conditions of the San Francisco Bay Area, including coastal fog, salt air, and water use regulations preferred
- Strong working knowledge of turf management principles, including soil science, plant pathology, irrigation management, and integrated pest management
- Proficiency with grounds maintenance equipment operation and preventive maintenance
- Knowledge of NWSL, FIFA, or equivalent governing body field quality standards preferred
- Valid California Qualified Applicator License (QAL) or Certificate (QAC) for pesticide application
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills across diverse stakeholders and organizational levels
- Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, and around training schedules
Compensation
Salary for this role starts at $120,000. Actual starting pay may vary based on a range of factors which can include experience, skills, and scope.
Bay FC is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Bay FC is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
