United Soccer League
Job Title: Sr. Director, Operations - USL Youth & Academy
Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Tampa, FL (USL Headquarters)
Overview of the United Soccer League (USL)
The United Soccer League (USL) is the heartbeat of American soccer. Impacting more than 200 communities across the United States, the USL is the first and only soccer organization in the United States to build a youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women within one ecosystem. That structure includes three professional leagues: Gainbridge Super League (women), USL Championship (men), and USL League One (men); two pre-professional leagues: USL League Two (men) and the USL W League (women); and two youth platforms: USL Academy and USL Youth.
Authentic, vital, and exciting, the USL is dedicated to providing an inclusive and memorable soccer experience for players, fans, and communities across our growing "soccer nation."
Position Purpose
This position is to lead operations for USL Academy & USL Youth which are professionally operated youth soccer leagues providing an elite platform for youth player development and identification in North America. USL is currently seeking a motivated, passionate, and hardworking candidate in the Sr. Director, Operations – USL Youth & Academy position within the organization dealing directly with league operations, event management, and customer service.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
- Lead the USL Youth & Academy operations staff in league operations practices and work on development initiatives with league leadership to help drive the mission of each league forward through operational excellence.
- Execute the efficient and successful operations of USL Youth & Academy properties by working collaboratively with VP, Operations – USL Youth & Pre-Professional on projects and dispute resolution.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for USL Youth & USL Academy owners/presidents and prospective owners on soccer operations matters.
- Lead the planning and execution of current and prospective sporting events conducted by USL, including but not limited to: USL Pathway Classic, USL Academy Playoffs, USL Youth Finals, USL Academy Finals, and other prospective events.
- Assist with USL Academy & USL Youth ongoing expansion and club onboarding efforts.
- Oversee in-season processes such as player discipline reports, minimum standards adherence, dispute resolution, travel logistics, and all other competition and operations-based logistics.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and management of league scheduling, educational webinars, league registration, & referee assignments. Analyze processes in each league to strive for streamlined efficiencies by unifying with other USL Youth & Pre-Professional leagues.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management, Business, or related field and/or equivalent professional work experience.
- 4+ years of experience working with the administration and maintenance of sports programs.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills are required.
- Experience in MS Word, Excel, and Power Point is necessary.
- Background in sport or event management, specifically soccer, is highly preferred.
- Candidate must be creative and able to think outside the box.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with team members, executives, member clubs, and external partners.
- Ability to work independently in a multi-faceted, fast, fluid, and deadline-driven environment.
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic a must.
- Ability to work as business needs require which may include long days, evenings, weekends, occasional holidays, and travel if / when necessary.
- Must have U.S. work authorization.
Work Environment
Based in Tampa, FL, USL Headquarters provides a vibrant and open working environment designed to promote collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and knowledge sharing. We believe in fostering a culture that encourages creativity, communication, and teamwork.
Currently, USL HQ operates on a hybrid work model. From Monday to Thursday, team members gather in person to harness the power of face-to-face collaboration. This not only strengthens the bonds within the team but also enhances communication and innovation. On Fridays, we transition to a remote work setup, providing our team with the flexibility to manage their tasks in an environment of their choosing.
Typical USL HQ hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm ET. Evenings, weekends, occasional holidays, and travel may be necessary based on business demands.
We have great Perks - Comprehensive Benefits Package • Medical, Dental, Vision • Health HSA and FSA • 401k w/ up to 6% company match • Pet Insurance • Corporate Discounts • Paid Vacation, Holiday & Sick Days • Business Casual Dress • Optional Remote Work Fridays • And More!
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
