Director of Academy Football Operations

San Diego FC (San Diego FC) is the newest member of the MLS family. As part of the unique Right to Dream model and the Sycuan Tribe’s deep roots, we are proud to be building a San Diego-centric soccer organization that honours our history and celebrates emerging excellence.

SUMMARY:

Working as part of San Diego Football Club’s Right To Dream Academy leadership team, the Director of Academy Football Operations holds operational responsibility for all academy teams. This person will oversee the operational needs of the academy including the daily operation of the academy facilities, the daily academy schedule, match scheduling, planning and preparation, team travel arrangements, local player transportation, player registrations and immigration, MLS Next rule oversight, kit and training equipment management.

This role line manages the equipment and sporting operations teams: Equipment Manager, Operations Coordinator and assistants.

Primary Role:

• Operations of SDFC’s Right to Dream Academy

• Support other strategic projects and operational needs

Secondary Role:

• Support the EVP Academy and work with Academy leadership team to provide operational and strategic support to academy, school and residence

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership and supervision to the team operations staff, player care, and equipment departments.

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with the facilities team and SDFC first team operations, ensuring timely and efficient communication around academy team needs.

• Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of academy travel, including all aspects of pre-season, in-season, and post-season travel.

• Serve as the primary football operations point of contact for players and soccer operations staff, ensuring clear and timely communication.

• Proactively communicate with academy, school and residence staff regarding team planning, travel documents and itineraries.

• Enforce guidelines outlined in the MLS Next Operations & Competition Manuals.

• Liaise with and support academy, school and residence staff to arrange player visits

• Support player recruitment at an interpersonal level, engaging with player and family transitions

• Lead all home team soccer academy operations during home games, including understanding stadium and field protocols, and overseeing team/player/coach needs.

• Work with leadership to oversee the operational budget of the academy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates can meet the requirements with a combination of experience in the following areas:

• 8 years' experience in a high-performance, elite soccer operations environment.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

• Ability and willingness to travel, work on weekends, and accommodate extended hours as necessary.

• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Outstanding multitasking abilities with a keen attention to detail.

• Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment and build strong working relationships.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively convey messages to colleagues, coaches, players.

• Independent, enthusiastic approach, and proactive attitude.

• Managerial experience required

• Knowledge of youth, college and pro player pathways

• Understanding of professional soccer club player development

• Experience in other soccer operations roles

• Share in the values of SDFC and Right to Dream; appreciates the importance of character, education, and pathway in addition to football potential

ABOUT SAN DIEGO FC:

Our VISION is to be the epicenter of football excellence and innovation in North America

Our MISSION is to create opportunities for talent to flourish and San Diego to shine

We value community, diversity, and acting with purpose. We are looking for leaders at all levels to co-create the culture of a new organization that is built on the premise that you can discover, understand, and re-define excellence by nurturing talent and creating opportunity anywhere – specifically though soccer.

Globally, Right to Dream partners with talented young people to give them a nurturing environment to flourish and thrive. We do this through a holistic model of athletic development, where young people grow as human beings and great footballers. RTD’s promise is set out in their Manifesto: a set of 8 commitments which will be central to the San Diego FC ethos from the front office to the field, when games start at Snapdragon Stadium in 2025.

This is an opportunity to be a part of a great team building something meaningful for San Diego. We offer excellent benefits including health coverages with generous company contributions, over 40 days of paid time off, and a 4% company match on your 401(k). Soccer is humanity and together, we can make a meaningful impact both on and off the field, fostering a culture that embraces excellence and equal opportunities. SDFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We encourage all individuals who share our commitment to community and soccer to apply Soccer is humanity and together, we can make a meaningful impact both on and off the field, fostering a culture that embraces excellence and equal opportunities. SDFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.