What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Refereeing Strategy & Operations position at U.S. Soccer Federation?
U.S. Soccer Overview
The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.
We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That’s why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots, to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of US.
U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitions plans for US soccer in the near and far future. We are therefore, looking for dynamic servant-leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.
Position Description
The Director of Refereeing Strategy & Operations is a key strategic and operational leader responsible for driving the vision and execution of the referee growth strategy. This individual will collaborate closely with the Vice President of Refereeing, as well as stakeholders across Refereeing Education & Development, executive leadership, and the broader ecosystem, to advance key initiatives that support the development and enhancement of refereeing in the U.S.
An adept leader and relationship builder, the Director will bring a proven track record of scaling programs to achieve strategic objectives. Reporting to the Vice President of Refereeing, this individual will oversee the operations team, ensuring seamless execution of priorities and fostering a culture of excellence in Refereeing.
Primary Responsibilities
- Drive strategic vision and execution for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) Refereeing Department, serving as a key architect of its long-term success.
- Lead transformative strategic initiatives aimed at revolutionizing refereeing in the United States.
- Oversee budgetary planning and fiscal management, ensuring alignment between strategic technical plans and organizational financial parameters in collaboration with the VP of Refereeing.
- Strengthen partnerships by developing a high-performing operating model between USSF and key stakeholders within the refereeing ecosystem.
- Foster positive and productive relationships across members, affiliated organizations, and State Referee Committees to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
- Support external communications and serve as a representative for the Referee Department in key engagements.
- Develop and manage departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and drive continuous improvement.
- Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses to inform strategic decision-making and optimize the future state of refereeing.
- Demonstrate expert-level knowledge of all relevant U.S. Soccer and FIFA regulations and standards to ensure compliance and excellence.
- Oversee team responsible for the daily operations and execution, ensuring they deliver on both short-term and long-term objectives with precision and efficiency.
- Lead and support professional growth of team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- B.S./B.A. or master’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
- 7-10 years of experience working in a strategic role experience in operations a plus.
- Inspirational and empathetic leader with a demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage high performing teams.
- Strategic thinker adept at navigating complex ecosystems to drive collaborative goal achievement.
- Proven financial acumen, including experience managing P&L responsibilities.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills with a track record of developing innovative solutions.
- Strong influencing abilities, capable of effectively engaging and persuading key stakeholders and partners.
- Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, maintaining composure under pressure.
- Delivers high-quality outcomes while meeting tight deadlines with precision and efficiency.
- Holistic thinker who seamlessly connects intricate details to broader strategic objectives.
- Outstanding communicator, with superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Deep passion for soccer; prior experience as a fan or participant is a plus.
- Collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for refereeing, with a strong understanding of the referee landscape considered an advantage.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
- General knowledge of soccer.
- Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
- Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
- Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
U.S Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization.
We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.
