Team Operations - Head of Academy Operations at Orlando City/Orlando Pride

Kissimmee, Florida, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

08 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Team Operations, Budget Management, Facility Coordination, Communication, Player Registration, Travel Logistics, Compliance, Interpersonal Skills, Project Management, Time Management, Organization, Written Communication, Verbal Communication, Microsoft Office Suite, Oracle Financial Suite, FIFA Regulations

Industry

Spectator Sports

Description

TITLE: Head of Academy Operations DEPARTMENT: Team Operations REPORTS TO: Sr. Director, Soccer Operations FLSA: Salary; Exempt WHAT SETS YOU APART The Head of Academy Operations will work closely with the Sr. Director, Soccer Operations & Academy Director in performing a variety of tasks supporting the overall soccer structure of the club’s Academy. The Head of Academy Operations will provide dedicated support on a day-to-day basis from an academy operations perspective. This role will directly oversee the day-to-day administrative responsibilities, including daily operations, logistics, budget management, and facility coordination, while upholding the regulatory compliance of the youth academy. The ideal teammate will also include the management of the Academy admin team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Oversee all communication with the technical, medical, administrative, facilities, security, and groundskeeping staff of the club related to academy team scheduling, player registration, travel, and other academy-related movement. Support the Academy Director with all club communication related to MLS Next sporting & player protocols, including operations, administration & compliance processes. Collaborate with the Academy Director on all player-related transactions & registrations with MLS Next & U.S. Soccer. Manage and maintain payment schedules for all incoming/outgoing academy payments related to invoices, contractors, homestay, and other relevant transactions. Work closely with the Senior Director of Soccer Operations to ensure close collaboration between business matters and team operations. Assist the Sr. Director, Soccer Operations, with the immigration process on all academy staff visas with the support of the club’s immigration attorney. Oversee the academy administration team’s management of travel requirements for all road games, including flights, ground transportation, hotel logistics, team meals, etc., to ensure travel processes and protocols are clearly defined and established. Work with the club’s Compliance & Welfare Manager to ensure protocols and processes related to SafeGuarding and minor compliance are communicated and strictly adhered to in-market & during team travel. Promote and safeguard the well-being of children and young athletes within the Academy. Build and manage the academy operations financial budget alongside the Sr. Director, Soccer Operations. Directly manage the Academy Administrative staff. Maintain a high level of communication with the team, leadership, parents, and players. All other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS It’s never just a job at Orlando City SC. It’s a way of life. We live and breathe soccer. We believe each role is as unique as the person who does it. To join our team, you will also possess these qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Minimum (4-5) years of experience managing team operations and player care in collegiate or professional men's soccer. Emphasis on experience in MLS Next academy operations. Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese preferred, but not required. Proficient in the use of the entire Microsoft Office Suite. Proficient in the use of the Oracle Financial suite and Concur Expense software. Proficient in the use of the FIFA TMS platform. Proficient in the use of the Teamworks platform related to scheduling & communication Extensive knowledge of the MLS NEXT Academy Policies and Procedures preferred. Extensive knowledge of all FIFA player regulations, MLS NEXT roster rules and regulations, and Club rules and regulations. Extensive knowledge of immigration processes and rules Desirable characteristics include excellent interpersonal skills, self-motivation, teamwork, independent judgment, organization, written and verbal communication, time management, project management, and presentation skills. Well-organized and can handle multiple tasks or projects at one time, prioritizing urgency, and meeting all assigned deadlines. The ability to pass a background screening. The ability to attain and maintain Safesport certification. About Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride: In November 2013, Orlando City Soccer Club was awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, becoming the league’s 21st franchise. The team began play in March 2015, with 62,510 fans packing the then-Orlando Citrus Bowl for the Club’s MLS debut. The Lions have reached the postseason in five-consecutive seasons (2020-24), qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly Concacaf Champions League) in both 2023 and 2024, and reached their first final in 2020 during the MLS is Back Tournament. In 2022, Orlando City won its first championship of its MLS era, lifting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy, which also marked the first championship by any professional team in the City Beautiful. Prior to its time in MLS, Orlando City boasted a decorated history in the United Soccer League, winning the league’s championship in both the 2011 and 2013 seasons. In October 2015, the Orlando Pride was announced as the 10th team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), bringing professional women’s soccer to the state of Florida for the first time. The team began play in April 2016, setting a then-league single-game attendance record in its first-ever home game, with 23,403 fans witnessing the Club’s first win. The Pride feature a star-studded roster of domestic and international talent and, in 2024, brought the first professional major league title to the city of Orlando, with the Club winning the NWSL Championship. The season saw the Pride complete the double, winning both the Championship and the NWSL Shield as the best team in the regular season, capping off a historic campaign that set numerous league records. Former Orlando City defender Seb Hines serves as the team’s head coach, not only the first Black head coach in the league, but also the first to win both the Championship and the NWSL Shield, and the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year. In 2017, both teams moved into its privately-owned, soccer-specific venue – Inter&Co Stadium – located in the heart of downtown Orlando. In July 2021, the Club – which includes Orlando City SC, the Orlando Pride, Orlando City B (MLS NEXT Pro) and Inter&Co Stadium – was purchased by the Wilf Family, who also own the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. For more information on Orlando City SC and Orlando, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or Orlando-Pride.com. 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. Orlando City and Orlando Pride will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the job application or interview process and perform critical job functions. Please contact the People and Culture department at Peopleandculture@orlandocitysc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Responsibilities

The Head of Academy Operations will oversee daily administrative responsibilities, including operations, logistics, budget management, and facility coordination. This role also involves managing communication with various staff and ensuring compliance with academy regulations.