Team Operations - Head of Academy Operations

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.