Head Coach

Department: Carolina Core FC, Sporting

Location: High Point, NC

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: CEO, Carolina Core Ventures, in collaboration with Technical Leadership

Who We Are

Carolina Core FC is building something different.

Representing one of the fastest-growing regions in North Carolina, Carolina Core FC was founded with a vision to develop people, strengthen communities, and compete at the highest levels of the game. As a member of MLS NEXT Pro, we are committed to creating an environment where players, coaches, and staff are challenged to reach their potential while helping establish a lasting soccer culture throughout the Carolina Core.

Our mission is to develop people to rise to their potential and compete with a championship mindset while creating exceptional experiences that strengthen our community.

Our Values Guide Everything We Do

• Development – We transform potential into champions.
• Collaboration – We win together.
• Accountability & High Standards – We own it and raise the bar.
• Community – We represent and strengthen the Core.
• Bold Ambition – We think boldly and act bravely.
  
  

As one of the youngest professional clubs in North America, we are not interested in simply following established models. We are building a club designed for long-term success through player development, strong culture, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a club.

The Head Coach will lead the first-team sporting operation while helping establish the competitive identity, standards, and culture that define Carolina Core FC. The successful candidate will work closely with ownership, technical leadership, performance staff, and club executives to create an environment where players and staff perform at their highest level.

We are seeking a leader who embraces challenge, values development as much as results, and believes sustainable success is built through culture, alignment, innovation, and disciplined execution.

Beyond leading the first team, the Head Coach will play a key role in strengthening the club's player development ecosystem by supporting pathways from youth soccer to the professional game, collaborating with regional partners, and helping identify opportunities to develop talent throughout the Carolina Core.

This role is for a builder, a developer, and a competitor—someone excited by the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on a growing club and region.

Position Summary

The Head Coach is responsible for leading all first-team sporting functions while advancing the club's competitive, developmental, and organizational objectives.

The Head Coach will establish and maintain a high-performance environment for players and staff, implement the club's game model and playing philosophy, oversee player development, support roster planning and recruitment, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Success in this role will be measured through competitive performance, player development, staff leadership, culture building, roster management, and alignment with the club's long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities

Sporting Leadership

• Lead all first-team sporting operations, including training, match preparation, performance management, and implementation of the club's playing identity.
• Establish clear standards, expectations, and accountability throughout the sporting department while fostering a high-performance environment that promotes excellence, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with technical leadership, performance staff, medical staff, and club leadership to ensure alignment across all areas of the sporting operation.
  
  

Player Development

• Create an environment that accelerates player growth across technical, tactical, physical, mental, and professional dimensions.
• Oversee the execution of Individual Development Plans and work collaboratively with technical and performance staff to maximize player potential and progression opportunities.
• Support the club's commitment to building meaningful player pathways by identifying, developing, and promoting talent throughout the organization and broader regional ecosystem.
  
  

Team Performance & Culture

• Prepare the team to compete consistently at a high level through effective coaching, tactical planning, match management, and performance evaluation.
• Build and sustain a culture that reflects the club's values while promoting leadership, accountability, resilience, trust, and competitive excellence.
• Develop leaders within the team and create an environment where players are challenged to grow both on and off the field.
  
  

Roster Construction & Talent Identification

• Partner with technical leadership on roster planning, player evaluation, recruitment, retention, and succession planning.
• Provide meaningful input on player acquisition decisions while helping identify opportunities to strengthen the club's talent pipeline through academy, collegiate, professional, and regional relationships.
• Contribute to the long-term development of a sustainable player pathway that supports both competitive success and player progression.
  
  

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Carolina Core FC and represent the club with professionalism across league, community, media, and partner engagements.
• Build strong relationships throughout the organization and contribute to strategic discussions that support the club's long-term vision, culture, and growth.
• Maintain compliance with all league, federation, and club policies while helping position the organization for sustained success.
  
  

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Head Coach will be evaluated across five core pillars:

• Competitive Performance
• Player Development
• Culture & Leadership
• Staff Leadership
• Organizational Alignment
  
  

Qualifications

• Professional coaching experience required; head coaching experience at the professional level preferred.
• USSF Pro License (or equivalent) required, or active enrollment in the appropriate licensing pathway consistent with MLS NEXT Pro regulations.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performance teams and developing players in a professional, academy, or elite competitive environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to build culture, develop staff, and align diverse stakeholders around shared objectives.
• Experience collaborating within a multidisciplinary sporting environment, including technical, performance, medical, and recruitment functions.
• Passion for player development and building long-term talent pathways.
  
  

WHY JOIN CAROLINA CORE FC?

At Carolina Core FC, development is more than a philosophy—it is how we build our club.

You will join an ambitious organization committed to developing players, coaches, and staff while helping shape the future of professional soccer in the Carolina Core.

This is an opportunity to build, lead, and compete in an environment that values innovation, accountability, collaboration, and bold ambition.

If you are energized by developing people, building culture, creating pathways, and competing at a high level, we invite you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Carolina Core FC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.