Chief of Staff

Columbus Crew; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Crew is seeking a highly organized Chief of Staff to support the President of Soccer across Haslam Sports Group properties, including the Columbus Crew, NWSL expansion planning, and development pathways. The role coordinates strategic planning, executive communications, and day-to-day priorities to ensure club objectives are met.

The position focuses on launching the NWSL expansion club by 2028, recruiting senior leadership, facility readiness, and league coordination, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in professional soccer or the sports industry.
• Demonstrated success supporting senior executives, leading cross-functional projects, and executing strategic initiatives.
• Strong organizational, project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Skilled with software, including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and familiar with AI tools, including Claude and ChatGPT.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and influence stakeholders across departments.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the President of Soccer to develop, implement, and monitor strategic objectives across all soccer properties.
• Facilitate annual and multi-year strategic planning processes across both clubs.
• Conduct research and analysis on industry trends and benchmarks to support executive decision-making.
• Establish organizational OKRs, KPIs, and reporting frameworks.
• Coordinate quarterly sporting reviews and strategic planning sessions.
• Prepare executive presentations and strategic reports with the President.
• Oversee implementation of AI to improve workplace efficiency.
• Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Executive support

Cross-functional coordination

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT)

Job description

Position Summary

Haslam Sports Group is seeking a highly organized, strategic, and execution-oriented Chief of Staff to support the President of Soccer across all HSG soccer properties, including the Columbus Crew, HSG's NWSL Expansion Team, Academy and Development Pathways, and broader global soccer initiatives. The Chief of Staff will serve as a trusted partner to the President of Soccer, helping execute the organization's operational and strategic plans, coordinate key initiatives across both clubs, and oversee day-to-day priorities across the soccer portfolio to ensure the achievement of club objectives. This individual will act as a central point of coordination between the technical, operational, and administrative functions of both clubs. He or she will also help liaise with business-side functions to ensure organizational alignment, communication, and execution across the broader HSG organization, including ownership and HSG executives. A primary focus during the first 18-24 months of the role will be supporting the launch of HSG's NWSL expansion club ahead of its inaugural season in 2028. This will include helping coordinate major milestones such as the recruitment of senior NWSL leadership; supporting the President and General Manager in the hiring of technical and operational staff; opening a new training facility; player acquisition planning; league office coordination; and overall organizational readiness efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Assist the President of Soccer to develop, implement, and monitor strategic objectives across all soccer properties.
• Facilitate annual and multi-year strategic planning processes across both clubs.
• Conduct research and analysis on industry trends, competitive benchmarks, and best practices to support executive decision-making and strategic planning.
• Establish organizational OKRs, KPIs, and reporting frameworks.
• Track progress against strategic priorities and ensure accountability across departments.
• Coordinate quarterly sporting reviews and strategic planning sessions.
• Prepare executive presentations, ownership materials, board presentations, and strategic reports with the President
• Oversee the implementation of AI to improve workplace efficiency.
• Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Chief Of Staff Responsibilities

• Drive alignment across technical, performance, academy, operations, administrative, and coordinate with business functions to support organizational effectiveness and execution of strategic priorities.
• Manage priorities, meetings, action items, key events, and follow-up processes for the President of Soccer.
• Review department budgetary goals with the finance dept and review expense requests, including those tied to strategy and operational goals.
• Coordinate weekly communication, planning, and alignment across the leadership teams of the Columbus Crew and NWSL club.
• Ensure decisions, priorities, and action items are documented, communicated, and executed effectively across the organization.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and executive summaries for ownership meetings, HSG executive meetings, league meetings, and external engagements.
• Support organizational planning processes and leadership meeting cadence across all soccer properties.
• Coordinate logistics, executive travel, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional projects on behalf of the President of Soccer and senior leadership team.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the President of Soccer on organizational matters, strategic initiatives, and executive decision-making.
• Serve as a key liaison with MLS, NWSL, U.S. Soccer, and other soccer stakeholders. Prepare briefing materials, reports, and recommendations related to league meetings, committees, and industry developments.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, and recommendations related to league meetings and industry developments.

NWSL Expansion Team Launch

• Support the President of Soccer, President of Business Ops and club leadership in the successful launch of HSG's NWSL expansion club, including organizational planning, executive hiring, and operational readiness.
• Coordinate key expansion initiatives, timelines, league requirements, and cross-functional projects to ensure successful execution of launch objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in professional soccer or the sports industry.
• Demonstrated success supporting senior executives, leading cross-functional projects, and executing strategic initiatives.
• Strong organizational, project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Skilled with software, including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and familiar with AI tools, including Claude and ChatGPT.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and influence stakeholders across departments.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred

• Experience within MLS, NWSL, U.S. Soccer, FIFA, CONCACAF, or other professional sports organizations.
• Experience supporting club launches, expansion projects, or major organizational initiatives.
• Experience in women's sports through playing, coaching, administration, league operations, club management, or related leadership roles.
• Previous experience in a Chief of Staff, Strategy, Operations, Consulting, or Executive Leadership support role.
• Familiarity with professional soccer operations, player recruitment, and roster construction.
• Strong understanding of the North American men's, women's, and global soccer landscape.