Director of Methodology

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Summer camps compensated separately

Job summary

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is seeking a Director of Methodology to lead the RDA methodology, game model, coach development and technical quality across all ages, genders, and locations. Reports to the Executive Director and provides technical direction to program leaders and coaches within the approved methodology.

The role covers curriculum development, staff coordination, and rigorous coaching standards, with travel to satellites and partner sites as needed.

Qualifications

• USSF A License or B with plan to complete A within two years.
• Five+ years of competitive youth coaching at ECNL/MLS NEXT or equivalent.
• Experience educating coaches and implementing a club-wide methodology.
• Experience with video analysis and player development data.
• Formal coach educator credentials are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical design and quality of all RDA on-field programming.
• Develop, document and implement the RDA methodology and game model.
• Review curricula and update annually for Executive Director approval.
• Set objectives and conduct site visits and reviews of coaching behavior.
• Define staffing and resource needs; ensure staff before launch.
• Establish KPIs and report on development across programs.
• Create parent education materials and communicate with families.
• Collaborate with Riverhounds and Riveters staff to align pathways.
• Lead RDA summer camps and participate in additional programming.
• Represent the club professionally at events and tryouts.

Skills

USSF A License

Youth coaching

Video analysis

Coaching education

Curriculum design

Tools

Video analysis software

Job description

About Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Founded in 1999, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is Pennsylvania's oldest professional soccer team and an original member of the USL Championship. The club plays at its team-owned, soccer-specific F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh's South Shore neighborhood.

About Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Founded in 1999, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is Pennsylvania's oldest professional soccer team and an original member of the USL Championship. The club plays at its team-owned, soccer-specific F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh's South Shore neighborhood.

The Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) serves more than 3,000 players through AHN Montour Sports Complex in Coraopolis and satellite locations throughout western Pennsylvania.

Position Summary & Reporting

The Director of Methodology leads the RDA methodology, game model, coach development and technical quality of all on-field programming across all ages, genders, competitive levels and locations. The scope includes all programming delivered by or on behalf of the RDA.

The Director reports to the Executive Director, who conducts the annual review and approves the methodology and game model. The Director provides technical direction to team directors, program leaders, satellite directors, partner staff and coaches within the approved methodology.

Responsibilities

Methodology Oversight

• Oversee the technical design, coaching standards, implementation and quality of all RDA on-field programming across all locations, including teams, training programs (Grassroots, Technical Training Academy, Goalkeeper Academy, Speed & Strength), camps, private & small group training and partners.
• Develop, document and implement the RDA methodology and game model, including age-appropriate curricula, session plans, seasonal periodization, coaching principles and terminology adapted to participants' abilities and program objectives.
• Review and approve program curricula and delivery plans; update the methodology annually with input from program and site leaders for Executive Director approval.
• Establish development objectives and delivery standards for each program. Conduct regular site visits, session observations and matchday reviews to assess coaching behavior, player feedback and application of the game model. Use coach feedback and player evaluations to assess outcomes and follow through on corrective actions.
• Define technical staffing and resource needs with program leaders and Operations, who execute coaching assignments, scheduling, field allocation and equipment logistics. Ensure new programs, satellites and partnerships have technical plans and trained staff before launch.
• Establish measurable technical KPIs with the Executive Director and report regularly on methodology implementation, coaching quality and player development across all programs and locations.
• Develop parent education materials and support program leaders in explaining the methodology, development expectations and player evaluation process to families.

Coach Development & Education

• Deliver coach education through in-service sessions, workshops, on-field mentoring, model sessions and video review. Maintain an accessible central library of curricula, session plans, model sessions and video examples.
• Run coach evaluations, feedback and individual development plans; support program and site leaders in addressing performance concerns.
• Support coach recruitment, onboarding and induction, including methodology training for seasonal, part-time, satellite and partner staff.
• Maintain licensing standards by role, age group and program; support licensing progression and manage the coach education budget and licensing reimbursements within Executive Director limits.

Video & Data Leadership

• Position RDA as a leader in video analysis and player development data by integrating both into coaching, player evaluation and methodology review.
• Set standards for recording, analyzing and reviewing training and matches according to age, program purpose and available resources. Train coaches to apply video and data, with detailed analysis in elite teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies with the Executive Director and recommend tools that improve player development and coaching effectiveness.

Player Development & Pathway

• Establish age- and phase-specific evaluation standards and developmental benchmarks from entry programming through elite competition.
• Standardize player Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and development reporting across academy teams. Train coaches to complete and regularly review IDPs, audit implementation and oversee tracking of player progress across teams and locations using evaluations, video and data.
• Collaborate with Riverhounds, Riverhounds II and Riveters technical staff to align methodology, player profiles and readiness standards across the boys' and girls' professional pathways.

Club Responsibilities & Compliance

• Coach RDA teams as needed and assigned by the Executive Director.
• Lead at least one RDA summer camp annually, compensated separately from base salary.
• Participate in technical, small group and private training as needed. Additional programming beyond assigned duties is compensated separately.
• Provide technical input to Marketing on the development approach, coach education and pathway outcomes.
• Represent the club professionally at events, tryouts and community activities and within regional and national soccer networks. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• USSF A License, or USSF B License with a commitment to complete the A License within two years. Equivalent international licenses considered.
• At least five years of competitive youth coaching experience at ECNL, MLS NEXT, Academy or an equivalent level.
• Demonstrated experience educating and mentoring coaches, implementing a club-wide methodology, curriculum or game model and adapting content for different ages, abilities and programs.
• Practical experience using video analysis and player development data to improve coaching and player evaluation.
• Formal coach educator credentials, federation or league education involvement and oversight of multiple locations or partner programs preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication with players, coaches, families and partners; ability to manage multiple programs, locations and priorities, work independently and collaborate across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn video analysis, team management, scheduling and reporting platforms.

Employment, Travel & Physical Requirements

• Full-time, exempt, in-person position based at AHN Montour Sports Complex in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
• Regular evening and weekend work, including training, matches, tournaments, camps and training programs. Regular travel to satellites, partner sites, fields, meetings and community events; valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Work in active indoor and outdoor sports environments in varying weather; ability to stand, walk and demonstrate for extended periods and assist with equipment setup and breakdown.
• Required background checks and clearances include Pennsylvania child abuse and criminal history clearances, FBI fingerprinting where applicable and SafeSport certification.

Performance Measures

The Executive Director reviews performance annually against agreed technical KPIs, including:

• Methodology and program quality: Consistent delivery across all programs and locations, verified through observation and documented corrective follow-up.
• Coach development: Licensing progression, completion of coach development plans and improved on-field delivery.
• Player development and pathway: Progress against age-appropriate benchmarks and IDPs, supported by consistent reporting, video and data, and progression through the RDA pathway.

This description is not exhaustive and may be revised by management as circumstances change.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.