Director of Program Delivery – Soccer Forward

Soccer Forward Inc; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Soccer Forward Inc. seeks a Director of Program Delivery to lead our national and local program operations, guiding Program Leads and ensuring consistent, high‑quality youth development initiatives across markets.

This role drives alignment with Soccer Forward’s mission and works across Strategy, Engagement, Services, and Coaching Education to maximize impact. You will represent Soccer Forward at conferences, build relationships with schools and community partners, and travel regularly to

Qualifications

• Significant experience in program management and youth development.
• Excellent people management and coaching skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Willingness to travel regularly (monthly).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data‑driven reporting.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage and develop the Program Leads across Soccer Forward initiatives.
• Oversee national and local program operations and ensure high‑quality delivery.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Engagement, Services, Coaching Education, and Pathways teams.
• Represent Soccer Forward at major conferences and events as a speaker or panelist.
• Facilitate workshops and build strong school and community partnerships; monitor outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Travel readiness

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision‑making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Soccer Forward Overview

Soccer Forward is U.S. Soccer’s social impact and legacy initiative, created to harness the power of soccer to improve lives and strengthen communities across the country. Launched in the lead‑up to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, Soccer Forward is focused on ensuring the impact of this moment extends well beyond the tournament by creating greater access and opportunity to experience, play and participate in the game.

Through programs, partnerships and community‑based activations, Soccer Forward brings together organizations from across the soccer ecosystem, U.S. Soccer partners and donors, and national and local community organizations to create meaningful and lasting impact. By connecting U.S. Soccer’s reach and resources with organizations already doing important work in communities, Soccer Forward helps expand access to the game, strengthen the people and places that make soccer possible, and use the sport as a vehicle for positive change.

The Soccer Forward team develops and delivers thoughtful social impact strategies, programs and events that bring Soccer Forward’s priorities to life in communities across the country. Through community‑based activations, key U.S. Soccer moments and partner‑supported events, the team creates meaningful opportunities to expand access to the game, increase participation and strengthen communities. The team works closely with U.S. Soccer’s sponsors, media partners and donors to integrate their priorities into this work in authentic and impactful ways, while building and managing relationships with community organizations, U.S. Soccer members and other key stakeholders across the soccer ecosystem.

Position Description

The Director of Program Delivery leads the team that turns Soccer Forward's programming into real experiences for young people, families, and communities. This new role will be responsible for managing and developing our growing team of Program Leads, overseeing our program operations at national and local levels across our program portfolio, and ultimately ensuring every program is delivered effectively, consistently, and in line with our principles and values. This includes overseeing the digital platforms and train‑the‑trainer delivery as well as local, in‑person programmatic delivery with partners.

The Director will also be responsible for aligning delivery with other key areas of the Federation whether that be Soccer Forward Strategic Engagement, Partnership and Activation, Soccer Services, Coaching Education, Pathways in Recreation and Club, Advancement and Commercial.

Beyond managing the team and operations, this person will be a visible, active practitioner: someone who can step in to lead a workshop on a key topic, build a genuine relationship with a new school or community partner, and represent Soccer Forward Foundation on stage at a major event as a keynote speaker, panelist, or presenter.

This role sits alongside the Director of Program Strategy and the Director of Program Design as one of three peer roles making up the Senior Leadership Programs Trio. Each Director owns specific, clearly defined deliverables, but the three are expected to work in flow with one another — sharing context, flexing into each other's areas when it serves the work, and holding joint accountability for the overall strength of Soccer Forward's programming.

All programs are interlinked and interdependent with other key areas of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s pathway strategy and player development strategy as well as the federation’s local model.

The Director will also be responsible for supporting and engaging with Soccer Forward’s VP of Strategic Engagement and Activation. This includes how Programs are delivered and showcased through key moments across the year such as community events, matchday activations, and sponsor and donor‑led engagements.

Finally, the Director will also be responsible for liaising with and supporting U.S. Soccer's local teams in cities and communities where Soccer Forward programming is delivered. This includes supporting Program Lead and local coordinator collaboration to deliver in local school districts, communities, parks and other ways U.S. Soccer is driving its generational ambition to make soccer accessible everywhere in the United States by 2032.

Primary Responsibilities

Team & People Leadership

• Directly manage, support and develop the Program Leads across Soccer at Schools, Soccer in Parks, and other initiatives as they're built.
• Work alongside Directors of Program Strategy and Design to stand up programs early ahead of bringing on relevant Program Lead for that initiative.
• Set clear goals and expectations for each Program Lead; provide regular feedback, coaching, and individual development plans that grow strong practitioners and project managers.
• Build a cohesive, high‑performing Delivery team culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and shared ownership of results.
• Enable a dynamic working environment that encourages collaboration and alignment across national and local teams.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and team structure decisions as the Delivery function grows into new markets and initiatives.

Program Delivery & Operations

• Own the operational execution of Soccer Forward initiatives at a national level, and across all active markets, ensuring Program Leads are resourced and supported to bring high‑quality initiatives to life, primarily through project management.
• Work with Strategic Engagement and Activation teams to bring to life current programming around key moments, match days and partner‑related events and milestones.
• Translate program strategy and design/quality standards into day‑to‑day execution plans that Program Leads can implement well.
• Track program implementation against timelines, budgets, and quality benchmarks; spot and resolve delivery risks early.
• Stay close to the field — visiting program sites, observing sessions, and gathering frontline feedback that sharpens delivery and informs the wider Trio's thinking.
• Align and integrate often with counterparts in Services, Coaching Education, and Pathways teams.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning

• Work with colleagues to coordinate output and outcome data collection.
• Set‑up and facilitate learning activities across the team to ensure what we learn informs what we do.
• Disseminate learnings and outcome data to relevant colleagues to support parallel functions including strategy, Advancement, Commercial, and Marketing and Communications

External Relationships & Representation

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, parks and recreation departments, community‑based organizations, and other stakeholders that make program delivery possible.
• Represent Soccer Forward at major conferences and events as a keynote speaker, panelist, or presenter on youth development and community soccer programming.
• Serve as a trusted, visible presence for Soccer Forward in program markets, strengthening the organization’s credibility and community ties.

Facilitation & Capacity Building

• Personally facilitate workshops and trainings for staff, coaches, and community partners on key programmatic topics – though this is not your primary role.
• Model strong facilitation and coaching practice for Program Leads, using these moments to build their skills as well.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work in flow with the Director of Program Strategy and Director of Program Design and Quality, sharing accountability for the Programs team’s overall success.
• Work with VP of Strategic Engagement and Activation to ensure Program deliver is aligned with all partnerships, activations and events.
• Flex into strategy or design/quality work when it serves the team, and welcome the same flexibility from Trio peers into Delivery.
• Bring delivery‑team insights and field intelligence back into strategy and design conversations.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Significant experience in program management, youth development, or a related field, including substantial experience directly managing and developing people.
• A track record as an excellent people manager — demonstrated success coaching direct reports into stronger performers and leaders.
• Strong working knowledge of Soccer for Good and/or Sports‑Based Youth Development (SBYD) frameworks and practice.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple markets, teams, and moving pieces without losing track of values or details.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven relationship‑builder with schools, youth sports clubs/teams/leagues, community‑based organizations, municipal or parks and recreation departments, or similar stakeholders.
• Confident, experienced public speaker and facilitator, comfortable leading workshops and representing an organization in keynote, panel, or presenter roles.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (approximately monthly), including to Atlanta, New York City, and other program markets. Travel will periodically include facilitating workshops, visiting program sites, and representing the organization at conferences and other events.
• Genuine passion for soccer, youth development, and expanding access and inclusion in and through the game.
• Capable of working in fast‑paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).

Desired Qualifications

• Experience managing a distributed or remote team operating across multiple markets.
• Direct experience within soccer or another sport‑based youth development organization.
• Spanish language proficiency or other multilingual skills relevant to community‑based work.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.