Director of Soccer

FirstPoint International; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave (21 days)

Job summary

FirstPoint USA is seeking a dynamic Director of Soccer - US to lead our US expansion and accelerate the pipeline of top-tier student-athletes. You will own relationships with families and colleges, driving growth across partnerships and events.

Reporting to the Director of Sport, you will identify, recruit, and manage US-based talents, working with MLS/USL clubs and universities to secure placements and scholarships.

Qualifications

• Significant playing or coaching background in soccer.
• Established network within the soccer industry (coaches, clubs, academies, schools).
• Understanding of the US college soccer pathway.

Responsibilities

• Business Development: Contribute to the growth of our US soccer business to achieve KPI targets.
• Client Acquisition: nurture relationships with prospective clients and families to convert leads into candidates.
• Athlete Evaluation and Signing: evaluate athletic and academic abilities and progress athletes from offer to signing.
• Partnership Development: identify and secure strategic partnerships within the US soccer network.
• Partnership Activation: maximize opportunities from partnerships with MLS/USL clubs and others.
• Events: support soccer showcases and trials enhancing candidate experience.
• Ambassadorial Duty: present at meetings/events as a FirstPoint USA ambassador.
• Performance Reporting: provide KPI-based insights to the Sports Team.
• Client Transition: ensure seamless transition with Talent Management teams.

Skills

Soccer expertise

Networking

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Drive & attitude

Job description

Are you an ambitious, well-connected soccer leader with the drive to scale a global sports brand? If you are a self-starter passionate about creating life-changing pathways for the next generation of soccer talent, this is your opportunity.

FirstPoint USA is a global leader in sports scouting and higher education recruitment. Trusted by over 2,000 US universities, we bridge the gap between elite student-athletes and prestigious collegiate scholarship opportunities. Soccer is the crown jewel of our global business-and we are ready to expand our American footprint.

The foundations for growth are already in place. We boast partnerships with top-tier MLS clubs-including the Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, and Charlotte FC-alongside an innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership with Brown University. Our track record speaks for itself: we regularly place elite talent at world-class institutions like Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, Penn State, and UCLA, working hand-in-hand with the country’s top coaches and programs.

Now, we are seeking a dynamic, energetic, and highly strategic Director of Soccer - US to spearhead our next chapter. This is a pivotal, high-impact leadership role where you will own our US expansion and accelerate our pipeline of top-tier student-athletes. If you are ready to lead from the front and redefine the US collegiate soccer landscape, we want to hear from you.

Reporting to the Director of Sport, your primary objective will be to identify, recruit, and manage relationships with aspiring soccer players and their families in the US, leading them through the process of securing a college soccer placement.

• Business Development: Contribute to the development and growth of our US soccer business to achieve ambitious KPI targets.
• Client Acquisition: Proactively manage and nurture relationships with prospective clients and their families, converting leads generated through events, digital marketing and strategic partnerships into successful candidates.
• Athlete Evaluation and Signing: Evaluate the athletic and academic abilities of prospective student-athletes through interviews and ongoing engagement, analysing playing and academic levels, progressing athletes from contract offer to signing.
• Partnership Development: Identify and secure strategic partnerships with organisations and individuals within the US soccer network, including professional and amateur clubs, academies, and schools, to generate a consistent flow of high-quality candidates.
• Partnership Activation: Maximise the opportunities created by existing partnerships, strengthening relationships with MLS and USL clubs, supporting club staff, presenting to players and families, and building a pipeline of prospective candidates.
• Events: Support the team to deliver soccer showcase and trial events, enhancing the event experience for candidates and their families through your own insights and college soccer experience.
• Ambassadorial Duty: Deliver compelling presentations at 1:1 meetings, events and partner organisations, acting as an ambassador for FirstPoint USA to raise awareness of our brand, and the unique opportunities the college soccer offers.
• Performance Reporting: Provide regular, insightful reporting on performance metrics and KPIs to the Sports Team, highlighting successes, opportunities, and challenges for continued optimisation.
• Client Transition: Collaborate closely with our Talent Management teams to ensure a seamless transition for all student-athlete clients.

The Candidate

You will have an authentic passion for college soccer and an affinity with talented young players, bringing a commercial focus and a proven ability to build and maintain high-value relationships.

• Soccer Expertise: Significant playing or coaching background in soccer, with a strong understanding of the US college soccer pathway.
• Networking: An established, active network within the soccer industry (e.g., coaches, clubs, academies, schools).
• Experience: with or knowledge of the US collegiate soccer system is desirable.
• Commercial Acumen: A proven track record in relationship building, collaboration, and ideally, experience in business development environment.
• Communication Skills: A strong communicator, confident in presenting and building rapport with young athletes, parents, coaches and partners.
• Organisational Skills: High attention to detail, excellent planning capabilities, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, always-on environment.
• Drive & Attitude: Confident, positive, proactive, and passionate about improving the lives of young people through sport and education.

The Package

We believe in investing in our team's success and personal development:

• $85,000 - $110,000 OTE
• 21 days annual leave including bank / public holidays

The Location

Based within the United States