Individual Development Lead

New York City FC; Orangeburg (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Commuter benefits

Wellbeing programs

Tickets to NYCFC matches

Team events

Job summary

New York City FC is seeking an Individual Development Lead to oversee the Academy's development program across all age groups. The role designs, implements and monitors Individual Development Plans and provides enhanced support for top talents through coaching, mentoring and collaboration.

You will coordinate with coaching, performance, medical, psychology and education teams to ensure aligned development. Expect to manage IDP records, KPIs and carry out regular reviews with the Academy Director.

Qualifications

• UEFA A License (or equivalent US Soccer license)
• Extensive experience in an elite academy/high-performance football environment
• Proven ability designing and leading individual player development programs
• Strong understanding of long-term player development
• Experience working in multidisciplinary environments
• Strong planning, organizational and communication skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Responsibilities

• Lead the Academy's Individual Development Program across all age groups.
• Design, implement and refine the IDP framework.
• Ensure each player has an IDP aligned to the Academy Game Model.
• Identify learning priorities through observation, training and match analysis.
• Create objectives and action plans for players through the season.
• Coordinate interventions across departments for consistent development.
• Lead the High Potential Player Program and ensure targeted support.
• Provide regular mentoring and career guidance to players.
• Deliver on-field coaching sessions and small-group development clinics.
• Manage video analysis sessions and feedback.
• Maintain IDP records and lead multidisciplinary reviews.
• Monitor progress against KPIs and report to leadership.

Skills

Player development

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Coaching leadership

IDP design

Planning & organization

Education

UEFA A License (or US equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB TITLE: Individual Development Lead

REPORTING TO: Academy Director

DEPARTMENT: Academy

LOCATION: CFA New York (Orangeburg, NY) & St. John’s University (Queens, NY)

Position Overview

New York City FC is seeking an Individual Development Lead. This role will lead and coordinate the Academy's individual player development program, ensuring every player receives a structured, intentional and aligned development experience. The role is responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring Individual Development Plans (IDPs), whilst providing enhanced support for the Academy's highest potential players through targeted coaching, mentoring and multidisciplinary collaboration.

What You’ll Do

Individual Player Development

• Lead the Academy Individual Development Program across all age groups.
• Design, implement and continually refine the Academy IDP framework.
• Ensure every Academy player has an Individual Development Plan aligned to the Academy Game Model and Methodology.
• Identify individual learning priorities through observation, training and match analysis.
• Create clear objectives and action plans for players throughout the season.
• Ensure development is intentional, measurable and aligned across departments.

High Potential Player Program

• Lead the Academy High Potential Player Program.
• Prioritize enhanced support for the Academy's highest projected players.
• Coordinate additional technical, tactical and position-specific interventions.
• Provide regular one-to-one mentoring and career guidance.
• Monitor player trajectory and recommend progression opportunities.
• Liaise with player families, and other pertinent stakeholders, to ensure alignment between the player and the club

Coaching & Player Interventions

• Deliver on-field individual coaching sessions.
• Lead individual and small-group technical development clinics.
• Deliver video analysis sessions and feedback.
• Support coaches in embedding individual objectives into team practice.
• Ensure interventions complement team training.

Mentoring & Evaluation

• Maintain accurate player development records and IDPs.
• Lead regular multidisciplinary player reviews.
• Monitor progress against agreed KPIs.
• Provide reports and recommendations to the Academy Director and Academy Technical Director.
• Support retain/release and pathway decisions.

Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Coordinate collaboration between coaching, performance, medical, psychology, education and player care.
• Ensure accountability for agreed player action plans.
• Maintain regular communication with players and families regarding development where appropriate.
• Drive consistency of individual development throughout the Academy.

General Responsibilities

• Attend Academy training, matches and tournaments as required.
• Contribute to Academy leadership meetings.
• Remain current with best practice in elite player development.
• Maintain strong links with City Football Group and relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake any additional duties as directed by the Academy Director.

Who You Are

At New York FC, we are committed to upholding our core club values and our values guide how we show up and work together every day. If you share our values listed below, please consider NYCFC as a great place for you to work (and play):

Acts Honorably: listens and communicates respectfully, without judgement

Engages Collaboratively: provides and seeks constructive feedback to and from peers, proactively sharing appreciation for quality contributions of others

Champions Inclusion: celebrates the value of differences recognizing the value in the unique backgrounds and lived experiences of every team member

Drives Forward: embraces new opportunities with curiosity and a focus on improvement and innovation

Shows Heart: demonstrates passion for the Club and sport, operating as an NYCFC ambassador in encouraging and inspiring that passion in others

What You’ll Bring

Essential Requirements

• UEFA A License (or equivalent US Soccer license)
• Extensive experience within an elite academy or high-performance football environment.
• Demonstrable experience designing and leading individual player development programs.
• Excellent understanding of long-term player development.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong planning, organizational and communication skills.
• Valid driver's license
• Knowledge of Microsoft office; PowerPoint, Word, and Excel

Personal Characteristics

• Player-centered and development focused.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• High standards with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Innovative, proactive and committed to continuous improvement.
• Able to influence and challenge positively.

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must be able to comply with MLS Next Safety and Well-Being policy and any other applicable child safety policies provided to applicants by NYCFC
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary

Compensation

This exempt position has an estimated annual base salary range of $65,000-$70,000 and is not overtime eligible. Final compensation offer amounts are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to demonstrated skill set, years and depth of relevant experience, and some role-dependent factors such as certifications and software expertise. We welcome direct conversations with each candidate about compensation in all of our initial calls.

What We Offer

• Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you and your family’s needs
• Comprehensive and competitive benefit programs, including maternal & paternal leave
• Ancillary benefits: Commuter, and Citi Bike discounts
• Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing through in-office and virtual programs
• Four complementary tickets to every NYCFC home match
• Team outings, happy hours, and annual staff gatherings to celebrate our co-workers
• A dynamic, ambitious, and fun work environment

The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. NYCFC will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

At New York City FC, we are on a mission to build this city into one of the soccer capitals of the world. The Club was announced as Major League Soccer’s 20th franchise and is the first and only MLS team located within the five boroughs of New York City. The Club has qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs nine times over the past 10 seasons, winning MLS Cup in 2021. Games are available to stream via an Apple TV subscription, providing every match of the MLS regular season, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, and more all in one place and with no blackouts. New York City FC is building New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, which is set to open in 2027. For more information, please visit: www.newyorkcityfc.com.

New York City FC is also one of 12 clubs comprising City Football Group and counts Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama F-Marinos, Girona FC, Montevideo City Torque, Shenzhen Peng City FC, Lommel SK, ESTAC Troyes, Palermo FC, Bahia, and Club Bolívar among its sister clubs.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.