Soccer Stars General Manager

Pro Soccer Kids, LLC; Buffalo Grove, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance after probationary

Paid time off – 10 business days

Retirement planning (company matched)

Family member discounts 50%

Job summary

Soccer Stars, based in Buffalo Grove, IL, seeks a General Manager to lead strategic growth, operations, and partner relationships across the region. The role drives enrollment, revenue, and exceptional program delivery for children and families.

You will manage coaching staff, coordinate across locations, and collaborate with marketing to expand community outreach while upholding safety and quality standards of all Soccer Stars programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Sports Management, Education, Hospitality, Recreation, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in sales, business development and revenue growth.
• 1-3 years of experience in operations management in a service-based organization.
• Experience working with schools, childcare centers, community organizations, or youth programs preferred.
• Soccer or sports background preferred but not mandatory.
• Personal vehicle for transportation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure partnerships with preschools, daycare centers, elementary schools, parks and recreation departments, community centers, and sports facilities to drive revenue growth and business expansion.
• Establish revenue and enrollment targets and develop action plans to achieve them.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase enrollment in classes, camps, clinics, and seasonal programs.
• Negotiate and manage partnership agreements and facility contracts.
• Oversee program logistics, including class schedules, facility coordination, equipment management, and operational readiness.
• Lead daily operations and administrative functions across multiple locations within the territory.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate coaching staff to ensure high-quality delivery of the Soccer Stars curriculum.
• Collaborate with marketing to execute promotions, referrals, and offers that support enrollment growth.
• Provide on-field coaching support when needed to maintain program quality.

Skills

Sales

Business development

Leadership

Operations management

Customer service

Communication

Team management

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Sports Management, Education, Hospitality, Recreation, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Job description

About Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars isthe nation's leadingyouth soccer coachingprogram which teachesfundamental soccerskills to children in afun, non-competitive, and safe environment. The soccer ballis used asa vehicle todevelop life skillsand support achild's physical, mental, social, and emotionalgrowth. For over 20 years, Soccer Stars has been coaching children ages 12 months and older, positively impacting more than one million children across the country through the sport of soccer.

Soccer Stars offersinnovative, age-specific, and skill-basedprograms developed byearly childhood professionalsand youth soccerexperts. Our coachesare passionate aboutinspiring children tobuild self-confidence, foster teamwork, enhancegross motor skills, develop socialskills, and improvephysical literacy—allwhile having fun.

Soccer Stars is based in Buffalo Grove and serves families throughout Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Northbrook, Deerfield, Glenview and surrounding communities.

General Manager Role

The General Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing all aspects of the Soccer Stars business, including business development, operations, sales and marketing, customer experience, and partner relationships. This role leads day-to-day operations, ensures the delivery of high-quality programs, drives business growth, and fosters a culture of operational excellence to deliver an exceptional experience for children, families, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development

• Identify and securenew partnerships withpreschools, daycare centers, elementaryschools, parks andrecreation departments,community centers, andsports facilities to drive revenue growth and business expansion.
• Establish revenue and enrollment targets and develop action plans to achieve them.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase enrollment in classes, camps, clinics, and seasonal programs
• Identify opportunities to generate revenue through new programs, birthday parties, private lessons, camps, and special events.
• Negotiate and manage partnership agreements and facility contracts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with schools, childcare providers, community organizations, and facility partners to support long-term growth.
• Analyze operational performance, enrollment metrics, revenue reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Represent Soccer Stars at community events, school fairs, festivals, and networking events to increase brand awareness and generate new business opportunities.

2.Operational Excellence

• Lead daily operations and administrative functions across multiple locations within the territory.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate coaching staff to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of the Soccer Stars curriculum.
• Manage coach schedules, staffing levels, and resource allocation to ensure smooth program execution and maximize operational efficiency.
• Oversee program logistics, including class schedules, facility coordination, equipment management, and operational readiness.
• Monitor program quality and conduct regular evaluations to ensure consistency across all locations.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to execute promotional campaigns, referral programs, and special offers that support enrollment growth.
• Provide on-field coaching support when needed to maintain program quality, support team development or mitigate last min cancellations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and the overall customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, risk management procedures, and local regulations.

3.Customer Experience

• Maintain the highest standards of program quality, safety, and customer service to maximize customer satisfaction and retention.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with school administrators, childcare center directors, camp directors, partner facilities, and community leaders.
• Uphold Soccer Stars’ customer service promise with fast and friendly communication, and keep customers informed with latest updates (rescheduling, cancellations) in a professional way.
• Manage customer inquiries, resolve concerns promptly, and ensure an exceptional experience for children, families, and partners.
• Go-to person for coaches with regular check-ins to encourage growth, share feedback and celebrate wins.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Sports Management, Education, Hospitality, Recreation, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in sales, business development and revenue growth.
• 1-3 years of experience in operations management in a service-based organization.
• Experience working with schools, childcare centers, community organizations, or youth programs is preferred.
• Soccer or sports background is preferred but not mandatory.
• Personal vehicle for transportation

Key Skills

• Strong sales and business development skills
• Client relationship skills with a customer-focused mindset
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Operational management & organizational skills
• Time management with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Passionate for working with children
• Energetic, fun-loving, friendly, outgoing personality
• Self-motivated with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to wear multiple hats with a roll-up-your sleeves attitude
• Proficient in Microsoft or Google suite

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Offer contingent on successful completion of background check
• Performance based incentive program, additional to base pay
• Initial3-month probationary periodduring which performance, leadership capabilities, operational effectiveness, and overall role alignment will be evaluated.
• Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the employee will be confirmed in the role based on performance and achievement of agreed-upon objectives.
• Company matched retirement planning
• Health insurance after probationary period
• Paid time off – 10 business days every calendar year
• Family members can join Soccer Stars at 50% discount