Youth League Lead

Arena Sports; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Arena Sports is seeking a Youth League Lead to support successful league operations across Magnuson and SODO facilities. You will serve as the main contact during league nights, help manage facilities, and coordinate referees and game officiating. This role requires strong leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills to ensure a positive experience for players and families. Evening and weekend hours are expected.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of youth sports or recreational programs a must; officiating knowledge is a plus.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coach, evaluate, and supervise staff or volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary League Point of Contact during assigned league nights.
• Support facility operations, front desk, and host staff.
• Monitor facility conditions; ensure cleanliness, safety, and organization.
• Manage referee assignments and game officiating; provide feedback.
• Lead by example and maintain a professional presence during league operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (preferred)

Experience in youth sports/recreation (preferred)

Experience training/supervising staff (preferred)

Job description

The Youth League Lead is responsible for supporting the successful operation of youth leagues through a combination of league administration, facility leadership, referee management, and game officiating. This role serves as a key point of contact during league operations and helps ensure a positive experience for players, families, referees, and facility staff. The Youth League Lead will work closely with league management and facility leadership to maintain consistent league standards, support referees and hosts, address issues as they arise, and ensure league operations run smoothly. This position supports operations at both the Magnuson and SODO facilities and may be scheduled at either location based on business and operational needs.

Our Culture

Our unique culture is at the heart of all we do and is guided by our values and behaviors. It’s what we expect of ourselves and each other every day. We call it our “Code of Culture”.

Our Code of Culture includes Our Mantra, Our Actions We Live By, and Pete’s Promise:

Our Mantra:

Respect The Past

Accept Responsibility

Pay it Forward

Our Actions We Live By:

Actions We Live By. It’s who we are when we step into our full power. Keep It Real. Always. We need open and honest discussions. We need courage to speak up and to call things out that aren’t good enough. And we navigate tough conversations with empathy and grace. Think Ahead. Be An Owner. Always be proactive, not reactive; be on the front foot. If we want to be an owner of this business, we must act like it! Stay Humble. Hustle Harder. Show up and do the hard work. Be a gritty, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of crew. Know it’s never about one person–we are a part of a powerful team. One Team. One Voice. Be ONE united team. When we move in the same direction, there are no limits to what we can accomplish. Be Curious. Ask Why. Stay member curious. We seek to understand, and we never settle. We ask questions to truly understand the core of a matter.

Service Forward

Ruthlessly Consistent

Do the Right Thing

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS

League Operations & Facility Leadership

• Serve as the primary League Point of Contact during assigned league nights.
• Help ensure the facility and league operations run smoothly and efficiently.
• Support front desk and host staff as needed during league operations.
• Monitor facility conditions and conduct regular facility walks to ensure cleanliness, safety, and organization.
• Assist with opening and closing responsibilities, including end-of-night facility checks.
• Communicate with staff regarding breaks, game issues, player concerns, and other operational needs.
• Assist with team check-ins, team manager questions, and other league-related activities.
• Monitor league email and voicemail communications during assigned shifts.
• Document league incidents, including cards, forfeits, player concerns, and other issues in required reports.

Referee Management & Officiating

• Officiate approximately 6–10 league games per week, based on operational needs.
• Assess referee performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Support the training and development of new and existing referees.
• Complete referee evaluations and follow up with referees regarding performance and customer feedback.
• Help assign referees to games based on experience, skill level, and the level of play.
• Identify games that may require additional attention and communicate concerns to the appropriate MOD or league leadership.
• Step in to officiate games when needed to ensure appropriate referee coverage.
• Review game footage when necessary to evaluate incidents, referee performance, or player conduct.
• Monitor player cards, suspensions, and other disciplinary matters.
• Review card tracking information and ensure players reaching suspension thresholds are appropriately addressed.
• Review game footage and other available information when investigating player incidents or suspensions.
• Assist with league scheduling and other administrative tasks as needed.
• Communicate with league management regarding program updates, operational concerns, referee needs, and other league matters.
• Respond to customer questions and concerns and escalate issues to league management when appropriate.

Leadership & Team Support

• Lead by example through professionalism, punctuality, strong communication, and active engagement with staff and customers.
• Build positive working relationships with hosts, referees, league staff, players, and families.
• Provide guidance and constructive feedback to staff as needed.
• Help ensure trainees and newer staff remain engaged and on task.
• Maintain visibility throughout the facility rather than remaining in the league office.
• Work collaboratively with facility and league leadership to address operational challenges.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of youth sports, recreational programs, league operations, or a related environment.
• Knowledge of basic game rules and officiating practices; soccer officiating experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback and coach others effectively.
• Ability to make sound decisions and respond appropriately to issues during active league operations.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with facility and league leadership.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, referees, players, families, and customers.
• Ability to maintain a professional, visible, and engaged presence during league operations.
• Ability to handle customer concerns professionally and escalate issues appropriately.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in youth sports, recreation, league operations, officiating, coaching, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience training, evaluating, or supervising staff or volunteers preferred.
• Previous referee or officiating experience preferred.