Director, Youth League Operations

Chicago Fire Football Club is a Major League Soccer team that was founded in 1997. Under new ownership, the Club recently returned to Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field, opened a new 50,000-square foot office in the heart of the city, and recently unveiled a premium state-of-the-art Performance Center in January 2025. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an audacious and ambitious vision that will transform the brand and the company in the coming years.
 

At Chicago Fire Football Club, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.

Position Overview: 

Chicago Fire Football Club is seeking a dedicated Director of Youth League Operations to join our team! The successful candidate will manage all aspects of running our youth soccer league, tournaments, and events, including (but not limited to) operations, budget management, customer service, scheduling and communication. The Director will play an important role in elevating our youth league to continue to provide the best experience for clubs, members and referees. This role requires a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of youth soccer operations, business management, and youth club relations. The Director of Youth League Operations will report to the SVP, Community Programs, Engagement & Facilities.

Job Responsibilities:

 Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan to grow the league in collaboration with the CFFC Soccer Business leadership team
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local soccer organizations, facilities, governing bodies, sponsors, and community partners
• Ensure alignment between the club's objectives, mission, and values

Operational Management

• Oversee all league operations, including scheduling, budgeting, communications, marketing and risk management
• Ensure compliance with all governing body regulations, club policies, and legal requirements
• Work with facilities, clubs and coaching staff to maintain high-quality programming for all levels of players
• Automate and professionalize the business by utilizing apps and software that fully integrates into the current technology across the Chicago Fire organization

Financial Oversight & Business Development

• Develop and manage the league’s annual budget to ensure financial stability and sustainability
• Heavy focus on driving revenue by implementing strategic prices increases, growing the number of locations and participants, proactively performing market and price analysis, etc.
• Work with the corporate partnerships department to identify assets for sponsors
• Oversee financial reporting, accounting, and compliance with fiscal policies

Club Engagement & Marketing

• Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the league, promoting a positive image within the youth soccer community
• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to enhance the leagues brand and increase membership
• Foster relationships with parents, players, and the broader soccer community to support league growth

Completion of other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in sports programming, operations or event management
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing full-time and part-time staff
• Strong understanding of soccer operations, youth player development models, and club governance
• Proven experience in financial management, fundraising, and strategic planning
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders including parents, coaches, and external partners
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and league or event management software
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays 
• Passion for youth soccer and a commitment to fostering an inclusive soccer environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• Proven leadership experience specifically within youth soccer environments
• Conversational Spanish language fluency 
• Familiarity with U.S. Soccer Federation rules, SafeSport requirements, and other relevant youth sports compliance standards

Compensation:

• This role offers a salary range of $70,000 - $75,000 and is eligible for a revenue incentive bonus plan
• Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt
• This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals
• Additional benefits & perks: Official Chicago Fire FC Website

Please note:

• Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
• CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination.   The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. 
  • If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at peopleandculture@chicagofirefc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.    

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