Director of Coaching & Player Development

Decatur , Illinois, POSITION FOCUS

The position is integral to the growth of Midstate Soccer Club. A figure head for the whole Midstate organization, the employee will oversee & organize particular programs, leagues, organize training sessions, oversee coaches whilst providing feedback & evaluations. This position ensures a consistent, age-appropriate curriculum and fosters a positive learning environment for players and coaches. The DOC serves as a mentor, educator, and leader, guiding coaches and supporting player development from grassroots through competitive levels. Employee will also run special events & be involved with the everyday running of the club.

 

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the DISC Manager

 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

 

1. Coaching Leadership & Education

 

• Develop and implement a club-wide coaching philosophy and methodology.

• Design and deliver ongoing coaching education and mentoring programs (clinics, evaluations, workshops).

• Monitor and evaluate coaching staff to ensure alignment with club goals.

• Assist in hiring, onboarding, and managing team coaches and technical staff.

• Coach or help coach a club team each season.

• Run model sessions for new coaches

• Take coaching courses to ensure up to date on the ongoings of the current game

• Design and administer a continuing education program for the team coaches, to include evaluations

• Design and maintain coaching curriculums/resources for the team coaches

• Bring in experts such as state, regional, and national staff coaches, to present clinics/camps

• Design training schedule

• Create a suitable library of books, videos and articles for all the team coaches to access

 

2. Player Development

 

• Oversee the development pathway for all players from U5–U19.

• Ensure age-appropriate training plans and curriculum are being executed.

• Provide input and support for team formation and player placement.

• Organize player evaluations and assist in player development plans.

• Develop relationships with all club players & beyond. Get on first name terms with every player

• Educate the players and the parents about the playing opportunities beyond the club level, such as Illinois Alliance, ODP, and encourage the best players to try out or push themselves to regional & national teams.

• Create a college recruiting information program and educate the players and parents on college playing opportunities

 

• Host a college informational evening to assist players/families with college placement

• Implement & maintain Techne Futbol program

• Create activities for club indoor training

 

3. Program Oversight & Community Outreach

 

• Supervise little kritters, MYSL, leagues, and competitive programs.

• Develop seasonal training schedules, session plans, and guidelines.

• Coordinate team tryouts and player identification processes.

• Promote and support individual and team growth.

• Promote the club within the community and help with public relations/media

• Conduct, organize & run sessions for TOP Soccer our outreach program

• Maintain relationships with current Illinois Alliance partners & all central Illinois directors

• Host Alliance friendlies & SLYSA league dates in fall (Acquire refs, vendors, food, volunteers, align fields etc.)

• Hold occasional/annual meetings with oversight committee

• Meet with maintenance staff each preseason & maintain a communication line on field management, lining, seeing, fertilization etc.

• Organize and help run summer and/or school vacation camps for the club that remain consistent with the club developmental philosophy

• Run & coordinate summer camps including outside camps coming in such as Tetra Brazil Camps/Clinics.

• Promote, run & coordinate annual indoor futsal 4v4 tournament

• Assemble volunteers for Midstate Cup & 4v4 tournament

• Meet monthly with DISC staff members & relay soccer ongoings

• Meet monthly with Rec Staff leaders & relay soccer ongoings

• Supervise professional photo arrangements for fall (and HS teams in spring)

• Organize Millikin night (and any other affiliated events)

• Organize social events for major soccer events & tournaments (watch parties)

• Organize summer camp activities

• Be a figurehead & help for the Alliance program (supplemental for summer/winter)

 

 

4. Communication & Leadership

 

• Serve as the technical liaison between coaches, parents, players, and club leadership.

• Communicate club values, goals, and expectations consistently across all programs.

• Attend club meetings, represent the club in league/association/state/national events when needed.

• Promote & recognize soccer challenges such as juggle club /techne & achievements within the game

• Design and implement a parent education program that would include parent meetings, handouts etc.

• Oversee concession stand usage/supplies/inspections

• Organize transport with staff on district vehicle use

• Create /assign referees for club games with help of referee assignor

• Maintain a family atmosphere within the club

 

5. Administrative Duties

 

• Maintain records of coaching certifications and development.

• Collaborate with club administrators on scheduling, logistics, and budgeting.

• Manage and review coaching staff payroll or stipends

• Develop relationship with our vendors for uniforms (European Sports, Score Sports etc.)

• Hold weekly meetings with assistant directors/registrar

 

• Hold first aid certification & update bi-annually or annually

• Hold seasonal parent meetings & address parent concerns during seasons.

• Maintain relationships will all admin staff (credit card turn ins, payroll, sponsorships etc.)

• Arrange outings to professional games MLS/WPS etc.

• Collect payroll for employee coaches

• Make purchases for equipment for programs whilst staying within a balanced budget

• Balance budget, monitor financials monthly & request financial reports when necessary

• Capital Budget planning as per long term needs for the club

• Arrange fundraising meetings & galvanize Midstate family members to help with fundraising projects

• Arrange & work with Booster Club Treasurer on fundraising ideas. This includes working on the annual pizza fundraiser

• Attend monthly meetings for Midstate Cup

• Arrange time slots for indoor club training with DISC

• Educate parent reps on how best to help club teams

• Run team apps to assist with communication

• Maintain & expand relationships with Chicago, St Louis & Indy area clubs

• Organize, edit & send Veo Recording Camera info

• Facilitate camera check in /check out for coaches/managers

• Social media- lead all efforts to attract & engage the community on our pages (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, You Tube)

• Work with DISC manager & staff on indoor needs/space for soccer

 

 

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

• Oversee MYSL program, helping with uniforms, opening days etc.

• Overseeing MYSL picture day

• Have a general working knowledge of got sport (registration platform)

• Secure hotels for travel teams

• Gather paperwork for club players

• Work with recreation division to create soccer programs for under-served populations i.e., inner city and SRA.

• Promotion/scheduling of indoor/outdoor leagues

• Assign and schedule indoor/outdoor refs

• Assist in hosting registration nights for club in summer

• Oversee & assist Little Kritters & youth summer programs

• Sponsorship for all tournaments

• Fundraising

• Work on rec trac system to reserve indoor courts

• Identify potential MYSL players to join club

• Camps- ALL

• Special events (boys & girls club other community events/ southside clinics)

• Monitor the pass back program & provide opportunities to roll out

• Help promote programs within school district

• Help organize Millikin night & other affiliated events

• Build relationships with parents in all programs

• Performs other duties as assigned REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Ability to respond to inquiries and requests received from the general public

• Must provide a high level of customer service to internal and external customers

• Use effective time management skills to complete the assigned job tasks

• Ability to work in a team atmosphere, promoting positive work relationships with both internal and external customers

• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities to perform required work

• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public orally and in writing, as needed

• Must be self-motivated, work with general direction from assigned supervisor, and achieve assigned goals

• Ability to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations

• Proactively resolve problems, if authorized to do so, or to refer problems to immediate   supervisor

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sports or Management field

• Minimum ‘C’ license with US Soccer or equivalent (NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches).

• 5+ years of youth coaching experience; prior DOC or technical director experience preferred.

• Playing experience

• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to mentor and lead coaching staff of various levels.

• Familiarity with Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) and modern coaching trends.

• First aid certification

• Minimum age of 25 is required

• Or, any equivalent combination of education, experience and training