Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

Position: Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
Reports to: Chief of Soccer Operations/Associate General Secretary
Location: Ottawa or Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Salary: $90,000 - $125,000
Employment Type: Full-time
Vacancy Status: Existing Vacancy

OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Chief of Soccer Operations / Associate General Secretary, the Director, Soccer Regulatory Affairs & Compliance leads Canada Soccer's Soccer Regulatory & Compliance Department. This role is responsible for the full breadth of compliance related activities across the Canadian soccer ecosystem, including player registration, discipline, regulatory alignment, system governance, club licensing, integrity, and national/international compliance requirements with FIFA, Concacaf, and national sport authorities. The Director ensures that all member organizations, leagues, clubs, and participants operate in accordance with Canada Soccer Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program standards, integrity frameworks, and global football regulatory structures. This leadership role safeguards the fairness, safety, and credibility of the game in Canada, while advancing national compliance systems such as Domestic Training Compensation and registration oversight.

POSITION SUMMARY
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
• Oversee all compliance functions related to Canada Soccer Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, ensuring uniform national application.
• Ensure full compliance with FIFA and Concacaf statutes, circulars, regulations, and integrity standards.
• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for compliance matters affecting PTSOs, leagues, clubs, and other member stakeholders.

Player & Team Official Registration
• Oversee governance and operation of Canada Soccer's registration systems.
• Ensure alignment with domestic and international eligibility requirements, including ITCs and FIFA Clearing House processes.
• Oversee registration audits, data integrity protocols, and system level compliance.

Discipline & Judicial Bodies
• Provide operational and regulatory support to Canada Soccer's judicial entities (Disciplinary, Ethics, and Appeals Committees).
• Oversee issuance, tracking, and reporting of disciplinary measures in line with domestic, FIFA, and Concacaf frameworks.
• Maintain jurisprudence records and ensure consistent application of sanctions and procedures.

Integrity (Safe Sport, Doping & Match Manipulation)
• Lead Canada Soccer's integrity portfolio, including safe sport policy implementation, case management processes, and safeguarding compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Sport Integrity Canada.
• Develop and administer match manipulation education, prevention, and reporting programs.

Club Licensing Program (Professional)
• Lead and execute the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program at Professional level.
• Oversee standards development, assessment processes, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement of licensing criteria.
• Ensure alignment with national strategic priorities and Concacaf Club Licensing regulations.
• Coordinate cross departmental workflows (Development, Competitions, National Teams, Legal, and others) to provide integrated support to clubs during the licensing process.
• Support clubs through evaluation cycles, corrective action planning, and implementation guidance.

Domestic Training Compensation System
• Lead the development, implementation, and administration of a Domestic Training Compensation framework for Canada.
• Oversee eligibility criteria, valuation methodologies, compliance processes, and dispute resolution.
• Coordinate with clubs, leagues, and PTSOs to ensure consistent national application.
• Deliver education, guidelines, and communication tools for all stakeholders.

Compliance with PTSOs and Professional Members
• Oversee compliance monitoring, reporting, and support systems for PTSOs and Professional Members, ensuring adherence to national standards, regulatory frameworks, and membership obligations.
• Conduct compliance audits, risk assessments, and improvement planning with PTSOs and Professional Members to ensure alignment with Canada Soccer By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and applicable FIFA/Concacaf requirements.
• Provide interpretation, guidance, and advisory support to PTSOs and Professional Members regarding domestic regulatory requirements, compliance expectations, and corrective action planning.
• Participate in a leadership role on the implementation and compliance oversight of a National Soccer Registry, ensuring national adoption, system integrity, data governance, and alignment with domestic and international registration regulations.

International Compliance & Liaison
• Coordinate Canada Soccer's regulations compliance responsibilities with FIFA and Concacaf.
• Monitor international regulatory changes and operationalize domestic updates.
• Support disciplinary, eligibility, and integrity related cases requiring international cooperation.

Leadership & Department Management
• Lead the Soccer Compliance Department, including staffing, planning, budgeting, and performance management.
• Promote cross departmental collaboration.
• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert in compliance, integrity, licensing, and regulatory governance.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
• University degree in law, sport management, public administration, governance, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in regulatory compliance, sport governance, legal administration, or an equivalent role.
• Knowledge of FIFA and Concacaf regulations and the Canadian soccer governance structure.
• Experience managing disciplinary processes, regulatory frameworks, or compliance programs.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in MS Office and database systems.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under deadlines.

Preferred
• Experience within a national or international sport organization.
• Familiarity with COMET or similar registration platforms.
• Experience in integrity management, safeguarding, antidoping, or risk management.
• Knowledge of training compensation mechanisms or club licensing structures.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.

Why Join Canada Soccer?
As the governing body for the sport in Canada, Canada Soccer is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history — with the FIFA World Cup 26™ on home soil and a growing national passion for the game. Joining our team means helping shape the next era of soccer in Canada and inspiring a nation united by the world's game.

Please submit your résumé, cover letter and expected salary expectations before May 15, 2026. Please note that only those candidates selected for a potential interview will be contacted.

Canada Soccer is the official governing body for soccer in Canada. In partnership with its members, Canada Soccer promotes the growth and development of soccer in Canada, from grassroots to high performance, and on a national scale. Soccer is the largest participatory sport in Canada and is considered the fastest growing sport in the country. There are nearly 1,000,000 registered Canada Soccer active participants in Canada within 1,200 clubs that operate in 13 provincial/territorial member associations.

Our recruitment and selection processes and work environment are inclusive and barrier-free. Canada Soccer believes that a diverse team strengthens our organization. Canada Soccer provides equal opportunity for all applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences pardoned or suspended, marital status, family status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by local law. Self-identification by candidates in the process is completely voluntary. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities.