Position Summary 

Key Responsibilities 

• Define and implement a club-wide game model, playing philosophy, and periodized development framework aligned with elite U.S. standards. 
• Establish a clear player development pathway from grassroots through pre-professional levels. 
• Benchmark and continuously evolve programming against standards set by organizations such as U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS-affiliated academies. 
• Lead long-term planning to position the club as a top-tier talent development environment regionally and nationally. 
• Alignment with Carolina Core FC and future professional pathways  
• Collaboration with senior technical leadership across properties  
• Contribution to a vertically integrated player development model 

• Recruit, hire, and retain high-level coaching staff with appropriate licensure and growth potential. 
• Implement a structured coaching development program aligned with U.S. Soccer Coaching Education standards. 
• Conduct regular evaluations, including session observations, performance reviews, and individual development plans. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

• Design and oversee a comprehensive, age-specific curriculum consistent with long-term athlete development principles. 
• Integrate physical, technical, tactical, and psychosocial components into all programming. 
• Oversee talent identification, scouting, and player evaluation processes. 
• Facilitate exposure opportunities, including showcases, identification events, and advancement pathways to collegiate and professional levels. 
• Establish clear communication standards with players and families  
• Manage expectations around development pathways and progression 

• Ensure all teams compete in appropriate leagues and events that support development and exposure (e.g., MLS NEXT & Girls Academy level competition standards). 
• Monitor team and individual performance using objective metrics, video analysis, and data-informed feedback. 
• Guide coaches in match preparation, in-game management, and post-match analysis aligned with the club’s game model. 

• Develop and manage the technical budget, including staffing, equipment, travel, and league participation to achieve financial targets 
• Balance high-performance standards with financial sustainability 
• Oversee seasonal planning, training schedules, and staffing assignments across all age groups. 
• Collaborate with administrative leadership to ensure efficient program delivery and resource allocation. 

• Ensure full compliance with league, platform, and federation requirements, including those set by U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS-affiliated competition standards. 
• Maintain oversight of coaching licensure, safeguarding policies, and player registration requirements. 
• Implement best practices in player safety, welfare, and risk management. 

• Extensive experience in a senior technical leadership role within elite youth soccer (MLS Next), European academy systems, or professional environments. 
• Extensive experience developing academy athletes into the professional game 
• Minimum U.S. Soccer A License (or international equivalent) 
• Demonstrated success in building and managing high-performance environments aligned with MLS/NWSL or equivalent standards. 
• Proven track record in coach development, player progression, and program growth. 
• Ability to hold staff accountable to high standards while developing people and building culture 
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational capabilities. 
• Experience working within structured development platforms such as MLS NEXT, Girls Academy or similar. 
• Experience with the residential academy system is strongly preferred. 
• Experience building or transforming high-performance environments 
• Experience leveraging performance data, video, and technology platforms to drive development 
• Experience working in a system responsible for the academic education of youth athletes is strongly preferred 

• High-performance leadership and strategic execution 
• Deep understanding of elite player development pathways 
• Coaching education and mentorship excellence 
• Data-informed decision-making and performance analysis 
• Organizational and financial acumen 
• Commitment to integrity, professionalism, and player-centered values 

• Reports to: Carolina Core Youth Soccer Ownership  
• Supervises: All coaching staff and technical personnel 

• Dynamic mix of on-field leadership, administrative responsibilities, and competition oversight 
• Regular evening and weekend commitments aligned with training and match schedules 
• Travel required for league competition, showcases, and professional development