Director of Talent Identification: Women’s Youth National Teams
New Today
Job Type Full-time Description Soccer Overview
The Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.
We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of ;
Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitions plans for Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.
Position Description
The Director of Talent Identification: Women’s Youth National Teams is responsible for the development and oversight of a comprehensive and aligned Talent ID plan, effectively applying the mission, objectives, strategies, and tactics to identify the next generation of future women’s national team stars. This person is responsible for leading and guiding the Women’s Talent ID Regional Managers, while cultivating a collaborative and inclusive culture.
Primary Responsibilities
Commits to the vision, mission, strategy and policies of Soccer
Leads a world class women’s Talent ID staff and the overall strategic plan and programs
Supports the personal and professional development of the Talent ID Regional Managers by providing formal and informal feedback and ownership of individual development plans
Oversees an aligned and systematic scouting pathway to identify, monitor and recommend players to continuously expand and improve the girls and women’s national team’s player pool
Applies Soccer Talent Identification philosophy and framework
Monitors the evolution of the women’s national and international landscape and pathways to effectively oversee the development of all strategic components of Women’s Talent Identification, through a female lens
Leads a collaborative, holistic, and methodical decision-making process for all TID and YNT camps
Collaborates with WNT Assistant Coach/Player Scout Manager regarding pathway planning and transition of YNT highest potentials to senior national team
Builds effective and supportive relationships with all sporting departments and develops strong connections with Youth National Teams, High Performance, and Analytics, to support an interdisciplinary approach
Collaborates with TID Operations Manager and Head of Talent ID to regularly review and evaluate the program’s effectiveness, identify trends and apply data and analytics to help refine plans and drive strategy for scaled regional model and budget planning
Contributes to Sporting initiatives and provides TID expertise and leadership for The Way projects: Key Qualities, Position Profiles, Dual and Multiple Nationals, Post-Camp Player Assessment
Communicates and collaborates with our members and their leaders to support our Way objectives for a scaled and unified Talent ID strategy
Supports Coaching Education and the Talent ID Education Lead with the development of a specialized Talent ID Education Pathway
Responsibilities of the position are based on leadership and oversight of four key areas: Aligned Youth National Team Scouting Pathway, Scaled Regional Structure & YNT Scouting Network, Talent ID Programs, and Player Monitoring Systems (Technology and Digital Platforms)
Aligned Women’s Youth National Teams Scouting Pathway
Building supportive and effective professional relationships between Talent ID Managers and Women’s Youth (and senior) National Teams (Head of Development and Coaches)
Assigns Managers to specific age group cycles as player scouting leads
Oversees TID/YNT Player Pathway requirements and Depth Charts Mechanisms for the Women’s Youth National Teams
Assures quality and compliance for player selection process, methods, and roles
Facilitates age group hand-off meetings and player selection audits
Conducts formal player benchmarking reports post major tournaments (Concacaf, World Cups)
Attends key days at YNT age group camps to support Talent ID Managers and YNT Coaches with in-camp assessment process and to gain intimate knowledge of current player pool (on and off field), to support player comparison, recommendation and selection process
Attends weekly TID/YNT age group zoom meetings to coach managers and guide and support pre/post camp process of continuous monitoring, review and (de) selection of players for camps
Oversees Dual and Multiple Nationals program for W-YNT
Supports communication process with clubs regarding calendar, visits, player call-ups and releases
Scaled Regional Structure & YNT Scouting Network
Applies data drive approach to regional scaling model expansion
Empowers and supports Talent ID Managers with their responsibility to build and manage a quality, diverse and reliable network of independent/part-time YNT Scouts, across their designated scouting markets (support recruitment and hiring of new scouts in identified areas of need)
Makes final approval when hiring new YNT Network Scouts
Monitors TID Managers regional scouting activity and club visits based on TID strategy and plan, with support from TID Operations
Ensures quality control within the YNT Scouting Network and collaborates with TID Education Lead and Talent ID Managers to support mentoring system for educating and developing YNT scouts
Leads strategic decisions on assigning managers, and scouts to key events and tournaments as part of annual scouting calendar
Communicates with and supports members to (further) develop their own Talent ID programs
Talent Identification Programs (Local, Regional, and National)
Oversee all aspects of local Talent Identification Centers, Regional Mini-Camps, and National TID Programs: vision, objectives, strategies, annual plan, and alignment with YNT calendar and The Way objectives
Ensures uniformity and technical consistency with all guidelines, protocols, and procedures across all TID Centers, Regional Mini-Camps and National Camps programs.
Supervises and supports Talent ID Managers in the execution of their role (attends regional mini-camps and key TID Centers)
Leads Talent ID National Camp in collaboration with U-15 YNT Coach
Player Monitoring Systems (Technology and Digital Platforms)
Oversees and contributes to ongoing development and application of a vertically and horizontally aligned platform with tools, templates, and mechanisms to supports continuous assigning, reporting and monitoring of players (and scouts) over time and drives accurate, systematic, and evidence-based decision making
Applies quantitative and qualitative scouting methods
Collaborates with analysts, managers, and coaches and delegates responsibilities to build and maintain video resource library of position profiles, traits and key qualities across all age groups and international world class role models
Requirements Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Soccer A License (or UEFA A License)
Experience as a leader and relationship builder (club or Federation)
Minimum 5 years applied experience in Talent Identification
Expert knowledge and understanding of current talent identification and development—theory, systems and practice (domestic and international standards)
Knowledge of the domestic soccer landscape and player pathways
Ability to think critically and problem solve
Excellent written and verbal communication combined with a professional demeanor
Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships and regular communication with key leaders and stakeholders across the entire ecosystem
Effective planner , exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize workflow
Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook)
Able and willing to travel
Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed
Desired Qualifications
Passion for soccer
Master’s degree
Bilingual (English and Spanish)
Soccer Talent Scout License or international equivalent
Proficient with data, video editing and scout technology platforms (, Opta, Hudl, Sportscode, Wyscout, etc.)
Thorough institutional knowledge of Soccer’s mission, goals, technical plan, policies, practices, and procedures
Previous experience with a club or national team program
Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.
Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.
- Location:
- Atlanta
- Job Type:
- PartTime