Job Details

Overview

Director of Talent Identification: Women's Youth National Teams responsibilities include developing and overseeing a comprehensive Talent ID plan, applying the mission and strategies to identify the next generation of women's national team players. The role leads and guides the Women's Talent ID Regional Managers and fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Position Description

The Director of Talent Identification: Women's Youth National Teams is responsible for the development and oversight of a comprehensive 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 leads and guides 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Way projects: Key Qualities, Position Profiles, Dual and Multiple Nationals, Post-Camp Player Assessment
• Communicates and collaborates with members and their leaders to support U.S. 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

Responsibilities 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

• Builds supportive 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
• Ensures 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)
• Attends weekly TID/YNT age group zoom meetings to coach managers and guide and support pre/post camp process
• Oversees Dual and Multiple Nationals program for W-YNT
• Supports communication with clubs regarding calendar, visits, player call-ups and releases

Scaled Regional Structure & YNT Scouting Network

• Applies data-driven approach to regional scaling model expansion
• Empowers Talent ID Managers to build and manage a diverse network of independent/part-time YNT Scouts across designated markets
• Makes final hiring approvals for new YNT Network Scouts
• Monitors regional scouting activity and club visits based on TID strategy
• Ensures quality control within the YNT Scouting Network and supports mentoring for scouts
• Leads decisions on assignments of managers and scouts to events and tournaments
• Supports members in developing their own Talent ID programs

Talent Identification Programs

• Oversee local Talent Identification Centers, Regional Mini-Camps, and National TID Programs with aligned objectives to the YNT calendar and The U.S. Way
• Ensure uniform guidelines, protocols, and procedures across all TID Centers and Camps
• Supervise and support Talent ID Managers in execution of their roles
• Lead Talent ID National Camp in collaboration with U-15 YNT Coach

Player Monitoring Systems

• Oversees development of an integrated platform for assigning, reporting, and monitoring players and scouts over time
• Applies quantitative and qualitative scouting methods
• Collaborates with analysts, managers, and coaches to build and maintain video resource library of position profiles and key qualities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• U.S. 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 of talent identification and development theories, systems and practices
• Knowledge of the domestic soccer landscape and player pathways
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication with professional demeanor
• Ability to develop constructive working relationships with leaders and stakeholders
• Effective planning, time management, and ability to prioritize
• Capable of working in fast-paced environments
• Ability to connect micro details to macro vision
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Able and willing to travel
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends

Desired Qualifications

• Passion for soccer
• Master's degree
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• U.S. Soccer Talent Scout License or international equivalent
• Proficient with data, video editing and scout technology platforms
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Soccer's mission, goals, and policies
• Previous experience with a club or national team program

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, a casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development. U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.