About Washington Youth Soccer
Washington Youth Soccer is the largest youth organization in the State of Washington and one of the largest and most relevant state youth soccer associations under the umbrella of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) and the US Youth Soccer national governing bodies (NGB’s). We are a nonprofit organization striving to foster the mental, physical, and emotional growth and development of the youth in our state through the sport of soccer at all levels (Elite, Competitive, and Recreation).

Job Description
The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading the service organization’s daily operations and staff of Washington Youth Soccer in implementing its strategic plan, providing relevant programming to our soccer community at all levels,  and implementing new programs that drive growth of youth participation in soccer in the state. The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors, keeps the Board fully informed, and provides regular updates. The ED will be a strategic, visionary, and results-oriented leader with unquestioned integrity, credibility, and character, who will serve as the public face of Washington Youth Soccer and demonstrate a clear and unequivocal commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D E & I). The ED will need to maintain a balance between professional business acumen, management, and technical knowledge along with continuous outreach to all the organization’s members, volunteers, and employees.

The ED is expected to play a dynamic leadership role including, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Establish and continuously improve a best practice focus on D E & I, growing the game of soccer, and delivering the highest level of service to our Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs.
• Addressing the frequent changes in the soccer landscape by adjusting plans and programs accordingly.
• Building a stronger organization at the board, staff, and volunteer levels to incorporate input from, and create programs that improve soccer programming for our membership.
• Practice regular fundraising and exceptional financial management to grow the organization, diversify revenue sources, and manage existing resources.
• Establish a culture and implement policies and systems that foster management openness and transparency, with a goal of creating an integrated soccer opportunity system for youth in the state of Washington.

Responsibilities
The ED is responsible for the daily management of the Washington Youth Soccer system, which includes 27 Member Associations across the State and partnerships in the states of Oregon and Idaho, nearly 200 clubs operating at all levels of competition, and approximately 94,000 players each season. The ED leads a vibrant office staff, including those responsible for member services, administration, marketing, communications, cup management, partnerships, Soccer For Success, Elite Player Development, Positive Coaching Alliance, the RESPECT campaign, coaching education and more.

Specifically, the ED has the following responsibilities that fall into different categories:

Management & Leadership

• Ensure professional service-oriented delivery of relevant support for Member Associations.
• Model openness, transparency, professionalism, and teamwork including, but not limited to, representation on the State Regional Club League, participation in State Cups and Elite Player Development (EPD) programming.
• Encourage, promote, and advocate for an organization-wide culture committed to D E & I that inspires and supports innovative thinking and problem-solving by staff, membership and volunteers that supports Washington Youth Soccer’s mission and promotes synergy and collaboration across the organization.
• Be proactive in growing engagement with members, the community, and strategic partners.
• Recruit, employ, evaluate, and release all staff. Ensure that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place, in accordance with current best nonprofit management practices.
• Encourage staff and volunteer development, education, and assisting program staff in relating to their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
• Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop and maintain an organizational culture as well as systems that provide adequate data for decision-making and program monitoring/evaluation.
• Find ways to increase support for Associations and Clubs.
• Provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff and carrying out plans and policies authorized by the board.
• Know the Statutes, Policies, and Procedures of FIFA, US Youth Soccer, and the US Soccer Federation, and ensure that the organization supports and complies with these obligations.
• Maintain a working technical and professional knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of youth soccer, including SafeSport-related and other significant governance requirements.

Communications

• See that Washington Youth Soccer stakeholders (including but not limited to, the Board, Member Associations, Regional Club League, and Partners) are fully informed on the condition of the organization and important factors influencing it.
• Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs, and its goals. Serve as the chief spokesperson and public face of the organization.
• Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with Washington Youth Soccer Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs, in addition to community groups and organizations, while representing the programs and point of view of the organization to members, stakeholder organizations, and the general public.
• Represent the organization to legislative bodies and governmental entities.

Financial Management

• Develop and maintain sound financial practices that conform with all applicable regulations, guidelines, and best practices for a nonprofit of Washington Youth Soccer’s size and complexity.
• Lead the preparation of the annual and multi-year budgets and financially manage the organization to operate within budget guidelines.
• Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
• Jointly, with the Board, conduct official correspondence of the organization and execute legal documents and processes.
• Develop relationships with, and solicit grants and gifts from, foundations and corporations.
• Develop and execute new methods of fundraising, as well as maintain and improve all existing methods of fundraising.

Partnerships

• Serve as the leading spokesperson for the organization to continuously nurture deep and productive partnership relationships with:
  • Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs
  • Soccer bodies, including but not limited to: FIFA, US Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, Sounders FC, and other professional organizations
  • Philanthropic foundations
  • Corporations and corporate foundations
  • Health, fitness, and medical/nutritional professionals

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years professional experience or higher degree.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in management, a significant portion of which is within a complex non-profit organization with a member-service focus and a minimum budget of $2M, with at least 3 years at the executive level.
• Experience in association management and service organizations.
• Excellent people skills, including facilitation and listening, collaboration, and willingness to learn and support.
• Ability to, and comfort with, working with multiple supervisory and/or collaborative bodies including the Board of Directors, Member Associations, and Regional Club League Charter Member clubs.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to attract, motivate, and develop staff and volunteers.
• Excellent written, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Proven track record of providing strategic direction in a collaborative manner.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with tact and diplomacy.
• Calm under pressure.
• Ability to work some flexible hours including travel to Member Associations or other partners, including nights and weekends.
• Experience with youth soccer and/or youth-centered organizations

Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience, plus a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and vacation/sick leave. A retirement program that includes a 401k with up to 5% matching is also offered.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply For This Position

• Send a cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position, a resume, and three (3) professional references to apply@washingtonyouthsoccer.org.
• Candidate screening will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Washington Youth Soccer is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant will be discriminated against because of race, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sensory, mental, or physical disability.