Coach, Head of Player Development & Management

The Role

NJ/NY Gotham FC is seeking a Head of Player Development and Management, to work closely with the Head Coach and President of Soccer Operations of the Club. This coach will serve as the tactical liaison of the Head Coach’s vision for individual player improvements strategy on and off the pitch. The ideal candidate is personable and detail-oriented, has experience in professional soccer, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Individual Development Plan (IDP) process for every First Team player, in close collaboration with the Head Coach, coaching staff, Performance & Medical, and Analysis departments.
  • Ensure every player has a clear, individualized improvement plan identifying the technical, tactical, physical, mental and other areas most important to improving performance and maximizing their contribution to the team.
  • Establish a consistent process, agreed to with the Head Coach and President of Soccer Operations, for documenting, reviewing and updating each plan, and ensure that agreed development priorities translate into specific work on and off the field in a timely and regular process.
• Own the Player Outlook Planning process for every First Team player.
  • Maintain a documented and regularly updated Player Outlook Plan that provides a holistic assessment of each player’s situation across three dimensions: on-field outlook, career outlook and player psyche/well-being.
  • On-field considerations should include expected position(s), role, playing-time outlook, starter/depth expectations and tactical fit.
  • Career considerations should include where the player is in her career, her aspirations, contract/roster circumstances where relevant, and how she views her future development and progression.
  • Player psyche considerations should capture confidence, satisfaction, expectations, motivation, relationships and other factors that could affect the player’s experience or performance.
  • Identify the key considerations and risks for each player and maintain a specific set of actions designed to proactively address or mitigate those risks.
  • Ensure every Gotham FC player has appropriate clarity regarding her role with the club, what is expected of her, and what she needs to do to improve, contribute and progress.
• Serve as the primary on-field player-management resource to the President/GM, providing a comprehensive view of individual players before acquisition and throughout their time at Gotham.
  • Surface emerging player issues, risks and opportunities early, and provide recommendations on actions that may be required from a sporting, development or player-management perspective.
  • Provide relevant player insight to support roster planning, recruitment, retention and other player decisions.
• Work closely with the Head Coach to ensure clear and consistent communication with players regarding team and individual expectations.
  • Ensure players understand the team’s tactical concepts and their individual roles, while also understanding and appropriately communicating player questions, concerns and feedback to help close gaps between coaching intent and player understanding.
• Ensure players understand the team’s tactical concepts and their individual roles, while also understanding and appropriately communicating player questions, concerns and feedback to help close gaps between coaching intent and player understanding.
• Other Responsibilities:
  • Establish and maintain a disciplined player-meeting and feedback process.
  • Conduct regular individual meetings with all members of the roster, maintain appropriate records of key discussions and actions, and increase meeting frequency where individual circumstances warrant.
  • Ensure important player issues have clear ownership and appropriate follow-up with the Head Coach and other relevant staff.
  • Lead the individual-development component of First Team training, under the direction of the Head Coach.
  • Conduct and support practices, training sessions, camps and preseason activities with particular emphasis on individual coaching, position-specific development and execution of each player’s IDP priorities.
  • Help create a high-performance player environment built on trust, accountability and consistency.
  • Serve as a trusted resource for players while reinforcing team expectations, behaviors, standards, and club and league rules.
  • Coordinate across the sporting organization on matters affecting individual players.
  • Work closely with Coaching, Performance & Medical, Analysis, Player Care and Soccer Operations to ensure that important information affecting a player’s development, readiness, experience or outlook is understood and acted upon.
  • Institute, disseminate and enforce team and league rules to players.
  • Participate in promotional, sponsorship, and public relations activities requested by the Club upon reasonable prior notice, including, but not limited to, ticket game, team and stadium promotions, clinics, speeches, interviews, photo sessions, public appearances, sponsor activities and participating in media programs as directed by the club.
  • Other tasks and duties as assigned by the Owner, General Manager and Head Coach.
• Establish and maintain a disciplined player-meeting and feedback process.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of coaching experience.
• 5-7 years experience in women’s soccer and/or professional soccer.
• Knowledge of NWSL and women’s soccer landscape.
• Ability to communicate effectively and motivate others.

Capabilities & Other Characteristics

• Strong Communicator.
• Detail Oriented.
• USSF / UEFA A coaching license.
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $115,000 – $145,000 plus benefits.

This job description is a broad summary of the essential job functions and general duties for this position, the additional job duties that may be required from time-to-time, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. The Head of Player Development and Management may be required to and must be willing to perform other duties as assigned, to meet organizational needs. This job description may be modified from time to time, at the sole discretion of Gotham FC. This employee must follow and enforce all policies and procedures formulated by Gotham FC and be a role model for the organization.

The existence of this job description does not modify the employee’s “at-will” status. That is, unless a signed employment contract specifying a term of employment exists between Gotham FC and the employee or his/her/their representative, both Gotham FC and the employee will have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without reason or notice, unless otherwise prohibited by law.