Head of Business Operations and Development

HEAD OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT (Women's Soccer)

Title: Head of Business Operations & Development (Women's Soccer)
Department: Administration
Reports to: President/CEO

Background:
The sport of soccer has experienced unprecedented growth in the United States in recent years. This is demonstrated by a variety of metrics including fan interest, explosion of games aired on television, media coverage, growth of professional soccer, etc. The United Soccer League ("USL") features 40+ professional clubs across the U.S.

The USL Super League is a professional women's soccer league set to kick off in August 2024. Built for the future of women's soccer, the USL Super League has committed to U.S. Soccer's Division One standards, reflecting its collective vision to be a global leader on and off the field while providing more opportunities for more women in more communities.

The inaugural 2024 season will feature eight teams with additional teams set to join in subsequent seasons. Uniquely for American soccer, the USL Super League will play on the "fall-to-summer" soccer calendar traditionally followed around the world, ensuring players are able to represent both club and country and allowing clubs to actively participate in the emerging global women's transfer market.

The USL Super League will sit at the top of the USL's distinct youth-to-pro women's pathway. The complete pathway includes the USL W League, the leading pre-professional women's soccer league in the United States; the USL Academy, an advanced talent-development platform connected to professional and pre-professional USL clubs; and the Super Y League, a premier national youth competition.

Sporting Club Jacksonville, or "Sporting JAX" is the club founded in 2020 by a local Jacksonville ownership group and named in collaboration with the First Coast community in 2023.

The club's goal is to operate a women's professional USL Super League club, a men's professional USL Championship club, and a USL Youth Academy and to partner with city and county authorities to develop a 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities to host the clubs in Northeast Florida.

The ownership group is led by successful business entrepreneur Ricky Caplin and includes sporting legends Tim Tebow and Fred Taylor, as well as experienced professional soccer executive Steve Livingstone and local community innovator Tony Allegretti. Additionally, UF women's soccer coaching legend Becky Burleigh leads Sporting JAX's efforts as a consultant to the women's pro team.

The club is a community-oriented organization focused on providing opportunities for youth development, fostering competition, and delivering exceptional professional soccer experiences.

The club's motto is "Lift Evert Voice" inspired by the James Weldon Johnson anthem written in Jacksonville in 1900. The club's multi-purpose stadium and regional youth facilities will reach out beyond soccer to other sports and other sporting communities. Sporting JAX exists in part to advance soccer and an equal playing field in our community as well as provide a "sporting chance" for the underserved and marginalized across the First Coast and beyond.

Position Overview:

The Head of Business Operations & Development (Women's Soccer) will oversee all business development and operations for the club's women's pathway to professionalism and Super League franchise. This position will report directly to the club President.

Duties & Responsibilities:
• Work with ownership and other members of the club's senior leadership to develop and implement a business plan for the club's Super League team and overall women's pathway (including, as applicable, the USL W League and USL Academy programs)
• Lead and direct all Super League business operations and strategic initiatives
• Help develop, drive and close business development, partnerships and other revenue streams across the entire the organization and specifically for the women's programs
• Specifically oversee and provide strategic direction for day-to-day operations of the Super League team, including monitoring and forecasting revenue and expenses, and support the development of appropriate professional facilities and opportunities for the women's team
• As a leader on the business development team, help develop and support execution of external marketing, partnerships, ticket sales, public relations and community relations plans specifically as it relates to the Super League team, but also the wider Sporting JAX organization
• Represent Sporting JAX in all business aspects of the Super League team, acting as a specific spokesperson for the women's team and for the organization in general when required
• Support the wider goals of the organization in all areas and across all departments providing leadership and mentorship for staff
• Serve as the main liaison to the USL League Office on all Super League and women's soccer matters for the club. Collaborate with management and ownership to ensure highest professional standards are being met on a daily basis. Be the spokesperson for the club in relation to women's soccer.
• Work with the technical and coaching staff to "champion" the women's team and assist in overseeing proper safeguarding protocols to specifically support and protect our female athletes and staff
• Other duties as requested by club ownership

Essential Skills, Experience & Abilities:
• Entrepreneurial, highly driven leader with deep professional sports/soccer experience.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Must be a team builder and team player with the ability to manage across a diverse organization. Must have the ability to relate professionally to all levels of staff, management, partners and clientele.
• Demonstrated quick-learner with ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to generate ideas and creative solutions.
• Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of professional sports business strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of women's soccer and/or women's sports required, with previous experience in the women's sports industry strongly preferred.

Salary: TBD - commensurate with applicant's qualifications.

Sporting Club Jacksonville strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Job Questions:

1. Are you based within a daily travel/commute to our Jacksonville, Florida offices or would be willing to relocate to the Northeast Florida region?

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