Soccer Development Manager (Travel Team Programs)

Soccer Development Manager (Travel Team Programs)

Reports to: Director of Programs, President & Founder

Works closely with: Director of Programs, President & Founder, Registrar, Referee Assignor, Program Staff and Coaches, and Consultants

Programs Overseen: Travel Teams (with matriculation to other programming)

Position Type: Contracted / Seasonal (Winter, Spring, Fall 2026)

About Soccer Unity Project

Soccer Unity Project (SUP) reimagines the power of soccer to build community, connect people from diverse backgrounds, and promote equity in youth play. We transform the traditional pay-to-play system into an inclusive model rooted in joy, access, and opportunity - particularly for urban and underserved youth. Each year, SUP serves 1,400+ young people through free recreational leagues, travel teams, developmental training, clinics, adaptive programs, and leadership pathways.

SUP programs prioritize:

• Equity & Inclusion: Ensuring access for all youth, of all abilities, with a focus on players development, confidence, leadership, and retention.
• Player & Coach Development: Providing age-appropriate, high-quality, and socially inclusive soccer experiences for players and coaches, building team culture aligned with SUP's mission and values.
• Community & Cultural Connection: Promoting cultural appreciation, culturally responsive coaching practices, Trauma-informed and SEL-centered approaches and strong, safe relationships between players, coaches, and families.

Position Overview

The Soccer Development Manager leads SUP’s coaching culture, technical direction, and player development pathways for Travel Team programs. This role collaborates with SUP leadership to shape strategic vision and planning for hands-on mentorship, ensuring that all SUP programs deliver consistent, high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive experiences. This role ensures consistent coaching standards, age-appropriate development, and a positive, team-centered environment that supports both individual growth and collective team success. This role works closely with coaches, players, parents, and SUP leadership to build strong teams, develop skilled and confident players, and uphold the SUP values:

Access Community Cultural Appreciation Play.

A central focus of this role is:

• Collaborating with SUP leadership to define the technical philosophy, curriculum alignment, and player pathways.
• Mentoring coaches, building mentorship frameworks, and fostering a collaborative, learning-centered coaching culture.
• Supporting equitable access and development pathways for all players, and focus on any specific needs for inclusive girls and adaptive programming.

Key Responsibilities

Coaching Staff Leadership & Management

• Work with SUP leadership in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of Travel Team coaches, prioritizing equitable opportunities for underserved, early-career, and diverse candidates.
• Build a structured mentorship pathway where senior coaches guide junior and early-career coaches.
• Provide ongoing observations, conduct evaluations, and deliver strengths-based, actionable feedback, complemented by professional development opportunities for coaches.
• Support coaches in coverage for practices and games as needed for approved absences.
• Foster a collaborative, learning-centered coaching culture rooted in SUP values.

Technical Leadership, Player Development & Curriculum

• Collaborate with SUP leadership to establish SUP technical philosophy and maintain the philosophy in development principles for each age group.
• Collaborate with SUP leadership on the design and then facilitate the process to develop an appropriate coaching curricula and age-appropriate player pathways across Travel Teams, matriculating practices to Grassroots and Adaptive programs.
• Work with coaching staff to Integrate technical skills, tactical understanding, physical literacy, and social-emotional learning (SEL) into player development.
• Support player progression within SUP and, when appropriate, to external opportunities.
• Observe practices and games to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across programs.

Practice, Game & Seasonal Planning

• Oversee tryouts, evaluations, player placements, and roster decisions.
• Collaborate with coaches on practice design and game strategies that prioritize player and team development over results.
• Coordinate with coaches and Registrar on player registration and team placements including communications to families to ensure appropriate player placements as well as appropriate competitive levels for team placements with league (BAYS).
• Support and mentor coaches in player-centered, positive, and equitable matchday experiences.

Family Communication & Community Engagement

• Maintain transparent, culturally responsive communication with families, players, and coaches.
• Support coaches in building positive parent engagement and communication.
• Develop family-facing materials explaining SUP philosophy, player pathways, and program expectations.
• Collaborate with program staff to align travel teams with broader organizational goals.
• Serve as a visible, supportive and positive leader at practices, games, and community events.

Team Culture, Cultural Responsiveness & SEL Leadership

• Establish clear standards for team culture, behavior, and sportsmanship consistent with the organization’s mission.
• Promote inclusive, equitable, positive and affirming team environments for players and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Lead the integration of cultural responsiveness across all aspects of the travel program.
• Partner with staff and external facilitators to deliver SEL and equity-focused trainings for coaches.
• Model empathy, emotional intelligence, and respectful communication in all interactions.
• Ensure policies and practices prioritize youth voice, dignity, and belonging.

League, Facility & Operational Support

• Serve as SUP’s primary technical liaison with league (BAYS) and state association (Mass Youth Soccer - MYSA).
• Oversee team registrations, placements, scheduling, and compliance requirements with BAYS & MYSA.
• Coordinate with the Registrar and Referee Assignor for player registration, mid-season roster or division adjustments, and home game logistics.
• Support coaches in maintaining safe, organized training environments.

Conduct, Conflict Resolution & Safety

• Address conflicts, suspensions, and on-field issues involving players, families, or coaches.
• Ensure all incident reports are submitted to SUP Sportsmanship Committee, BAYS and MYSA, and oversee the resolution including any suspensions or other needed responsiveness.
• Ensure compliance with SUP, BAYS, and MYSA codes of conduct and safety standards.
• Apply restorative, community-centered approaches to conflict resolution when appropriate.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment across all programs.

Qualifications

Required

• USSF coaching license (C or higher preferred) or equivalent.
• Leadership, mentorship, and managerial experience with coaches or youth development programs.
• Strong understanding of youth soccer player development and age-appropriate training.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and safe sport principles.

Preferred

• Bilingual (Spanish strongly preferred).
• Experience supporting girls’ development or equity-focused programs.
• Background in SEL, trauma-informed coaching, or child development.
• Experience designing coach education programs.
• Familiarity with local and national youth soccer structures and pathways.

Compensation & Schedule

• Estimated $6,000-10,000 per season for Winter, Spring, and Fall 2026 (part-time).
• Weekly on-field hours with evenings and weekend commitments.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Travel may be required for games, tournaments, and events.
• Flexible schedule for administrative responsibilities.
• Opportunity for summer placement with weekday clinics in partnership with Mass Youth Soccer (hours 9-5pm on Monday-Thursday).

Additional Expectations and Requirements

• Role is an independent contractor, completing all required payroll documents including W9.
• Required to conduct a CORI ("Criminal Offender Record Information") and additional paperwork and training as needed with Mass Youth Soccer, USYS, USSF, City of Boston or other entities.
• Attend any SUP mandatory trainings, including soccer coaching certifications, cultural responsiveness trainings, team building trainings and activities, and DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) trainings.
• Agreement to not engage in services or activities for any team, soccer club, association or other group other than with SUP without advance notice and permission from SUP.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a short cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: “Soccer Development Manager Application – [Your Name]”

Pay: $18,000.00 - $30,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person