ABOUT CAROLINA CORE YOUTH SOCCER
At Carolina Core Youth Soccer (CCYS), we are building something extraordinary. As a premier high-performance youth soccer club, we are committed to providing elite-level training, a high-performance environment, and defined collegiate pathways. Our culture is built on core values that drive us daily: People-Fueled Momentum, Simplify to Elevate, Grow & Succeed Together, and Courageous Ownership.
We believe in empowering the next generation of elite female athletes. We are seeking an inspiring, highly qualified leader to champion this vision as our next Girls Academy Director.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Girls Academy Director is the senior technical and operational leader responsible for the strategy, execution, and competitive excellence of CCYS’s Girls Academy (GA) program (U13–U19) and its developmental feeder pipelines (Pre-GA and GA Aspire).
In this role, you will establish and enforce elite standards across coaching, tactical periodization, matchday performance, talent acquisition, and player wellness. Reporting directly to the Technical Co-CEO—and collaborating closely with the Operations & Player Care Co-CEO—you will cultivate a high-performance, empowering environment specifically tailored to elite female athletes, systematically developing players through a comprehensive, holistic approach to athlete development. Beyond technical execution, you will oversee off-pitch programming, lead proactive college recruitment strategies, construct defined path-to-pro development pipelines (collegiate, youth national team, and pre-professional), and drive active community service engagement in close collaboration with the club foundation.
WHAT YOU’LL DO (KEY RESPONSIBILITIES)
- Strategic Program & Sporting Leadership: Direct all technical, tactical, and competitive operations for the Girls Academy (U13–U19) and supporting GA Aspire squads. Ensure strict fidelity to the CCYS Game Model and modern female soccer trends.
- Coaching Staff Management & Mentorship: Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate all Girls Academy head coaches, assistant coaches, and specialist trainers. Lead weekly technical planning meetings, game model reviews, and formal seasonal coaching evaluations.
- Talent Identification, Recruitment & Roster Management: In coordination with the scouting team, lead talent identification events, scouting trials, and roster selection. Maintain competitive depth charts and drive proactive talent retention.
- League Governance & National Platform Operations: Serve as CCYS’s official Club Director and voting representative within the national Girls Academy League. Ensure 100% compliance with GA operating rules, conference scheduling, national showcase events, and advisory board mandates.
- Collegiate Recruitment Strategies & College Advisory: Formulate, direct, and execute comprehensive college recruitment strategies across all high-school age groups (U15–U19). Partner with the GA College Pathway & Performance Coach to conduct college advisory workshops, cultivate active relationships with NCAA (DI, DII, DIII) and NAIA coaching staffs, oversee digital recruiting profiles (SportsRecruits), host dedicated college ID showcases, and guide families through recruiting timelines and eligibility requirements.
- Path-to-Pro Development & Elite Pathways: Architect and manage structured path-to-pro development pipelines for standout academy athletes aiming for pre-professional, professional (USL Super League, NWSL, international leagues), and Youth National Team opportunities. Coordinate individualized performance roadmaps, pro-environment training exposures, and direct dialogue with federation scouts and professional technical directors.
- Female Athlete Health & High Performance: Partner with Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning staff to implement female-specific performance protocols, including load monitoring, ACL injury reduction frameworks, and nutritional support.
- Video & Performance Analysis: Embed video technology (Veo/Hudl) into weekly training sessions, pre-match scouting, and post-match debriefs. Conduct individual and team tactical video analyses.
- Holistic Approach Development & Off-Pitch Programming Oversight: Champion a holistic development philosophy that prioritizes the growth of the whole athlete—mind, body, and character. Maintain executive oversight for all off-pitch programming, integrating leadership development curricula, mental performance and sport psychology, athletic lifestyle and nutrition education, and academic-athletic balance.
- Foundation Collaboration & Community Service Engagement: Lead meaningful collaboration with the club foundation to bridge elite academy soccer with community philanthropy. Design, schedule, and oversee team-led community service engagement initiatives, fostering civic responsibility, empathy, and active community mentorship throughout the Carolina Core region.
- Culture, Empowerment & Player Care: Cultivate an inclusive, resilient, and empowering sporting culture. Collaborate with executive leadership on female athlete leadership councils, player wellness check-ins, and proactive player-care support systems.
- SafeSport & Risk Compliance: Maintain rigorous adherence to US Soccer SafeSport policies, background checks, travel safety guidelines, and club-wide safeguarding standards.
SCOPE OF AUTHORITY & DECISION RIGHTS
- Girls Academy Rosters & Team Selections: Holds final authority over team rosters, player promotions, player cuts, and game-day squads within the GA and GA Aspire programs, in consultation with head coaches and the Technical Co-CEO.
- Coaching Assignments & Tactical Execution: Directs age-group coaching assignments, match strategy, and training periodization for all girls academy teams.
- League Operations & Showcase Travel: Directs GA conference game scheduling, national showcase travel itineraries, and tournament entries in coordination with club operations.
- College Recruitment & Path-to-Pro Strategy: Directs all collegiate recruitment strategies, path-to-pro development pathways, national showcase selections, and professional scout relations for all enrolled female athletes.
- Off-Pitch Programming & Foundation Collaboration: Directs holistic player development initiatives, off-pitch programming curriculum (leadership, mental resilience, life skills), and authorizes team community service engagement projects in coordination with foundation leadership.
- Budget & Staffing Recommendations: Recommends coaching hires, compensation adjustments, and program expenditures to executive leadership.
WHAT YOU BRING (QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES)
- Coaching Licensure: USSF "A" or "B" License (or UEFA equivalent) required; USSF Academy Director License or UEFA "A" License preferred.
- Elite Experience: Minimum 4-5 years of coaching and leadership experience in elite female youth environments (Girls Academy, ECNL, USL W-League, or NCAA Division I/II).
- Proven College Placement & Path-to-Pro Track Record: Demonstrated success in executing collegiate recruitment strategies, placing student-athletes into competitive NCAA (DI/DII/DIII) programs, and advancing high-potential prospects along path-to-pro and national team pipelines.
- Holistic Development & Off-Pitch Program Expertise: Deep expertise in holistic approach development—including mental performance, character formation, and female athlete wellness—with proven capability in off-pitch programming oversight and community service engagement.
- Exemplary Leadership & Communication: Superb communicator capable of inspiring young women, mentoring coaching staff, and establishing trusted partnerships with families.
- Analytical & Technological Fluency: Proficient in modern video analysis software, athlete management systems (PlayMetrics), and college recruiting platforms.
- Culture Champion: A leader who models and instills the CCYS core values: People-Fueled Momentum, Simplify to Elevate, Grow & Succeed Together, and Courageous Ownership.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Collegiate Recruitment & Placement Success: High percentage of graduating, college-aspirant GA student-athletes placed in collegiate programs (NCAA DI/DII/DIII/NAIA) through proactive, individualized college recruitment strategies.
- Path-to-Pro Development Progression: Consistent identification, tracking, and advancement of high-ceiling prospects into pre-professional training opportunities, pro club talent networks, and Youth National Team scouting pools.
- Holistic Development & Off-Pitch Program Execution: High athlete engagement across all structured off-pitch programming, including mental performance, leadership development, wellness education, and academic support.
- Foundation Collaboration & Civic Impact: 100% team participation in club foundation initiatives and community service engagement projects, establishing CCYS student-athletes as recognized leaders in the broader community.
- Competitive Excellence & National Recognition: GA squads achieving high competitive standing within conference play and advancing at Girls Academy national events.
- Female Athlete Retention & Well-Being: High player retention year-over-year, measurable reduction in soft-tissue and ACL injuries via structured prevention programs, and positive athlete surveys.
- Coaching Staff Development: High staff retention, active licensure advancement, and consistent delivery of female-tailored high-performance session standards.
- Platform Governance & SafeSport Compliance: 100% adherence to Girls Academy league standards, conference travel guidelines, and US Soccer SafeSport requirements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Dynamic mix of pitch-side coaching, matchday tactical management, video analysis, college recruiting workshops, and family consultations.
- Regular evening and weekend commitments aligned with elite training schedules, conference matches, and national showcase travel.
- Extensive regional and national travel required for Girls Academy league events, showcases, and recruiting tournaments.
COMPENSATION & PROVISIONS
- This is a full-time, exempt executive leadership role. Final FLSA classification is confirmed against applicable federal and North Carolina standards.
- CCYS offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, licensing, and track record.
- CCYS is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
Join us in shaping the future of elite female youth soccer at Carolina Core Youth Soccer!
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
