Player Scout Manager – Women’s College

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

Reporting into the WNT Assistant Coach & Player Scout Manager and in collaboration with our Women’s Talent ID management team, the Women’s College Player Scout Manager is responsible for overseeing scouting, tracking, and monitoring of high potentials across NCAA landscape. The role involves leading all aspects of U.S. Soccer’s Women’s College Talent ID Plan and developing intimate knowledge and relationships with key NCAA programs and members to gather detailed information and drive an accurate, efficient, evidence based, and collaborative decision-making and player selection process.

Primary Responsibilities

• Commits to the mission, objectives, values, and policies of U.S. Soccer and The U.S. Way (and her LENS)
• Applies U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Strategy, Philosophy, Framework, Processes and Structures 
• Creates, drives, executes, and evolves a unified strategic scouting plan for women’s college landscape
• Collaborates with Talent ID department, Women’s National Team Coaches, Integrated Sports Performance, National Team Player Scouts, YNT Scouting Network, and Talent Reporters
• Identifies, tracks, monitors, and recommends players to expand and improve player pools U-17 through U-23.
• Expands and improves the College Scouting Network
• Serves as Player Scout Lead for specific YNT age group, as assigned by Player Scout Manager, Senior Managers, and Head of Talent ID
• Manages online technology platforms for reporting, tracking, and longitudinal monitoring—applies data and creates video clips to produce player profiles
• Contributes to US Way and herLENS technical Projects, as assigned
• Communicates effectively with all internal and external stakeholders (players, staff, scouts, colleges, coaches, etc.)
• Completes a personal development plan and reviews with direct report on an annual basis

Role and tasks of the position are based on 3 Key Areas: College Scouting, Building and Managing YNT Scouting Network, and Technology & Analysis

College Scouting 

• Strategically and systematically manages player identification, tracking and weekly scouting assignments (video and in-person) for key games, training sessions, tournaments across NCAA Division 1
• Maintains college depth charts (long lists, short lists) and collaborates with TIDM age group lead on age group depth charts
• Creates, submits, presents, and reviews player reports using WNT templates (written and video, attention to details)
• Cross-checks reports and recommends players for YNT camps as part of longitudinal and collaborative selection and decision-making process
• Attends key days at YNT age group camps to support assessment process and gain knowledge of current player pool when making comparisons and recommendations. As assigned and approved by Player Scout Manager
• Attends/Co-Leads weekly TID/College Age Group Teams Meetings to review players
• Serve in lead role for a YNT age group as assigned by Player Scout Manager
• Attends key NCAA games and events in-person (i.e. Women’s College Cup, NWSL Combines, etc.)

Building and Managing YNT Scouting Network 

• Builds, manages, and develops a quality, diverse and reliable network of independent/part-time Scouts across the NCAA landscape (follows all protocols for vetting, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new scouts in areas of need)
• Assigns scouts to weekly games, training sessions and annual events based on TID strategy and plan
• Reviews all scout reports for quality control. Provides feedback, supports development, and organizes a mentoring system for YNT Network Scouts
• Builds a supplementary network with members, colleges, Talent Reporters, and tipsters (informal leads) 
• Supports scouting initiatives for Behind the Badge, under-served communities and outreach programs

Technology & Analysis (Player Monitoring Systems) 

• Monitors players continuously over time (reports, documents, logbooks, etc.)
• Creates video clips to support player examination and reviews
• Applies data and statistics for quantitative analysis of player
• Supports development of internal W-NCAA data dashboards and systems to support scouting 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• U.S. Soccer Talent Scout License or equivalent (required to successfully complete year 1 if does not currently hold license)
• High level ability to lead, plan, and collaborate
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships
• Passion for scouting and experience within a college and/or high-performance environment
• Possesses a growth mindset
• Comprehensive knowledge of the NCAA landscape/pathway 
• Competencies, characteristics and understanding of talent identification and development—process, structure, theory, and practice (international and domestic standards) 
• Soccer experience and game understanding that contribute to assessing and interpreting player actions and behaviors to produce clear player profiles (Potential and Performance)
• Proficient with analysis, reporting, video clipping, data, and scout technology platforms (Sportscode, Wyscout, Hudl, Statsbomb, etc)
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook)
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
• Excellent verbal and written communication combined with a professional demeanor 
• Able and willing to work/travel throughout the year, with an understanding that in-person assignments will be balanced with video scouting
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed

Other

• Participate in U.S. Soccer Talent Scout Courses and herLENS workshops for ongoing education and development, as assigned by Player Scout Manager and Head of Talent ID

Desired Qualifications

• Professional playing experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.