Sports Program Manager

U.S. Soccer Overview

We are U.S. Soccer, and we are the future of sport in the United States. Our mission is to make soccer the preeminent sport in the United States. We embrace diversity, technology and global connections to drive the growth of our sport and serve our athletes and fans. We seek motivated, passionate, skilled people who can think, create and work on a team.

U.S. Soccer is a growing company that looks for team members to grow with it. U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture and an atmosphere for professional development.

The Federation’s core principles set organization-wide standards to identify and foster our culture and inform how we interact and hold each other accountable. These principles guide U.S. Soccer: We Win Together. We Aim High. We Champion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. To be successful as a USSF employee, it is critical to demonstrate and live up to these principles every day and with every interaction with peers, stakeholders, and partners.

The Federation’s core values are the individual attributes and characteristics that staff embody to uphold the organization’s principles and succeed. These values guide our employees: Integrity. Commitment. Teamwork. Respect.

Position Description

The Research and Innovation Assistant will play a pivotal role in the implementation and operational execution of research and innovation initiatives within U.S. Soccer. Reporting directly to the Director of Research and Innovation, this position is designed to strengthen the department’s capacity to deliver high-impact, cross-functional projects that advance the health, performance, and development of players and staff across the U.S. Soccer ecosystem.

This role will have an impact on the implementation of research and innovation at the National Training Center and will primarily focus on coordinating and executing applied research projects, innovation pilots, and technology evaluations. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and experienced in project management, with a strong understanding of scientific methodology and the ability to work in multidisciplinary environments. This position will work collaboratively with internal departments (e.g., Sport Science, Sport Medicine, Data Analytics, Sporting Analytics, Coaching Education, etc.), as well as external stakeholders (e.g., academic institutions, technology partners, and funding agencies).

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide support in the design and management of research and innovation projects. This may imply providing support in conducting experiments, including setting up equipment, preparing materials, and recording observations.
• Assist in addressing applied research questions raised by high-performance staff, collaborating with external experts, universities, PhD candidates, or other partners when appropriate.
• Conduct literature reviews to stay informed on emerging research, technologies, and methodologies.
• Assist in the processing, analysis, and interpretation of data to extract meaningful insights.
• Document experimental procedures, analyze results, and contribute to technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Support the creation of communication materials that translate research findings into actionable insights (e.g., develop and publish educational resources across digital platforms).
• Foster a culture of continuous learning through knowledge exchange.
• Lead the organization of research and innovation events such as webinars, symposia, and workshops.
• Assist with day-to-day project management tasks, including scheduling, coordinating communication between stakeholders, and tracking progress toward milestones.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals, funding applications, and finding donors, sponsors, or industry funding to keep growing research and innovation at US Soccer.
• Facilitate collaboration opportunities and attract innovative companies capable of addressing key challenges in soccer.
• Ensure all initiatives align with U.S. Soccer’s strategic priorities and adhere to ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
• Stay current with scientific and technological advancements and share learnings to elevate the department’s collective expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree and PhD degree (or willingness to start a PhD program) in an area related to high performance (e.g., Sport Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, etc.)
• General knowledge of soccer / Strong knowledge of soccer
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize workflow
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
• Ability to deliver high-quality work and execute under pressure and deadlines
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) and Tableau/Power-BI
• Excellent written and verbal communication combined with a professional demeanor with excellent capacity and understanding to write scientific papers
• Able and willing to travel up to 10-15% of the year
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• General knowledge of soccer
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)

Desired Qualifications

• Passion for soccer
• Master’s and PhD degree in a soccer-specific area or sport management
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Thorough institutional knowledge of U.S. Soccer’s mission, goals, technical plan, policies, practices, and procedures
• Previous experience with a club or national team
• Proficient experience with tools for statistical analysis such as SPSS, R, or Python

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.