Sporting Director

The Island FC – Sporting Director Location: Long Island, New York Reports To: Ownership / President of Business Operations Overview The Island FC is building a new professional soccer club on Long Island, launching as an independent MLS NEXT Pro franchise in 2027, with a long-term vision to establish a women’s professional team. ResponsibilitiesThe Sporting Director will be responsible for the following: Sporting Strategy & Identity Define and implement the club’s football philosophy, ensuring alignment across recruitment, player development, and first-team performance Establish a unified sporting model connecting all levels of the club within a consistent framework Partner with ownership and executive leadership to align on football identity and roster philosophy Player Recruitment & Roster Construction Build a roster strategy that prioritizes top Long Island and regional talent while strategically integrating domestic and international playersLead all player identification, scouting, and recruitment for the inaugural roster Build an inaugural roster capable of competing within MLS NEXT Pro, balancing emerging youth talent with experienced players Build pipelines across MLS NEXT Pro, USL, college, academy, and international markets Align recruitment strategy with the club’s development model to ensure continuity in player profiles and long-term squad building Identify value within budget constraints through trialists, free agents, waivers, and targeted acquisitions Build and manage relationships with domestic and international clubs to support player loans, transfers, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the roster and long-term player pipeline Player Development & Pathway Lead the integration of an existing youth infrastructure across Nassau and Suffolk Counties into a unified, club-aligned development model Build and oversee a true youth-to-professional pathway designed to identify and develop top talent from Long Island Ensure alignment between player development, first-team requirements, and recruitment strategy Establish a player-centered model emphasizing accountability, growth, and progression both on and off the field Manage inbound and outbound loans and affiliate relationships Integrate player development with a defined player trading and asset creation strategy Lead the development of international pathway initiatives, including a residential model designed to attract foreign-based players into a structured student-athlete pipeline from youth through college and into the professional game Technical Operations & Compliance Manage roster construction in compliance with MLS NEXT Pro rules and salary structures Oversee contracts, registrations, and player documentation Lead international transfers, FIFA clearances, and USSF compliance Navigate league mechanisms, player eligibility, and roster regulations Leadership & Department Buildout Lead the hiring of the inaugural Head Coach in partnership with ownership Lead and align coaching staff across all levels of the club, establishing consistency in playing philosophy, standards, and player development from youth through the professional team Build and manage a lean technical staff and scouting infrastructure Foster alignment across coaching, performance, medical, and recruitment functions Align coaching staff, front office, and ownership on roster strategy and execution Serve as the primary point of contact with agents, clubs, and league stakeholders Analytics & Scouting Infrastructure Integrate data, video analysis, and performance insights into recruitment and player development Develop analytical frameworks to support decision-making across recruitment, performance, and progression Performance Expectations The Sporting Director will be evaluated across the following core areas: Staff Leadership & Infrastructure Buildout Roster Construction & Talent Identification Player Development & Pathway Success Competitive Performance Strategic Alignment with Ownership Qualifications Experience as a Sporting Director, Assistant Sporting Director, or senior technical leader within a professional club Deep knowledge of player identification at the USL/lower-division and international levels Strong understanding of MLS NEXT Pro, USL, and the North American development ecosystem Established domestic and international network, including relationships in Europe and South America Proven experience in roster construction, talent valuation, and recruitment within budget constraints Experience working with players transitioning from academy or collegiate levels Strong understanding of player trading models, including MLS mechanisms and international markets Experience with loans, transfers, and contract negotiations Familiarity with scouting and analytics platforms (Wyscout, Hudl, InStat) Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills Comfortable operating in a build-from-scratch, resource-conscious environment Preferred Profile The ideal candidate brings proven experience building a roster from inception, with the ability to construct and lead a balanced team combining emerging youth talent with experienced players. Experience with data-driven recruitment, a deep knowledge of youth soccer and emerging domestic talent, and the ability to connect authentically with Long Island’s diverse soccer communities are key to shaping both player identification and overall club development. 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.