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

This position will support the development of research and innovation initiatives within US Soccer. The Research and Innovation Manager supports the Research and Innovation Director in developing, coordinating, and carrying out research and innovation cross-departments. The Research and Innovation Manager assists in the process of generating knowledge (e.g., supporting in the design and management of projects), sharing knowledge (e.g., creating an education catalog, writing white papers and using other methods of mass communication such as webinars, podcasts, and website posts), and taking over operational responsibilities (e.g., seeking for alignment with organization’s strategy, managing projects with staff and external parties, organizing webinars/conferences/meetings, applying for grants, etc.). Also, the Research and Innovation Manager will attract and work with talented entrepreneurs/companies, whose innovative products or solutions may solve challenges of current soccer, in order to successfully implement them in our ecosystem. Overall, the Research and Innovation Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the research and innovation process by providing administrative, technical, and organizational assistance in order to contribute to the successful execution of our research and innovation initiative.

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. 
• Help answer and support research questions from “in field High Performance employees” involving external parties if necessary (Universities, PhD candidates, external specialists, etc.).
• Conduct literature reviews to gather relevant information and insights on current research trends, technologies, and methodologies related to the field of interest. 
• Design and implement an education catalog for different areas of high performance.  Contribute to a strong publication agenda.
• Documenting experimental procedures, results, and findings accurately. This may include writing technical reports, creating presentations, and contributing to research publications. 
• Create and post resources on our website and other methods of mass communication.
• Lead in organizing and convening research and innovation events in addition to participating in this type of events.
• Assist with project management tasks such as scheduling meetings, coordinating communication between staff members, and tracking progress towards research and innovation milestones. This includes operational responsibilities such as scheduling meetings, support in the organization of webinars, conference, etc.
• 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.
• Build relationships with other researchers, universities, industry partners, and stakeholders to foster collaboration and identify opportunities for joint projects or funding. 
• Develop and accelerate our innovation initiatives aligned with the federation’s strategy.
• Attract and work with talented entrepreneurs/companies, whose innovative products or solutions may solve challenges of current soccer. 
• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, ethical guidelines, and safety protocols in research activities. 
• Continuous learning: staying updated on advancements in the field through attending conferences, workshops, and training programs, and sharing knowledge with the team. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree and PhD degree (or willingness to start a PhD program)
• General 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.

Desired Qualifications 

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

Working at U.S. Soccer is a unique opportunity. Employees who work at U.S. Soccer have the following attributes: 

• Live our Principles & Values
• Adopt a company centric approach—Serve the Athlete and the Fan
• Embrace and see learning as a lifelong pursuit 
• Possess a growth mindset—keeps an open mind and seeks new challenges 
• Practice self-assessment and self-reflection
• Open to criticism and does not make excuses
• Possess a tireless work ethic
• Wants to be part of a team that wins
• Has the ability to be firm but fair 
• Communicate in a direct, open and honest manner
• Build relationships through genuine interpersonal skills 

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.