Pre-Academy Manager
Chicago Fire
2 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Chicago, IL, 60608, US
There has never been a more exciting time to join Chicago Fire FC. As one of Major League Soccer's original clubs, Chicago Fire FC is in the midst of an exciting era fueled by tremendous investment, ambition, and growth. With a new $100M state-of-the-art Endeavor Health Performance Center now open, new offices in Chicago's iconic Wrigley Building, and plans underway for a privately-funded $750M+ soccer-specific stadium set to open in 2028 in the heart of Chicago, the Club is building the future of soccer in one of the world's great sports cities.
Chicago Fire FC is becoming a cultural force in Chicago by connecting communities, shaping experiences, and creating new ways for fans to engage with the game and the city. The Club's future home, McDonald’s Park, will anchor Chicago's newest neighborhood and serve as a catalyst of growth for the next chapter of professional sports and entertainment in the city.
Joining Chicago Fire FC today means joining an organization on the rise. Our growth creates once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for ambitious professionals to generate meaningful impact and help shape the future of our Club. Whether on the pitch working match day or in the front office, every team member plays a role in building something incredibly special.
At Chicago Fire FC, our mission is to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago through world-class experiences and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are guided by our core values, Communication, Get Better, Joyful Purpose, Own the Outcome, Selfless, and We Compete.
If you're looking for a place where your work will matter, your ideas will be heard, and your career can grow alongside one of the most ambitious projects in professional sports, we'd love to hear from you.
Position Overview:
Chicago Fire FC is looking for an outstanding Pre-Academy Manager to build and lead a high-performance program for players. This is a rare opportunity to shape something from the ground up: to help define how the club identifies, develops, and prepares the next generation of Academy talent.
At its core, this is a coach-leader role. The person we are looking for is as comfortable on the training pitch as they are designing systems and leading people. They will bring a strong on-field presence, a sharp eye for talent, and the vision and drive to build a program that becomes a cornerstone of the club's long-term player development strategy.
Working closely with the Academy Director and Head of Recruitment, the Pre-Academy Manager will establish a best-with-best training environment, build a trusted pre-academy scouting network across the Chicagoland area, and create the processes and culture that give every player the best possible chance of progressing into the U13 Academy.
Success in this role is defined by the quality, readiness, and number of players who successfully make that transition.
Job Responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Strategy
- Design, build, and lead Chicago Fire FC's Pre-Academy program.
- Develop and implement a training curriculum that reflects the club's game model.
- Establish a clear, well-understood player development pathway leading to U13 Academy intake.
- Set and maintain high, consistent standards across all Pre-Academy environments and activities.
- Continuously review and evolve the program, drawing on best practices in elite youth development.
Coaching & Player Development (Coach-Leader Role)
- Maintain a strong, visible on-field coaching presence across training sessions.
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate high-quality sessions that bring the club's playing philosophy to life.
- Create and sustain a genuinely competitive, best-with-best environment that raises the standard for every player.
- Implement and monitor Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that give each player a meaningful, personalised pathway.
- Lead structured player reviews and deliver honest, constructive feedback to players and their families.
- Champion a holistic, player-centered approach that keeps long-term development at the heart of every decision.
Talent Identification & Scouting
- Own and lead the Pre-Academy talent identification strategy, working closely with the Academy Head of Recruitment to shape recruitment priorities.
- Build, manage, and develop a network of local scouts and contacts, maintaining clear standards around:
- Consistent player identification criteria
- Regular, structured reporting and communication
- Alignment with the club's recruitment priorities and game model
- Be a visible presence in the Chicagoland soccer landscape, actively attending games, training sessions, and events to find the best young talent.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of high-potential players within the club's catchment area.
- Hold scouts accountable for the quality, consistency, and impact of their identification and recommendations.
- Organise and lead talent ID events, festivals, and recruitment initiatives that raise the club's profile and attract top players.
- Define clear, consistent processes for player entry, progression, and exit that give families confidence and give the Academy a reliable pipeline.
- Work closely with U13 Academy colleagues to ensure scouting outcomes directly inform intake decisions.
Staff Management & Development
- Recruit, lead, and manage Pre-Academy coaching staff with clarity and purpose.
- Set clear expectations around roles, responsibilities, and performance, and hold people to them.
- Design and deliver an ongoing coach development and CPD program that raises the quality of coaching across the program.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Methodology to ensure consistency and coherence across all Academy age groups.
- Build a coaching culture that is high-performing, accountable, and genuinely collaborative.
Relationships & Community Engagement
- Invest in building strong, lasting relationships with clubs, schools, community organisations, and key figures across the Chicagoland soccer landscape.
- Be a genuine ambassador for Chicago Fire FC, positioning the club as the destination of choice for the best young talent in the region.
- Support and educate parents, helping them understand the Academy pathway, what to expect, and how they can best support their child's development.
Operations & Collaboration
- Keep accurate, up-to-date records across player development, scouting, and recruitment.
- Attend and contribute actively to Academy meetings, fixtures, and events.
- Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team across performance, medical, analytics, and player care.
- Ensure full alignment with MLS NEXT standards and club operational procedures.
Safeguarding & Player Care
- Uphold the highest standards of player welfare, safeguarding, and well-being without exception.
- Ensure full compliance with all club, MLS, and U.S. Soccer safeguarding policies.
- Create and protect an environment where every player feels safe, included, and valued.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in youth player development or a similar role.
- US Soccer A license (UEFA A license equivalent) or advanced youth award.
- Strong proven experience in talent identification and scouting leadership.
- Must display a strong work ethic and desire to build a career in professional sports.
- Excellent understanding of long-term athlete development principles.
- Experience working within an MLS Academy, MLS NEXT environment, or equivalent academy setting.
- Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
- Travel and ability to work weekends/flexible hours required.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
Preferred Qualifications:
- An established network within the Chicagoland youth soccer landscape.
- Experience building or leading a program or department from inception.
- Experience designing and delivering coach education programs.
- Familiarity with player performance tracking and data systems.
Compensation:
- This role offers a salary range of $75,000.00 - $80,000.00.
- Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt.
- This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals.
- Additional benefits & perks: https://www.chicagofirefc.com/careers.
Please note:
Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at Peopleandculture@chicagofirefc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
MLS Privacy Policy:
- By clicking apply, you agree to the terms of the MLS Privacy Policy.
Chicago Fire FC is becoming a cultural force in Chicago by connecting communities, shaping experiences, and creating new ways for fans to engage with the game and the city. The Club's future home, McDonald’s Park, will anchor Chicago's newest neighborhood and serve as a catalyst of growth for the next chapter of professional sports and entertainment in the city.
Joining Chicago Fire FC today means joining an organization on the rise. Our growth creates once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for ambitious professionals to generate meaningful impact and help shape the future of our Club. Whether on the pitch working match day or in the front office, every team member plays a role in building something incredibly special.
At Chicago Fire FC, our mission is to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago through world-class experiences and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are guided by our core values, Communication, Get Better, Joyful Purpose, Own the Outcome, Selfless, and We Compete.
If you're looking for a place where your work will matter, your ideas will be heard, and your career can grow alongside one of the most ambitious projects in professional sports, we'd love to hear from you.
Position Overview:
Chicago Fire FC is looking for an outstanding Pre-Academy Manager to build and lead a high-performance program for players. This is a rare opportunity to shape something from the ground up: to help define how the club identifies, develops, and prepares the next generation of Academy talent.
At its core, this is a coach-leader role. The person we are looking for is as comfortable on the training pitch as they are designing systems and leading people. They will bring a strong on-field presence, a sharp eye for talent, and the vision and drive to build a program that becomes a cornerstone of the club's long-term player development strategy.
Working closely with the Academy Director and Head of Recruitment, the Pre-Academy Manager will establish a best-with-best training environment, build a trusted pre-academy scouting network across the Chicagoland area, and create the processes and culture that give every player the best possible chance of progressing into the U13 Academy.
Success in this role is defined by the quality, readiness, and number of players who successfully make that transition.
Job Responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Strategy
- Design, build, and lead Chicago Fire FC's Pre-Academy program.
- Develop and implement a training curriculum that reflects the club's game model.
- Establish a clear, well-understood player development pathway leading to U13 Academy intake.
- Set and maintain high, consistent standards across all Pre-Academy environments and activities.
- Continuously review and evolve the program, drawing on best practices in elite youth development.
Coaching & Player Development (Coach-Leader Role)
- Maintain a strong, visible on-field coaching presence across training sessions.
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate high-quality sessions that bring the club's playing philosophy to life.
- Create and sustain a genuinely competitive, best-with-best environment that raises the standard for every player.
- Implement and monitor Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that give each player a meaningful, personalised pathway.
- Lead structured player reviews and deliver honest, constructive feedback to players and their families.
- Champion a holistic, player-centered approach that keeps long-term development at the heart of every decision.
Talent Identification & Scouting
- Own and lead the Pre-Academy talent identification strategy, working closely with the Academy Head of Recruitment to shape recruitment priorities.
- Build, manage, and develop a network of local scouts and contacts, maintaining clear standards around:
- Consistent player identification criteria
- Regular, structured reporting and communication
- Alignment with the club's recruitment priorities and game model
- Be a visible presence in the Chicagoland soccer landscape, actively attending games, training sessions, and events to find the best young talent.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of high-potential players within the club's catchment area.
- Hold scouts accountable for the quality, consistency, and impact of their identification and recommendations.
- Organise and lead talent ID events, festivals, and recruitment initiatives that raise the club's profile and attract top players.
- Define clear, consistent processes for player entry, progression, and exit that give families confidence and give the Academy a reliable pipeline.
- Work closely with U13 Academy colleagues to ensure scouting outcomes directly inform intake decisions.
Staff Management & Development
- Recruit, lead, and manage Pre-Academy coaching staff with clarity and purpose.
- Set clear expectations around roles, responsibilities, and performance, and hold people to them.
- Design and deliver an ongoing coach development and CPD program that raises the quality of coaching across the program.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Methodology to ensure consistency and coherence across all Academy age groups.
- Build a coaching culture that is high-performing, accountable, and genuinely collaborative.
Relationships & Community Engagement
- Invest in building strong, lasting relationships with clubs, schools, community organisations, and key figures across the Chicagoland soccer landscape.
- Be a genuine ambassador for Chicago Fire FC, positioning the club as the destination of choice for the best young talent in the region.
- Support and educate parents, helping them understand the Academy pathway, what to expect, and how they can best support their child's development.
Operations & Collaboration
- Keep accurate, up-to-date records across player development, scouting, and recruitment.
- Attend and contribute actively to Academy meetings, fixtures, and events.
- Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team across performance, medical, analytics, and player care.
- Ensure full alignment with MLS NEXT standards and club operational procedures.
Safeguarding & Player Care
- Uphold the highest standards of player welfare, safeguarding, and well-being without exception.
- Ensure full compliance with all club, MLS, and U.S. Soccer safeguarding policies.
- Create and protect an environment where every player feels safe, included, and valued.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in youth player development or a similar role.
- US Soccer A license (UEFA A license equivalent) or advanced youth award.
- Strong proven experience in talent identification and scouting leadership.
- Must display a strong work ethic and desire to build a career in professional sports.
- Excellent understanding of long-term athlete development principles.
- Experience working within an MLS Academy, MLS NEXT environment, or equivalent academy setting.
- Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
- Travel and ability to work weekends/flexible hours required.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
Preferred Qualifications:
- An established network within the Chicagoland youth soccer landscape.
- Experience building or leading a program or department from inception.
- Experience designing and delivering coach education programs.
- Familiarity with player performance tracking and data systems.
Compensation:
- This role offers a salary range of $75,000.00 - $80,000.00.
- Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt.
- This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals.
- Additional benefits & perks: https://www.chicagofirefc.com/careers.
Please note:
Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at Peopleandculture@chicagofirefc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
MLS Privacy Policy:
- By clicking apply, you agree to the terms of the MLS Privacy Policy.