Director of CFII & Academy Team Operations

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. 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:The Director of Fire II & Academy Team Operations is responsible for the daily team operations supporting the club's MLS NEXT Pro (MLSNP) Fire II team and Academy teams. This role ensures that players, coaches, and staff across the player pathway have everything they need to train, compete, and develop in a world-class environment. They should be able to proactively address operational issues before they arise and build scalable systems / processes across several age groups to best support Fire II & the Academy’s player development priorities. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:Contribute to the overall vision, mission, and values of Chicago Fire FC. Oversee all logistics for Fire II (MLS NEXT Pro) & Academy team operations, including (1) daily operations at the training facility, (2) home games, and (3) away games (incl. air & ground travel, hotels, meals, per diems, and itinerary management for preseason, regular season, and domestic and international tournaments). Serves as the connector between Fire II & Academy departments to ensure smooth operations and that everyone has the support they need to be successful: technical staff, player wellness staff (medical, physical, nutrition, mindset), facilities staff, first team staff, etc. Directly manage the Fire II & Academy team administrators, providing daily oversight, supporting their performance, and investing in their development. Manage Fire II operational budget and support Academy Director in management of Academy operational budget, tracking against forecast and giving regular updates to General Manager. Ensure that the Academy & Fire II team operations department’s standards, templates, and processes are in alignment with the First Team and introduce new ideas to continue to elevate and streamline while working closely with General Manager. Manage external operational relationships: bus companies, airport contacts, hotels, tournament organizers, etc. Support Academy Director with execution of family communication logisticsSupport Academy Director with execution of any homestay or player assistance needs (e. QUALIFICATIONSMinimum of 5 years of experience in team operations, ideally within professional MLS NEXT Pro, MLS Academy, or a comparable pro / youth pathway environment. Demonstrated experience managing complex team travel logistics (domestic and, ideally, international). Proven budget management experience. Prior experience directly managing staff, including setting priorities, conducting performance reviews, and developing direct reports. Excellent organizational, project management, and vendor negotiation skills. Experience working within MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, or MLS NEXT, with familiarity with league operational and compliance standards. Experience managing multiple age-group programs simultaneously. Experience with team management software/platforms (e.g., Teamworks). Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays aligned with team training and competition schedules. Conversational Spanish language fluency preferred. COMPENSATION:This role offers a salary of up to $70,000.00. Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. 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. benefits and training. application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at [email protected] 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.