Director, Equipment Operations & Partnerships

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION 1•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Director, Equipment Operations & Partnerships will lead the strategic oversight of equipment operations for U.S. Soccer’s Senior National Teams, operating at the intersection of elite performance, global brand partnership, and commercial execution. This role extends beyond traditional equipment management, serving as the primary liaison between high-performance team environments and key partners, including Nike and U.S. Soccer’s Commercial team. The Director, Equipment Operations & Partnerships will align product strategy, athlete servicing, campaign activations, and long-term forecasting within global development and manufacturing timelines, while coordinating with Director, Equipment Operations to oversee value-in-kind management, FIFA compliance requirements, and international logistics. They will ensure that Senior National Teams are equipped to perform at the highest level, particularly in preparation for major global competitions and work with National Training Center leadership to manage equipment operations for all NTC needs. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of the global soccer landscape and experience working with major apparel brands or commercial partners, combined with strong operational discipline and strategic foresight. This leader will confidently advise on product feedback and lifecycle planning while remaining hands-on when needed. High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust across athletes, coaches, commercial stakeholders, and Federation leadership are essential. In collaboration with the Director, Equipment Operations, this individual will help shape the future structure, standards, and strategic direction of equipment services across U.S. Soccer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
Minimum 10 years' experience managing equipment and inventory, preferably in professional sports or university athletics
Management experience, combined with an understanding of international travel environments
Experience in managing a budget
Detail oriented and meticulous work style, with positive, can-do, team-first spirit
Excellent work ethic and relentless desire to contribute to the team’s success on the field
Ability to anticipate needs and problem solve
Ability to maintain a strong level of professionalism and effective communication
General knowledge of soccer
Ability to lift and handle boxes weighing upwards of 50 lbs.
Experience developing and implementing a department-wide strategy aligned with broader organizational goals
The ability to work independently and in a team/collaborative work environment is required along with strong organizational, interpersonal, analytical and planning skills
Quick learner who can function well in fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
Ability to prioritize and manage a number of different projects simultaneously
Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
Able and willing to travel up to 25% of the year
Extensive work hours required while traveling
Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed

Nice To Haves

Thorough institutional knowledge of U.S. Soccer's policies, practices, and procedures
Prior experience with a club, national team, or related field
Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Responsibilities

Lead Equipment Department Staff, including EQ Managers for MNT and WNT, and gather feedback from players and staff on the quality and use of equipment
Develop and implement the EQ Department’s strategy, aligned with the overall sporting and operations strategy
Conduct performance reviews and facilitate goal setting with direct reports
Create and implement individualized development plans (IDP) to support professional growth
Create and foster relationships with related vendors
Guide partnership with equipment partner (Nike) to maximize U.S. Soccer's needs related to apparel trends, product launch, product positioning and sales
Lead Nike Futures purchases on a quarterly basis based on Nike purchase cycle and forecasted U.S. Soccer needs
Oversee and Manage the EQ department’s budget and the Value-in-Kind (VIK) for Nike agreement
Support U.S. Soccer Federation equipment requests across all departments
Interface with all U.S. Soccer functional areas to coordinate equipment needs and be proactive in determining advance needs for National Teams and other U.S. Soccer services (Coaching Department, Scouting Staff, AGM & Special Events, etc.)
Collaborate with Commercial departments to support contracted Partner equipment needs and appropriate launch dates
Maintain a tracking system to monitor internal requests (for gifts, equipment, and apparel)
Responsible for acquiring, organizing, and overseeing the distribution of Senior National Team Equipment, including Nike apparel and equipment, and team training and medical equipment
Remain up to date with FIFA rules and equipment protocol regulations
Serve as the secondary emergency contact on a 24/7 basis for any shipping or critical needs that arise for traveling teams, staff, etc.
Maintain proactive communication and positive relationships with Senior National Team administrative and coaching personnel
Liaise with freight vendors on domestic and international movements
Responsible for planning out long-term cost projections and enforcing departmental purchasing guidelines based on those projections and budget
Produce clear and concise reports tracking product allotment dispersal, inventory, staff schedules, shipping, and financial reports, etc.
Track and verify invoices and accounts for all purchases and freight costs, while managing expenses and finding effective ways to limit cost
Act as main on-site contact regarding any facility, field, or equipment needs/issues that arise at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center
Maintain accurate inventory on equipment and supplies at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center
Support the planning and build-out of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, advising on equipment and team needs
Ascertain all EQ facility/storage capacity needs based on operational plan
Additional duties as assigned

Benefits

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

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