General Manager, MLS NEXT

Major League Soccer•New York, NY

10d•$200,000 - $240,000•Onsite

About The Position

Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and inclusion, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both on and off the field. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. With the addition of the new MLS NEXT Academy Division in 2025, membership for the 2025-26 season will include 30 MLS academies, 243 Elite Academies (273 total clubs), 2,189 teams and over 43,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and Más+ by Messi. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext . Major League Soccer is looking for a dedicated, passionate, and experienced individual to grow and lead MLS NEXT. The General Manager, MLS NEXT will be responsible for managing and implementing MLS NEXT and MLS GO (MLS’s recreational youth program) programs to continuously improve and elevate the quality of competition, talent identification, education, compliance, and club membership. The role requires vision, the ability to lead team members and external core collaborators, operating discipline, excellent communications skills, flexibility, as well as a strategic and innovative approach.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required; Sporting Licenses and Credentials preferred
12+ years of experience in a leadership role, with responsibilities in strategy, competition management, and technical development
Relevant working experience in the sports industry
Demonstrated leadership and management capability
Commitment to high quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance
Excellent people skills, with an ability to interact effectively and in a professional and diplomatic manner with internal and external team members at all levels
Experience building sports and entertainment properties and events
Highly organized with excellent project coordination and project management skills
Resourceful, quick learner and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, team environment
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing
Demonstrated decision making and problem-solving skills
Meticulous with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Ability to travel and to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Spanish Language (business proficiency)
Understanding of the North American youth soccer and sports landscape
Knowledge of the sport of soccer

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee governance and communication across all MLS NEXT member clubs, including all member calls and selected member committees
Manage and oversee execution of plans against the five pillars of the MLS NEXT platform: Competition, Talent ID, Education, Individual Development, and Environment
Lead relationships with cross functional teams who support MLS NEXT including Compliance, Legal, Events, Social, Content, Comms, Brand, Consumer Products, and Events MLS NEXT
Lead on legal related topics including compliance for governing policies, investigations and discipline, policy enforcement, and insurance coverage (in consultation with Technical Director, MLS NEXT on decisions requiring technical input)
Lead relationship with Partnership Marketing/Business Development and liaise with partners on delivery and growth of commercial programs, with a key focus on generating revenue while maintaining MLS NEXT development principles and over indexing for the adidas enterprise partnership
Lead MLS NEXT commercial aspects including Marketing, Broadcast, Events, Social, etc.
In collaboration with the Technical Director, MLS NEXT: Lead implementation of future evolution of MLS NEXT events
Drive the long-term strategy and planning process for MLS NEXT
Manage and oversee MLS NEXT budget, collaborating with Technical Director, MLS NEXT on prioritization
Oversee MLS NEXT Club Evaluation process, including expansion and remediation
Implement and deliver sporting development initiatives, including technical guidance and standards as set forth by both MLS and MLS NEXT Technical Directors (example includes ‘Quality of Play’ initiative)
Manage and implement technology and data tools for MLS NEXT with support and input from Technical Directors of both MLS and MLS NEXT
Oversee team within MLS NEXT and MLS GO including hiring and development of MLS NEXT and MLS GO administrative and operations staff
Manage hiring and onboarding process by interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees
Accomplish team results by communicating job expectations and leading the Performance Management process: Plan, monitor, and review performance
Coach and counsel employees
Develop and implement department procedures and productivity standards and reinforce Company policies
Develop personal growth opportunities for employees by providing a challenging, learning environment that incorporates external opportunities to meet with other organizations
Attract, develop, and empower a successful organization with a strong, values-based culture