Sporting Director

Sporting Director

The Island FC is building a new professional soccer club on Long Island, launching as an independent MLS NEXT Pro franchise in 2027, with a long-term vision to establish a women's professional team. The club is anchored by two MLS NEXT clubs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, alongside a Girls Academy, serving a population of over three million residents and providing a true Island-wide player development pathway built around a high-performance, development-driven model. With close proximity to New York City and access to players, professionals, and global football networks, this is a rare opportunity to build a club from its foundation

defining its football identity, player model, and long-term competitive strategy from day one.
The Opportunity

The Island FC is seeking a Sporting Director to lead all aspects of the club's football operations, including defining its playing identity, constructing the inaugural roster, and building a fully integrated youth-to-professional pathway aligned with the club's long-term vision. The Sporting Director will oversee all football operations

including roster construction, recruitment, and technical infrastructure

in alignment with ownership's objectives. This role requires balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term player development, building a roster capable of competing within MLS NEXT Pro while establishing a sustainable pathway for player progression and long-term squad development. Beyond the first team, the role includes shaping an integrated development model that connects all levels of the club into a cohesive and scalable system. This is an opportunity to build a lasting football infrastructure

creating a complete player development ecosystem for Long Island.
Key Responsibilities

The Sporting Director will be responsible for the following:
Sporting Strategy & Identity

Define and implement the club's football philosophy, ensuring alignment across recruitment, player development, and first-team performance
Establish a unified sporting model connecting all levels of the club within a consistent framework
Partner with ownership and executive leadership to align on football identity and roster philosophy
Player Recruitment & Roster Construction

Build a roster strategy that prioritizes top Long Island and regional talent while strategically integrating domestic and international players
Lead all player identification, scouting, and recruitment for the inaugural roster
Build an inaugural roster capable of competing within MLS NEXT Pro, balancing emerging youth talent with experienced players
Build pipelines across MLS NEXT Pro, USL, college, academy, and international markets
Align recruitment strategy with the club's development model to ensure continuity in player profiles and long-term squad building
Identify value within budget constraints through trialists, free agents, waivers, and targeted acquisitions
Build and manage relationships with domestic and international clubs to support player loans, transfers, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the roster and long-term player pipeline
Player Development & Pathway

Lead the integration of an existing youth infrastructure across Nassau and Suffolk Counties into a unified, club-aligned development model
Build and oversee a true youth-to-professional pathway designed to identify and develop top talent from Long Island
Ensure alignment between player development, first-team requirements, and recruitment strategy
Establish a player-centered model emphasizing accountability, growth, and progression both on and off the field
Manage inbound and outbound loans and affiliate relationships
Integrate player development with a defined player trading and asset creation strategy
Lead the development of international pathway initiatives, including a residential model designed to attract foreign-based players into a structured student-athlete pipeline from youth through college and into the professional game
Technical Operations & Compliance

Manage roster construction in compliance with MLS NEXT Pro rules and salary structures
Oversee contracts, registrations, and player documentation
Lead international transfers, FIFA clearances, and USSF compliance
Navigate league mechanisms, player eligibility, and roster regulations
Leadership & Department Buildout

Lead the hiring of the inaugural Head Coach in partnership with ownership
Lead and align coaching staff across all levels of the club, establishing consistency in playing philosophy, standards, and player development from youth through the professional team
Build and manage a lean technical staff and scouting infrastructure
Foster alignment across coaching, performance, medical, and recruitment functions
Align coaching staff, front office, and ownership on roster strategy and execution
Serve as the primary point of contact with agents, clubs, and league stakeholders
Analytics & Scouting Infrastructure

Integrate data, video analysis, and performance insights into recruitment and player development
Develop analytical frameworks to support decision-making across recruitment, performance, and progression
Performance Expectations

The Sporting Director will be evaluated across the following core areas:
Staff Leadership & Infrastructure Buildout
Roster Construction & Talent Identification
Player Development & Pathway Success
Competitive Performance
Strategic Alignment with Ownership
Qualifications

Experience as a Sporting Director, Assistant Sporting Director, or senior technical leader within a professional club
Deep knowledge of player identification at the USL/lower-division and international levels
Strong understanding of MLS NEXT Pro, USL, and the North American development ecosystem
Established domestic and international network, including relationships in Europe and South America
Proven experience in roster construction, talent valuation, and recruitment within budget constraints
Experience working with players transitioning from academy or collegiate levels
Strong understanding of player trading models, including MLS mechanisms and international markets
Experience with loans, transfers, and contract negotiations
Familiarity with scouting and analytics platforms (Wyscout, Hudl, InStat)
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Comfortable operating in a build-from-scratch, resource-conscious environment
Why The Island FC

This is an opportunity to define the football identity of a professional club from its inception. Long Island provides a unique platform to build a true Island-wide football pathway. Positioned within the New York metro area and rooted in one of the country's richest soccer communities, The Island FC sits within a region that offers direct proximity to elite players, coaches, executives, and global football networks. For the right candidate, this role offers the opportunity to shape a defining chapter of their career while building a lasting legacy across Long Island

creating a true Island-wide pathway and a sustainable model for long-term success. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.