Regional Refereeing Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

The Regional Referee Development Lead for the designated region leads the delivery of the U.S. Referee Development Academy within their region and serves as the link between U.S. Soccer’s national refereeing strategy and regional delivery. The position balances academy delivery with broader state alignment and support, helping State Referee Committees and local organizations implement national programs consistently and strengthen the overall referee ecosystem.

Working closely with State Referee Committees, local referee organizations, and regional academies, the position supports alignment with national programs, strengthens delivery, and gathers feedback to improve how refereeing is delivered across the country.

Coordinates referees, coaches, and development activity across weekly matches, monthly touchpoints, and regional events, ensuring a consistent and practical approach to referee development. Ensures activity is tracked through the intelligence platform, with coaching, evaluation, and development processes applied consistently.

Supports the regional coaching network by allocating coaches, guiding delivery, and maintaining consistent coaching standards. Coordinates national evaluation requests and guides the assignment of referees to academy-linked development opportunities, aligning opportunities to referee readiness and program objectives.

Contributes to talent identification and progression processes by providing performance insight, observations, and recommendations to support national decision-making.

Works closely with national refereeing staff to ensure regional delivery aligns with national standards, while providing clear insight and feedback from the region to support ongoing development and improvement of national programs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with State Referee Committees, local referee organizations, and regional academies to support alignment with U.S. Soccer refereeing strategy.
• Support the local delivery of national programs, including education, coaching, evaluation, and referee safety, working with state and local leadership to ensure consistent and practical implementation.
• Gather structured feedback from regional stakeholders and provide clear input to national staff to support ongoing improvement of refereeing programs.
• Coordinate weekly refereeing activity and monthly coaching touchpoints to support continuous development.
• Coordinate the educational and developmental aspects of the U.S. Referee Development Academy, ensuring alignment to national standards, structure, and expectations.
• Work with the operational team to ensure all logistics and operational delivery for academy events are coordinated centrally through U.S. Soccer.
• Manage and coordinate the regional coaching network, working with stakeholders to allocate coaches, oversee delivery, and maintain consistent coaching standards.
• Coordinate and guide the assignment of referees to academy-linked matches and events, aligning opportunities to referee readiness and program objectives.
• Contribute to the referee intelligence platform, ensuring consistent tracking, accurate data, and effective use of insights to inform coaching and development within the region
• Manage the national assessment request process, ensuring timely delivery, appropriate coach allocation, and consistent application through RefEval.
• Identify referees for academy entry and progression, providing performance data, observations, and recommendations to support national selection decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience delivering referee development or coaching within a structured pathway at state, national, or professional level.
• Strong understanding of the IFAB Laws of the Game and referee performance standards.
• Experience observing and supporting match officials in live match environments.
• Experience implementing and coordinating development programs across multiple organizations or regions.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build alignment across a regional structure.
• Strong operational skills, including planning, prioritization, and delivery across multiple workstreams.
• Ability to interpret performance information to support development and identification decisions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work across technical, operational, and leadership groups.
• Ability to operate in evolving environments and build structure where needed.
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Willingness to travel regionally and work in live competition environments.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working within a national referee development system.
• Experience using video analysis and performance tracking tools.
• Experience supporting or contributing to talent identification and advancement processes.
• Experience working with volunteer coach networks.
• Background as a high-level referee or referee coach.

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

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.