MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

Under the general direction of the General Manager, Assistant GM and Technical Director; the Manager, T2 Soccer Operations will be responsible to assist with the overall direction, planning, and execution of the Portland Timbers MLS Next Pro operations and administration along with assisting with the Portland Timbers MLS team operations and the Timbers Academy Operations. This role is responsible for managing all business aspects and relationships of the MLS Next Pro program. This position involves regular domestic travel, occasional international travel, and the ability to maintain a schedule in line with a sports team, including weekends and nights. This individual will help facilitate all day-to-day administration in the Soccer Operations Department under supervision of the Assistant General Manager and Director of Soccer Operations.

The Manager, Development Operations will help to manage and coordinate off field responsibilities for MLS Next Pro players, coaches, and staff. The Manager, Development Operations works for the Assistant General Manager and will assist and monitor the Coordinator, Development Operation overseeing these duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES to include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

GENERIC DUTIES

Oversee and manage all business aspects and day-to-day administration of the MLS Next Pro and Academy programs.
Assist with the management and administration of the Soccer Operations department along the Director of Soccer Operations.
Coordinate player appearances with players and front office staff
Manage schedules of all MLS Next Pro staff and players on a daily basis
Manage athlete relocation in and out of market for Timbers 2
Manage the MLS Next Pro and Academy calendar including training schedules, travel and home games
Coordinate Trialists accommodations in and out of market
Work closely with the Academy operations staff and assist when needed
Help oversee budgets for the MLS Next Pro team and the Academy teams
Help communicate player movement to MLS Team or MLS Next Pro based on the decisions made by the Head Coaches.
Ensure all players and staff are compliant with MLS and HR requirements (SafeSport Training, MLS University courses)
Collaborate and work cooperatively with MLS Next Pro league staff, MLS, and US Soccer.
Prepare contracts and register new players with US soccer, MLS and MLS Next Pro.
Maintain good standing with MLS Next Pro, MLS and USSF
Maintain healthy working relationships with all club coaches and staff
Be available for any special projects and special requests from the Assistant GM
Establish and build strong professional relationships with a wide array of individuals within the industry
Coordinate Timbers Stand Together events and make sure all players and staff participate in the events
Plan Timbers 2 Preseason along with Assistant GM and Timbers 2 Head Coach.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Assist with day-to-day administration of the MLS Next Pro program including:
Be liaison to MLS Next Pro and oversee Academy operations
Manage Roster administration and registrations
Manage logistics with league and exhibition matches
Being available for all Timbers 2 home and away matches
Work with Timbers HR department to onboard players to payroll and employee benefits
Send bi-weekly updates with player bonuses to Timbers Payroll
Assist and manage the MLS Next Pro budget with the Assistant General Manager
Ensure all communications are thorough and timely to Timbers 2 players and staff
Manage Visa application process for staff and international players
Maintain a professional relationship with our Immigration Lawyers and manage player and staff immigration under the development umbrella
Manage Kitman onboarding and day-to-day maintenance of platform
Work with the MLS team and Director of Soccer operations staff to ensure streamlined operations and collaborative communications between all groups

Lead the preparation and execution of preseason, home games and in-season travel of the MLS Next Pro team logistics and scheduling including but not limited to:
Flights
Hotels
Ground transportation
Per diem & Team Meal coordination (during travel and non-travel)
Manage relationships with airports, hotels, etc.
Collecting of all players documents required by club & league
Preseason planning and execution
Manage MLS Next Pro schedule
Be of service to all team operations departments while in travel with the team: EQ, medical, coaching, administrative.
Organizing reports for all team related expenses each trip and preseason
Work with the commercial and operations departments on game operations requirements for the MLS Next Pro and Academy home fixtures
Work with the Assistant GM on the submission and tracking of the MLS Next Pro budget including all team and staff expenses.
Manage MLS Next Pro away team requests when in home market including Training locations/times, coordinate ticket requests for players and staff, and game day administration

Assist with day-to-day administration for Soccer Ops department including:
Being available for all Timbers home matches (when possible)
Ensuring no schedule conflicts occurs at training facility
Scheduling with league on match location & times
Maintaining professional relationship with US Soccer and leagues
Manage and oversee the paperwork and communication with MLS Next Pro, MLS and USSF

Player Support duties:
Assisting players in and out market
Assist with all immigration matters and issues
Assist with arranging transportation for players to/from training
Manage MLS Next Pro team housing to ensure players receive professional treatment
Manage Housing and Relocation Budgets
Managing MLS University courses and ensuring all players take the required modules by the league
Ensuring all players have completed SafeSport training
Acquiring necessary Visas and ITCs for incoming players
Reporting on English school progress, and arranging tutors if necessary
Ensuring all players understand their medical insurance benefits
Assisting in tickets and credentials for MLS & MLS Next Pro matches
Assist with communication with International Players

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and other management as required

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Oversee all outward facing programs and communication of the MLS Next Pro program and the Timbers Academy program along with the Coordinator, Academy Operations
Interact with members of the public and soccer community in a positive and respectful way as to protect and enhance the brand
Attend as necessary, events when needed to promote Timbers programs or act as a Club ambassador
Thoroughly communicate with all parents/guardians regarding team plans, schedule, performance, etc.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Previous USL/MLS Next Pro/Academy Administrative experience
Proven history of assisting and developing players in a setting with multiple stakeholders
Experience within a high-level academy system
High level administrative experience within a development model
Demonstrated administrative and organizational abilities to manage multiple programs and priorities, including event and long-range planning
Demonstrated capability to operate varied software packages on Mac and PC platforms
Demonstrated ability to work with video software
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred
Proficiency in all Microsoft Office and Adobe programs (including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop)
Knowledge and working experience of the leagues that Timbers participate (MLS Next Pro, MLS, and USSF)
Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management (Preferred)
Be able to work under pressure for long hours
Display superb organizational skills
Experience handling budgets and expense reports
Flexibility to work on evenings, weekends and holidays
Experience designing strategic plans and executing them.
Be extremely diligent and meticulous
Support the Timbers foundation and community initiatives
Be prepared with a back-up plan for all Operations and Equipment related issues
Must manage personalities and develop professional relationships inside locker room with all players and staff
Ongoing awareness and responsiveness to staff, player, and parents’ satisfaction
Ability to think quickly and attentive to details

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position is considered exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.

The Timbers organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

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.

Manager, Timbers2 Soccer Operations