VP, Game Operations

About the Opportunity

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is one of the fastest-growing professional sports leagues in the U.S., powered by 16 clubs and a deep roster of the world's best players, and built on record-shattering fan, media and commercial growth. Now in its 13th season, the league's momentum continues to accelerate, with viewership and attendance numbers growing rapidly, social media fandom on the rise, team valuations massively increasing and new top sponsors investing in the NWSL brand.

This unprecedented growth in audience, media reach, and franchise value reflects the NWSL's expanding fan base and increasing dominance in the sports-media landscape and popular culture. The future of the NWSL is now - and we're looking for world-class talent like you to help us continue the momentum.

The Role

The Vice President, Game Operations is an executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer . This role is responsible for defining and executing the comprehensive strategic vision for match day operations, security, competition integrity, and large-scale event management across the entire NWSL ecosystem. You will serve as the league's most senior operational leader, ensuring all on-field competition is executed with world-class professionalism and compliance.

What You Will OwnDrive

The VP, Game Operations will define, own, and execute the following critical functions at an executive level:

• StrategicPolicy Leadership: Lead the Operations team into its next phase of growth during a critical juncture, establishing new systems and processes to establish best-in-class game day experience and ensure competition integrity.
• Gameday OperationsSecurity: Establish and enforce world-class operational standards for all NWSL matches, covering stadium operations, safety protocols, field conditions, and the overall player and fan experience. Ensure consistency, compliance and quality across all clubs. Oversee the development, refinement, and strict enforcement of all competition rules and policies.
• Executive Club Liaison: Serve as the primary executive contact for Club Presidents, General Managers, and Ownership on critical operational and compliance matters, ensuring strong communication and partnership.
• Major Event Execution: Directly oversee the planning and execution of all major league events, including the NWSL Championship, NWSL Challenge Cup, NWSL Combine, and associated tournaments, guaranteeing flawless execution.
• Officiating: Oversee operational and administrative support for league officiating functions. Primary liaison with Professional Referee Organization (PRO) to drive officiating improvements to meet demanding standards of the League.
• Scheduling: Lead the strategic planning and tactical scheduling of all game-day events, ensuring optimal resource allocation, venue efficiency, and seamless coordination across all internal and external operations teams (e.g., security, broadcast, logistics).
• Operations Manual: Oversee the compliance to and updating of the Operations Manual, including policies and decisions around player, team, and league disciplinary issues.
• Technology: Manage broadcast and in-game technology integration, establishing the league as a premium and innovative partner ahead of upcoming media rights negotiations
• Departmental Leadership: Manage, mentor, and lead the Operations department staff, fostering a culture of accountability, urgency, and operational excellence.
• BudgetResource Management: Develop, manage, and execute the annual departmental budget, strategically optimizing resources for staffing, equipment, and technology.

What You Will Bring

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Sports Management, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in professional sports administration, competition management, or large-scale event operations.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team while driving strategic initiatives.
• Exceptional executive presence, strategic planning, complex project management, and verbal/written communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of US Soccer as they pertain to competition structure, operations, and field standards.
• Able and willing to travel frequently (up to 50%) and work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly during the competitive season.

Preferred Qualifications

• Executive Presence: Possesses a strong, credible, and positive executive image that effectively represents the NWSL brand to internal stakeholders and external partners (including club owners).
• Integrity: Guided by the highest moral and ethical principles, demonstrating executive accountability for all actions and decisions affecting competition.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Proven experience partnering with departments such as Broadcast, Legal, and Commercial to ensure operational decisions align with league business objectives.

Our Investment in You

In addition to working in an incredible, inclusive, and committed-to-diversity culture, we offer:

• Competitive Compensation: $200,000 - $250,000 (Salary is contingent upon candidate qualifications and functional business needs).
• TimeFlexibility: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), sick days, and an end-of-year office closure.
• Hybrid Work Model: Three days in-office in NYC and two remote days per week.
• Robust Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health benefits for employees and dependents.
• Financial Future: 401k with employer match and safe harbor contributions.
• Additional Perks: Commuter benefits, Short/Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Voluntary Pet Insurance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The NWSL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are deeply committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. All employment decisions-including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, and termination-are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].