HARTFORD ATHLETIC – SPORTING DIRECTOR

Job Title: Sporting Director

Location: Hartford/In Person

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To (Role): Direct to Chairman on sporting matters, dotted line to Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer for commercial & financial matters

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Sporting Director (“SD”) is responsible to build and manage the coaching, recruiting, and performance aspects of Hartford Athletic to create a championship environment and sustained success.

Hartford Athletic is seeking a leader with experience in managing the technical, administrative, and organizational aspects of high-performance soccer. Reporting to the Chairman, with a dotted line to the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) for commercial & financial matters, the SD will manage the First Team Head Coach and be responsible for managing all of Hartford Athletics’ soccer operations.

This includes:

• Scouting and recruitment
• Performance data and analysis
• Medical, sports science, and mental performance
• Player Care
• All soccer-related administrative functions

The SD will support coaches and staff, design staffing structures, oversee performance, and develop management and succession plans.

The SD will ensure that all soccer functions are executed with excellence, and that standards/targets are reviewed with the Chairman, COO and CFO and communicated to staff in a way that ensures accountability and that match the organization’s goal of being a perennial championship contender.

The SD will develop, institutionalize and document the club’s sporting identity and communicate this philosophy to stakeholders across the organization and the HA soccer community. The sporting identity will be based on game models, sporting philosophies, styles of play, positional archetypes, and KPIs agreed upon with the Chairman, with the goal of building a consistent and stable long-term identity.

The SD will collaborate with stakeholders across the club, including the Academy and the W League team – to help inspire alignment with the sporting identity.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

BOARD REPORTING

Provide written reports to the Chairman, COO and CFO as well as the Board, detailing strategic initiatives and documented progress against KPIs.

STRATEGIC SUPPORT OF HEAD COACH

Serve as the liaison between the Head Coach and other departments to ensure objectives are met in a timely and effective manner. This includes identifying and resolving bottlenecks that hinder progress, as well as anticipating and preparing for challenges and changes during a season. The SD will lead the Head Coach and staff on player identification, acquisition and

roster building.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Oversee and lead projects as assigned by the Chairman, COO and CFO.

FRONT OFFICE LIASON

The SD will interact on day-to-day initiatives with the front office, including social media posts, interviews, player coaching and SD appearances.

DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP OF DIRECT REPORTS

Create a culture of respect, accountability, and opportunity for professional growth.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates should have the following qualifications:
• Extensive playing, coaching, or management experience in professional soccer.
• Successful track record of sporting or technical leadership in professional soccer.
• Exceptional leadership, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working effectively with high-performing coaches.
• Demonstrated history of integrity in conduct and ethical decision-making.
• Familiarity with the overall landscape of USL/North American soccer.
• Advanced coaching licenses and other advanced educational or technical certifications
• are preferred.