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Job description
NCAA Olympic Sports League – Lead Elite Athletic Competition
About Us
We are launching a transformational professional and youth sports league with $2.5 billion in equity capital being raised . Our mission is to revolutionize Olympic sports in America by creating a sustainable ecosystem that spans professional competition, comprehensive youth development, and world‑class infrastructure.
Our Scope & Scale:
School Partnerships: Licensing NCAA Division I brands from 50 schools in Year 1, scaling to 300 schools by Year 6
Sports Coverage: 12 Olympic sports (soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, baseball, softball, and more)
Geographic Reach: 4 regions, 200+ teams competing across the United States
Professional Athletes: 5,000+ professional athletes competing at the highest level
Competition Structure: 4 regions with 50 teams each, competing mid‑August through mid‑May
Season: 9‑month professional season with regional and national championships
Integrated Model: Professional teams paired with youth development programs (U17‑U23 travel with pros)
The Collegiate Sports Leadership Challenge:
Team Operations: Oversee 200+ professional teams across 12 Olympic sports (50 teams in Year 1)
Coaching Excellence: Recruit and develop 800+ head and assistant coaches across all sports
Elite Athletes: Recruit 5,000+ professional athletes representing NCAA school brands
Competitive Success: Deliver high‑quality professional competition that excites fans and elevates Olympic sports
Multi‑Sport Coordination: Manage operations across 12 different sports simultaneously
School Integration: Work with 300 NCAA schools to represent their brands with excellence
Performance Systems: Build world‑class training, sports medicine, nutrition, and performance programs
Championship Culture: Create winning culture and competitive excellence across all teams
Talent Development: Develop pathways from college to professional level in Olympic sports
Global Standards: Establish professional standards that rival international competition
This is the most ambitious multi‑sport professional league launch in history, requiring world‑class athletic leadership.
Position Overview
The VP of Collegiate (Pro) Sports will be the senior executive responsible for all professional team operations, coaching, athlete recruitment, performance, and competitive excellence across all 12 Olympic sports. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be the guardian of athletic quality—ensuring every team represents its school brand with distinction and delivers world‑class professional competition.
This role requires a unique combination of elite coaching/athletic leadership experience, multi‑sport operational expertise, talent evaluation skills, and the ability to build high‑performance systems at unprecedented scale.
Compensation Package: $950,000 total compensation
Base Salary: $550,000
Performance Bonus: $200,000 (target, tied to competitive success and team performance)
Equity Grant: $200,000 annually (vesting over 4 years)
Key Responsibilities
1. Professional Sports Strategy & Vision
Athletic Vision: Develop and execute comprehensive vision for professional competition across all sports
Competitive Standards: Establish standards for elite professional competition that: Rivals international competition in Olympic sports
Elevates visibility and credibility of Olympic sports in America
Creates compelling fan experiences and media content
Develops athletes for Olympic and international competition
Honors NCAA school brands with excellence
Multi‑Sport Strategy: Balance resource allocation across 12 sports
Performance Goals: Set ambitious but achievable performance targets: Team winning percentages and competitive balance
Individual athlete development and Olympic qualification
Fan attendance and engagement metrics
School satisfaction with team performance
Competitive Philosophy: Define league’s competitive philosophy (competitive balance vs. dynasties, player development focus, etc.)
Long‑Term Planning: 5‑year strategic plan for athletic excellence
2. Sport‑Specific Operations & Leadership
Sport Directors: Recruit and lead Sport Directors for each of 12 sports Soccer (Men’s & Women’s)
Volleyball (Men’s & Women’s Indoor, Beach)
Lacrosse (Men’s & Women’s)
Hockey (Men’s & Women’s)
Baseball
Softball
Additional Sports (as added)
Sport Director Responsibilities: Each Sport Director oversees: All teams in their sport (50‑300 teams depending on year)
Head coach recruitment and performance
Competition standards and rules interpretation
Sport‑specific training and development
Equipment and facility standards
Championship planning
Relationship with national governing body (US Soccer, USA Volleyball, etc.)
Sport Budgets: Manage sport‑specific budgets and resource allocation
Sport Strategy: Unique strategies for each sport based on competitive landscape
Equipment Partnerships: Work with equipment partners on sport‑specific needs
3. Coaching Recruitment & Development
Coaching Excellence: Build premier coaching organization across all sports
Head Coach Recruitment: Recruit elite head coaches for all teams Year 1: 50+ head coaches (across 12 sports at 50 schools)
Year 6: 200+ head coaches (multiple sports at 300 schools)
Profile: Former college coaches, national team coaches, professional coaches, elite club coaches
Compensation: Competitive packages to attract top coaching talent
Assistant Coaches: Recruit 400‑600+ assistant coaches
Coach Evaluation: Establish coaching evaluation criteria Win‑loss record and competitive performance
Athlete development and Olympic qualifications
Team culture and conduct
Fan engagement and community relations
School satisfaction
Coach Development: Build comprehensive coach development program Annual coaching summit and education
Sport‑specific coaching clinics
Leadership development for coaches
Technology and analytics training
Best practice sharing
Coach Support: Resources and support for coaching success Video analysis tools
Performance analytics
Recruiting support
Administrative assistance
Performance Management: Annual coach reviews and contract renewals
4. Athlete Recruitment & Contracts
Athlete Recruitment: Lead recruitment of professional athletes for all teams
Recruitment Strategy: College Athletes: Recent college graduates and former NCAA athletes
International Athletes: Top international athletes in Olympic sports
Club Athletes: Elite club athletes ready for professional competition
Transfer Athletes: Athletes from other professional leagues
Recruitment Process: Talent identification and evaluation
Tryouts and combines (sport‑specific)
Performance assessments
Contract negotiations
School assignment and team placement
Athlete Allocation: Design system for allocating athletes to school teams Draft system (potential)
School priority selection
Competitive balance considerations
Geographic preferences
Roster requirements by sport
Athlete Contracts: Oversee athlete contract structure Salary ranges and compensation tiers
Performance bonuses and incentives
Benefits (health insurance, housing, training)
Contract length and terms
Olympic and international competition leave
Roster Management: Manage roster sizes and requirements Minimum and maximum roster sizes by sport
Age restrictions (professional level)
Eligibility requirements
Injury reserves and roster moves
5. Team Operations & Support
Team Operations Standards: Establish standards for professional team operations
Game Day Operations: Ensure professional game day experiences Pre‑game preparation and warm‑ups
Team facilities and locker rooms
Medical staff and athletic training coverage
Equipment and uniform standards
Travel logistics and accommodations
Post‑game protocols
Practice Operations: Standards for practice facilities and schedules Minimum practice facility requirements
Practice frequency and duration
Off‑season training programs
Access to strength and conditioning
Team Staff: Support staff for each team Athletic trainers
Strength and conditioning coaches
Team managers/operations staff
Equipment managers
Video coordinators
Regional Coordination: Coordinate operations across 4 regions Regional athletic directors or coordinators
Shared resources and best practices
Regional championships
6. Sports Medicine & Athletic Training
Medical Program: Build comprehensive sports medicine program
Athletic Training: Athletic trainer for every team Year 1: 50+ certified athletic trainers
Year 6: 200+ athletic trainers
Qualifications: BOC certified, sport‑specific experience preferred
Team Physicians: Network of team physicians Primary care sports medicine physicians
Orthopedic surgeons
On‑call coverage for games and emergencies
Injury Prevention: Evidence‑based injury prevention programs Movement screening and assessment
Corrective exercise and prehab
Load management and recovery protocols
Education for athletes and coaches
Injury Management: Comprehensive injury care Immediate injury assessment and care
Treatment and rehabilitation
Return‑to‑play protocols
Second opinion process
Insurance and workers compensation coordination
Medical Technology: Cutting‑edge medical technology Injury tracking and reporting systems
Rehabilitation equipment
Recovery modalities (ice baths, compression, etc.)
Telemedicine for remote consultations
Medical Partnerships: Partner with leading medical institutions Regional medical centers and hospitals
Sports medicine clinics
Imaging facilities
Surgical centers
7. Strength & Conditioning
S&C Program: Build elite strength and conditioning program
S&C Coaches: Recruit certified strength coaches CSCS certification required
Sport‑specific training experience
1‑2 S&C coaches per sport per region
Training Philosophy: Evidence‑based training approach Periodization and program design
Olympic lifting and power development
Speed and agility training
Flexibility and mobility
Energy system development
Facilities: Strength and conditioning facilities Weight rooms at team training facilities
Olympic platforms and free weights
Conditioning equipment
Recovery equipment
Performance Testing: Regular performance testing Baseline assessments
In‑season monitoring
Post‑season testing
Benchmarks and progress tracking
Nutrition Integration: Coordinate with nutrition program
8. Sports Nutrition
Nutrition Program: Comprehensive sports nutrition program
Sports Dietitians: Registered dietitians for athlete nutrition Team or regional sports dietitians
RD certification with sports nutrition specialty
Individualized nutrition counseling
Fueling Strategy: Optimize athlete fueling Daily nutrition planning
Pre‑game and post‑game fueling
Travel nutrition
Supplement education and policy
Hydration strategies
Dining Programs: Team meals and dining Pre‑game meals
Post‑game recovery meals
Training table or meal stipends
Food safety and quality
Body Composition: Healthy body composition management Body composition assessments
Sport‑specific targets
Education on healthy weight management
9. Sports Science & Analytics
Performance Analytics: Build sports science and analytics capability
Data Collection: Comprehensive performance data GPS and wearable technology (Catapult, STATSports)
Heart rate monitoring
Sleep tracking
Wellness questionnaires
Video analysis
Game statistics
Analysis & Insights: Turn data into actionable insights Training load monitoring
Injury risk prediction
Recovery optimization
Performance benchmarking
Opponent analysis
Game strategy insights
Technology Platform: Integrated performance platform Centralized data warehouse
Dashboards for coaches and staff
Athlete self‑service portals
Research and innovation
Sport Scientists: Hire sport scientists and analysts PhD or Master’s in sport science, exercise physiology, biomechanics
Data analytics expertise
Sport‑specific knowledge
10. Athlete Services & Support
Athlete Experience: Create exceptional athlete experience
Career Development: Support athletes beyond sport Career counseling and planning
Educational opportunities
Internships and work experience
Skills training and certifications
Post‑athletic career placement
Financial Literacy: Financial education and support Financial planning workshops
Budgeting and savings
Investment education
Tax planning assistance
Mental Health: Comprehensive mental health support Licensed sport psychologists
Counseling services
Performance psychology
Stress management
Crisis intervention
Life Skills: Life skills programming Media training
Leadership development
Community engagement
Social media best practices
Housing: Athlete housing support Housing stipends or team housing
Housing assistance and coordination
Roommate matching
11. School & Athletic Director Relations
School Partnership: Strong relationships with all partner schools
Athletic Director Engagement: Regular communication with ADs Quarterly check‑ins with each AD
Annual in‑person visits to schools
Team performance reviews
Collaborative problem‑solving
Brand Representation: Ensure teams honor school brands Team conduct and sportsmanship
Community engagement
Academic partnerships (if applicable)
Alumni engagement
School Input: Incorporate school input on team matters Coach selection input
Major roster decisions
Disciplinary matters
Community engagement priorities
Performance Reporting: Regular reporting to schools Team performance and statistics
Athlete development progress
Community impact metrics
Fan engagement data
12. Championships & Postseason
Championship Operations: Oversee championship tournaments
Qualification: Establish championship qualification criteria Regular season standings
Win‑loss records
Head‑to‑head results
Tiebreaker procedures
Tournament Format: Design championship tournament formats Regional championships (4 regions per sport)
National championships
Single elimination vs. double elimination vs. best‑of series
Seeding and bracket structure
Championship Experience: Create premier championship experience Venue selection and preparation
Opening ceremonies and events
Enhanced media coverage
Fan festivals and activities
Awards and recognition
Championship rings/trophies
13. Competitive Integrity & Conduct
Code of Conduct: Enforce athlete and coach code of conduct
Sportsmanship: Promote culture of sportsmanship and fair play
Discipline: Oversee disciplinary matters On‑field conduct violations
Off‑field conduct issues
Performance‑enhancing drug violations (coordinate with compliance)
Team rules violations
Suspensions and fines
Conflict Resolution: Mediate conflicts between athletes, coaches, schools
Performance Standards: Address performance issues fairly and transparently
14. National Governing Body Relations
NGBs: Build relationships with national governing bodies US Soccer Federation
USA Volleyball
USA Hockey
USA Lacrosse
USA Baseball
USA Softball
Other sport NGBs
Rule Alignment: Align competition rules with international standards
Olympic Pathway: Support Olympic athlete development National team call‑ups
Olympic qualification competitions
Leave policies for international competition
Training camps and development
Coaching Education: Leverage NGB coaching education and certification
Best Practices: Adopt international best practices
15. Team Building & Leadership
Build Athletic Organization: Recruit and lead comprehensive athletic organization
Team Structure: Year 1: 40‑50 athletic department professionals
Year 3: 100‑120 professionals
Year 6: 150‑200 professionals
Leadership Team: 12 Sport Directors (one per sport)
Director of Sports Medicine
Director of Strength & Conditioning
Director of Sports Nutrition
Director of Sports Science & Analytics
Director of Athlete Services
Regional Athletic Directors (4 regions)
Coach Network: 200+ head coaches and 400‑600+ assistant coaches
Support Staff: Athletic trainers, S&C coaches, dietitians, scientists, operations staff
Team Development: Develop high‑performing athletic organization with winning culture
Required Qualifications
Experience:
20+ years in elite athletics (coaching, athletic administration, or athlete development)
10+ years in senior athletic leadership roles (AD, Associate AD, Director of Athletics, professional team executive)
Proven track record of competitive excellence and championship success
Experience managing multiple sports or large athletic programs
Demonstrated success in building high‑performance athletic organizations
Athletic Leadership:
Deep expertise in elite athlete development and coaching
Strong knowledge of Olympic sports landscape and competitive standards
Experience with professional sports operations or high‑level college athletics
Understanding of sports medicine, strength & conditioning, and performance systems
Knowledge of athlete recruitment, contracts, and roster management
Multi‑Sport Expertise:
Experience managing or overseeing multiple sports simultaneously
Understanding of unique requirements for different Olympic sports
Ability to balance resources across diverse sports
Knowledge of national governing bodies and international competition
Coaching or playing experience in one or more Olympic sports (preferred)
Relationship & Leadership Skills:
Exceptional relationship‑building skills with coaches, athletes, and athletic directors
Outstanding leadership and ability to inspire athletic excellence
Strong executive presence and communication skills
Ability to make tough decisions on performance and personnel
Collaborative approach working across departments
Strategic & Business Acumen:
Strategic thinker who connects athletic performance to business success
Strong budget management and resource allocation skills
Data‑driven decision maker who uses analytics to improve performance
Understanding of fan engagement and media value of athletic performance
Change management experience in transformational environments
Education:
Bachelor’s degree required (Sports Management, Kinesiology, Education, or related field)
Master’s degree strongly preferred (Sports Administration, MBA, or related field)
Preferred Qualifications
Division I Athletic Director: Previous experience as Division I Athletic Director or Senior Associate AD
Olympic Sports Expertise: Deep experience in Olympic sports (coaching, competing, or administering)
Professional Sports: Experience in professional sports leagues or teams
National Team: Experience with national team programs or Olympic development
Multi‑Sport Success: Track record of success across multiple sports
Championship Experience: Led teams or programs to championships or Olympic medals
Large‑Scale Management: Managed athletic programs with 20+ teams or 500+ athletes
Startup/Launch: Experience launching new teams, programs, or leagues
International Experience: Experience with international competition or athletes
Success Metrics – First 18 Months
First 90 Days:
Complete pro sports strategy and competitive vision for all 12 sports
Hire all 12 Sport Directors (one per sport)
Build initial athletic leadership team (20–25 core hires)
Establish coaching recruitment strategy and compensation framework
Design athlete recruitment and allocation system
Create sports medicine, S&C, and nutrition program frameworks
Establish performance standards and KPIs for teams and coaches
Begin head coach recruitment for Year 1 teams
Months 4–6 (Q2):
Recruit and hire 50+ head coaches for Year 1 teams (across all sports)
Recruit assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and support staff
Launch athlete recruitment campaign (tryouts, combines, contracts)
Sign 1,000–1,500+ professional athletes for Year 1
Establish sports medicine and training partnerships
Implement performance technology platforms (GPS, video analysis)
Create team operations manuals for all sports
Complete pre‑season training camps
Months 7–12 (Q3–Q4):
Launch inaugural season with all 50 teams competing
Achieve high‑quality competition that meets or exceeds expectations
Coaching success: 85%+ of coaches meeting or exceeding performance expectations
Athlete development: 90%+ athlete retention and satisfaction
Injury management: Injury rates at or below sport benchmarks
School satisfaction: 80%+ of ADs satisfied with their teams’ performance and professionalism
Championships: Successfully execute 12+ championship tournaments
Zero major incidents: no major conduct, safety, or integrity violations
Fan engagement: Meet or exceed attendance and engagement targets
Months 13–18 (Year 2, Q1–Q2):
Scale athletic operations for 100 schools (2x growth)
Recruit additional 50+ head coaches and support staff
Improve team performance based on Year 1 learnings
Achieve 88%+ school satisfaction scores
Produce Olympic qualifiers or national team members from league
Expand sports medicine and performance programs
Launch advanced analytics and performance optimization
Build pipeline for Year 3 expansion
Achieve 85%+ coach retention (retain top performers)
Why This Role is Exceptional
Shape Olympic Sports in America:
This is the most significant transformation of Olympic sports in U.S. history
You’ll lead professional competition for 12 Olympic sports simultaneously
Opportunity to establish competitive standards that elevate Olympic sports nationally
Create platform for Olympic athlete development
Unprecedented Athletic Leadership:
Oversee 200+ professional teams across 12 sports (largest multi‑sport professional operation)
Recruit and develop 200+ head coaches and 5,000+ professional athletes
Build comprehensive athletic support systems at unprecedented scale
Champion for Olympic sports and athlete development
Competitive Excellence:
Create winning culture and championship traditions across 300 schools
Build teams that honor prestigious NCAA school brands
Develop athletes for Olympic and international competition
Establish league as premier destination for Olympic sport athletes
Resources & Support:
$2.5B in equity capital being raised provides resources for athletic excellence
Strong executive support for investing in coaching, training, and performance
Ability to recruit top coaching talent with competitive compensation
Budget for world‑class sports medicine, S&C, nutrition, and analytics
Compensation & Upside:
Highly competitive compensation package ($950K total)
Significant performance bonus tied to competitive success ($200K target)
Substantial equity upside as league grows
Potential for advancement to Chief Athletic Officer or COO role
Professional Growth:
Lead largest multi‑sport athletic operation in Olympic sports
Build relationships across NCAA, Olympic, and professional sports communities
Position yourself as thought leader in Olympic sports development
Create model athletic program that others will emulate
Legacy:
Be remembered as the architect of modern professional Olympic sports in America
Develop thousands of athletes for Olympic and international competition
Create pathways that sustain Olympic sports for future generations
Build winning traditions for 300 NCAA school brands
Application Process
Timeline:
Applications Reviewed: Rolling basis, priority given to early applications
First Round: Virtual interviews with COO and VP of League Operations (1 hour)
Second Round: Full‑day onsite with executive team including CEO, CFO, CRO
Third Round (if applicable): Meetings with board members, sport advisors, or prominent coaches
Final Round: Case presentation on pro sports strategy including: Coaching recruitment strategy and profile of ideal coaches
Athlete recruitment and team formation approach
Performance systems design (sports medicine, S&C, nutrition, analytics)
Multi‑sport resource allocation philosophy
Year 1 competitive goals and success metrics
Organizational structure for
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Worksite address
charleston, SC, 29408, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.