VP of Youth Development

Job description

NCAA Olympic & Youth Sports League – Build the Future of Olympic Sports

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

Youth Participants: 500,000+ athletes from Grassroots (U10) through U23

Professional Integration: U17-U23 age groups travel with professional teams

Season: Year-round programming with competitive season mid-August through mid-May

Development Pathway: Comprehensive pathway from grassroots to Olympic competition

The Youth Development Opportunity:

Participation Scale: 500,000+ youth athletes across all age groups and sports

Age Groups: Grassroots (walking to U10), U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, U21, U23

Revenue Impact: $1.5B+ in annual participation revenue at scale (avg $3,000 per athlete per year)

Geographic Reach: Programs in all 50 states tied to 300 school brands

Coaching Network: 15,000+ youth coaches across all programs

Development Model: Elite pathway connecting youth development to professional and Olympic competition

Family Engagement: Programs serving 500K+ athletes and their families (1.5M+ total stakeholders)

Facility Access: World-class training facilities at 300 school campuses

Competitive Structure: Local, regional, and national competition opportunities

College Pathway: Clear pathway to NCAA Division I programs

This is the most ambitious youth sports development initiative in history—creating sustainable infrastructure for Olympic sports from grassroots to elite.

Position Overview

The VP of Youth Development will be the senior executive responsible for all youth programming, athlete development pathways, coaching education, tournaments, and family engagement across all age groups and sports. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be the architect of youth sports excellence—creating programs that develop 500,000+ young athletes while generating $1.5B+ in annual revenue.

This role requires a unique combination of youth sports expertise, program development experience, large-scale operations management, and the ability to build systems that serve hundreds of thousands of athletes and families.

Compensation Package: $900,000 total compensation

Base Salary: $525,000

Performance Bonus: $175,000 (target, tied to enrollment, retention, and quality metrics)

Equity Grant: $200,000 annually (vesting over 4 years)

Key Responsibilities

1. Youth Development Strategy & Vision

Strategic Vision: Develop and execute comprehensive youth development strategy across all sports and age groups

Development Philosophy: Establish philosophy that balances: Athlete Development: Long-term athlete development over short-term winning

Age-Appropriate: Developmentally appropriate training and competition

Multi-Sport: Encourage multi-sport participation at younger ages

Fun & Engagement: Keep sports fun and engaging to maximize retention

Skill Development: Focus on fundamental skills and movement competencies

Pathway to Elite: Create clear pathway to professional and Olympic levels

Program Structure: Design comprehensive program structure Grassroots (Walking-U10): Introduction to sports, fundamental movement skills

Development (U11-U14): Skill development, multiple sports, local competition

Competitive (U15-U16): More specialized training, regional competition

Elite (U17-U23): High-performance training, travel with professional teams, college recruiting

Enrollment Targets: Year 1: 100,000 youth athletes enrolled

Year 2: 200,000 youth athletes

Year 3: 300,000 youth athletes

Year 4: 400,000 youth athletes

Year 5: 450,000 youth athletes

Year 6: 500,000+ youth athletes

Revenue Targets: $1.5B+ annual participation revenue at scale

2. Age Group Program Development

Grassroots Programs (Walking-U10): Entry-level programs for youngest athletes Philosophy: Fun, inclusive, multi-sport introduction

Activities: Games-based learning, fundamental movement skills

Duration: 8-12 week sessions, 1-2 sessions per week

Competition: No formal competition, internal showcases

Pricing: $500-$800 per session

Target Enrollment: 50,000+ athletes

Development Programs (U11-U14): Core development programs Philosophy: Skill acquisition, tactical understanding, love of sport

Training: 2-3 sessions per week during season

Competition: Local and regional competitions, weekend tournaments

Multi-Sport: Encourage participation in multiple sports

Pricing: $2,000-$2,500 per year

Target Enrollment: 200,000+ athletes

Competitive Programs (U15-U16): Competitive training and competition Philosophy: Sport specialization, competitive excellence, college preparation

Training: 3-4 sessions per week, year-round programming

Competition: Regional and national competitions, showcase tournaments

College Exposure: Recruiting showcases and college coach access

Pricing: $3,000-$4,000 per year

Target Enrollment: 150,000+ athletes

Elite Programs (U17-U23): High-performance pathway Philosophy: Professional preparation, Olympic development, college recruiting

Training: Daily training sessions, integrated with professional teams

Competition: Travel with professional teams, elite tournaments

Support Services: Sports medicine, strength & conditioning, nutrition, sport psychology

Pricing: $4,000-$6,000 per year (some scholarship support)

Target Enrollment: 100,000+ athletes

3. Sport-Specific Development Programs

Youth Sport Directors: Lead Youth Sport Directors for each of 12 sports Report into VP of Youth Development

Design sport-specific curriculum and development pathways

Coordinate with professional Sport Directors on integration

Manage youth coaches in their sport

Oversee youth competitions and tournaments

Sport-Specific Curricula: Develop comprehensive training curricula for each sport Age-appropriate progressions

Technical skills development

Tactical understanding

Physical development

Mental skills

Video resources and coaching guides

Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD): Sport-specific LTAD models Based on international best practices

Aligned with national governing body frameworks

Clear competency markers at each age group

Individualized development tracking

4. Coaching Education & Development

Coaching Network: Build and support network of 15,000+ youth coaches

Coach Recruitment: Recruit qualified youth coaches Former college athletes and coaches

Certified club coaches

Teachers and educators with sports background

Parent-coaches (with proper training)

Background checks and SafeSport certification (100% required)

Coaching Education: Comprehensive coaching education program Entry Level: Introduction to coaching, child development, safety

Development Level: Sport-specific skills, session planning, communication

Advanced Level: Tactical coaching, periodization, athlete psychology

Elite Level: High-performance coaching, talent identification, college recruiting

Certification Program: League coaching certification program Partnerships with national governing bodies (US Soccer, USA Volleyball, etc.)

Online learning modules

In-person workshops and clinics

Practical assessments

Continuing education requirements

Coach Support: Resources and support for coaching excellence Practice plans and session templates

Video library of drills and activities

Communication tools for parents

Performance tracking tools

Mentorship programs

Coach Compensation: Competitive compensation for quality coaches Hourly rates or seasonal stipends

Performance bonuses based on athlete development and retention

Professional development funding

5. Youth Tournaments & Competition

Competition Calendar: Comprehensive competition calendar across all age groups

Local Competition: Weekend local competitions (U11-U14) Games against nearby teams

Minimize travel for younger athletes

Focus on development over results

Regional Competition: Regional tournaments (U15-U16) Monthly or bi-monthly regional events

Exposure to different competition

College coach attendance at older age groups

National Competition: National championships and showcases (U15-U23) Annual national championships for each age group

Showcase tournaments with college coach attendance

Elite tournaments with national team scouts

Integration with Pro Competition: U17-U23 travel with professional teams Game before or after professional games

Shared travel and logistics

Exposure to professional environment

Mentorship from professional athletes

Tournament Operations: Professional tournament operations Venue coordination and setup

Scheduling and bracketing

Officiating and game administration

Live streaming and statistics

Awards and recognition

6. Player Identification & Development Tracking

Talent Identification: Systematic talent identification process

Player Development Platform: Technology platform tracking athlete development Individual athlete profiles

Skills assessments and evaluations

Training attendance and participation

Competition performance and statistics

Video highlights and analysis

Injury history and medical records

Coach feedback and recommendations

Assessment Framework: Regular player assessments Physical assessments (speed, strength, agility, endurance)

Technical assessments (sport-specific skills)

Tactical assessments (game understanding)

Psychological assessments (mental skills, coachability)

Development Plans: Individualized development plans Strengths and areas for improvement

Goals and action steps

Recommended training focus

Pathway to next level

College Recruiting Support: Support for college-bound athletes (U15+) Recruiting profile creation

Highlight video production

College coach communication

NCAA eligibility guidance

Campus visit coordination

7. Family Engagement & Parent Education

Family Experience: Create exceptional experience for families

Parent Communication: Regular communication with parents Season kickoff meetings

Monthly newsletters and updates

Individual player development updates

Real-time schedule and score updates

Mobile app for families

Parent Education: Educate parents on youth sports best practices Long-term athlete development

Age-appropriate expectations

Nutrition and recovery

Injury prevention

College recruiting process

Supporting youth athletes

Sideline behavior and sportsmanship

Parent Code of Conduct: Clear expectations for parent behavior Positive sideline behavior

Respect for coaches and officials

Focus on development over results

No coaching from sidelines

Family Events: Family engagement events Season kickoff events

Parent-child clinics

Family fun days

End-of-season celebrations

College recruiting seminars

8. Club Partnerships & Integration

Club Partnership Model: Partner with existing elite club programs

Club Integration: Integrate clubs into league structure Clubs become league-affiliated programs

Clubs use league curriculum and standards

Clubs compete in league competitions

Clubs gain access to professional team integration

Clubs receive coaching education and support

Partnership Benefits: Benefits to clubs League branding and marketing

Access to professional team facilities

Coaching education and certification

Player development tracking platform

College recruiting support

Revenue sharing opportunities

Quality Standards: Establish standards for club partnerships Coaching qualifications and certifications

SafeSport compliance

Facility standards

Code of conduct

Financial transparency

9. School Brand Integration

School Connection: Connect youth programs to 300 school brands

School-Based Programs: Programs tied to local schools Youth teams wear school colors and logos

Connection to school alumni and community

Access to school facilities when appropriate

School pride and tradition

Geographic Assignment: Assign youth to schools based on geography Zipcode-based assignment

Keep friends and teammates together

Option to choose school affiliation

Transfer policies for families that move

School Engagement: Engage schools in youth programs School camps and clinics

Professional and youth doubleheaders

School spirit events

Alumni athlete appearances

10. Facilities & Infrastructure

Training Facilities: Coordinate on youth training facility needs

Campus Facilities: Access to facilities at 300 school campuses Fields, courts, rinks for training and competition

Locker rooms and meeting spaces

Sports medicine and training facilities (for elite programs)

Regional Facilities: Additional training and competition venues Partnership venues for local programs

Tournament facilities for major events

Facility Standards: Establish standards for youth facilities Safety requirements

Equipment standards

Appropriate size for age groups (smaller fields/courts for young athletes)

Spectator amenities

11. Health, Safety & Athlete Welfare

Safety First: Prioritize athlete health and safety above all else

Medical Coverage: Appropriate medical coverage for youth programs Athletic trainers at elite levels and tournaments

First aid trained coaches at all programs

Emergency action plans for all venues

Concussion protocols and return-to-play

Participant accident insurance

Injury Prevention: Evidence-based injury prevention programs Age-appropriate training volumes

Proper warm-up and cool-down

Education on overuse injuries

Multi-sport participation for younger athletes

Rest and recovery periods

SafeSport Compliance: 100% compliance with SafeSport requirements Mandatory background checks for all coaches and staff

SafeSport training for all coaches

Mandatory abuse reporting

Athlete protection policies

Investigation procedures

Mental Health: Support for youth mental health Sport psychology resources

Managing stress and pressure

Dealing with injuries and setbacks

Transition support (age group changes, leaving sport)

12. Revenue & Business Operations

Revenue Management: Manage $1.5B+ youth participation revenue

Pricing Strategy: Develop pricing strategy across programs Competitive with local club market

Value-based pricing reflecting quality and benefits

Volume discounts (multiple sports, multiple children)

Early registration discounts

Regional pricing variations

Registration System: Seamless registration and payment platform Online registration and payment

Mobile-friendly experience

Flexible payment plans

Scholarship applications

Waitlist management

Scholarship Program: Financial aid for qualified families Need-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships (elite athletes)

Target: 5-10% of participants receive aid

Partner with sponsors for scholarship funding

Retention Strategy: Maximize participant retention year-over-year Target: 75%+ retention rate

Early renewal incentives

Re-engagement campaigns for past participants

Exit surveys to understand attrition

13. Marketing & Enrollment Growth

Marketing Strategy: Drive enrollment growth to 500K+ athletes

Marketing Channels: Digital Marketing: Social media, search, display advertising

School Partnerships: Marketing through partner schools

Club Partnerships: Marketing through affiliated clubs

Grassroots: Community events, school visits, open houses

Referral Programs: Parent and athlete referrals

Professional Team Integration: Marketing at professional games

Value Proposition: Communicate compelling value proposition NCAA school brand affiliation

Professional team integration

College recruiting support

World-class coaching and curriculum

Player development tracking

Access to elite facilities

Clear pathway to professional and Olympic levels

Enrollment Campaigns: Seasonal enrollment campaigns Fall, winter, spring, summer seasons

Early bird registration incentives

Open house events and free clinics

14. Data, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

Program Analytics: Comprehensive analytics on youth programs

Key Metrics: Enrollment: Total enrollment by sport, age group, region

Retention: Year-over-year retention rates

Satisfaction: Parent and athlete satisfaction scores

Development: Player development progression

Safety: Injury rates and incident reports

Quality: Coach certification rates and evaluations

Financial: Revenue, costs, contribution margins

Performance Dashboards: Real-time dashboards for leaders

Research & Innovation: Stay current on youth sports research Attend conferences and symposiums

Partner with universities on research

Pilot innovative programs and curricula

Share learnings across organization

Continuous Improvement: Regular program reviews and improvements Quarterly program reviews

Annual comprehensive assessment

Athlete and parent feedback surveys

Coach feedback and suggestions

Benchmark against best-in-class programs

15. Team Building & Leadership

Build Youth Development Organization: Recruit and lead comprehensive youth development team

Team Structure: Year 1: 30-40 youth development professionals

Year 3: 75-100 professionals

Year 6: 125-150 professionals

Leadership Team: 12 Youth Sport Directors (one per sport)

Director of Coaching Education

Director of Youth Tournaments & Competition

Director of Player Development & Identification

Director of Club Partnerships

Director of Youth Marketing & Enrollment

Director of Youth Operations

Regional Youth Directors (4 regions)

Coaching Network: 15,000+ youth coaches (part-time, seasonal)

Team Development: Develop high-performing team committed to youth development excellence

Required Qualifications

Experience:

15+ years in youth sports programming, coaching, or athletic development

7+ years in senior youth sports leadership roles (VP, Director, or equivalent)

Proven track record building and scaling youth sports programs (10,000+ participants)

Experience managing large-scale youth operations across multiple sports or regions

Demonstrated success in enrollment growth, retention, and quality improvement

Youth Sports Expertise:

Deep expertise in long-term athlete development (LTAD) frameworks

Strong knowledge of age-appropriate training and competition

Understanding of youth sports best practices and research

Experience with coaching education and development programs

Knowledge of SafeSport, child protection, and youth safety

Program Development & Operations:

Proven ability to design and implement youth sports curricula

Experience with youth tournament operations and event management

Understanding of youth sports business models and economics

Knowledge of registration systems, payment processing, and CRM

Experience with player development tracking and technology platforms

Leadership & Communication:

Exceptional leadership skills with ability to inspire coaches and staff

Outstanding communication skills for parents, athletes, coaches, and staff

Strong relationship-building with diverse stakeholders (families, clubs, schools)

Collaborative approach working across departments

Passion for youth development and positive youth experiences

Business & Strategic Acumen:

Strategic thinker who connects youth development to business success

Strong financial acumen and P&L management experience

Data-driven decision maker who uses analytics

Marketing and enrollment growth expertise

Understanding of customer experience and retention strategies

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required (Kinesiology, Sports Management, Education, or related field)

Master’s degree preferred (Sports Administration, Education, Child Development)

Preferred Qualifications

Large-Scale Youth Sports: Led youth sports organization with 50,000+ participants

Olympic Sports: Deep experience in Olympic sports development pathways

Club Sports: Experience with club sports models and partnerships

College Pathway: Understanding of college recruiting and NCAA eligibility

National Governing Bodies: Relationships with NGBs (US Soccer, USA Volleyball, etc.)

Coaching Background: Elite coaching experience at youth, college, or professional level

Multi-Sport: Experience managing multiple sports simultaneously

Technology: Experience implementing youth sports technology platforms

Startup/Scale: Led youth programs through rapid growth phases

Success Metrics – First 18 Months

First 90 Days:

Complete youth development strategy for all sports and age groups

Hire 12 Youth Sport Directors (one per sport)

Build initial youth development team (20-25 core hires)

Develop youth curriculum for all sports and age groups

Design coaching education and certification program

Create registration platform and payment systems

Establish club partnership framework

Launch marketing and enrollment campaigns for Year 1

Months 4-6 (Q2):

Recruit and train 3,000+ youth coaches for Year 1 programs

Complete 100% background checks and SafeSport training for all coaches

Launch registration for Year 1 programs

Achieve 75,000+ registrations for fall season (75% of Year 1 goal)

Establish partnerships with 50-100 elite clubs

Implement player development platform

Design youth tournament calendar

Launch parent education programs

Months 7-12 (Q3-Q4):

Enrollment Goal: Achieve 100,000+ total youth registrations in Year 1

Revenue Goal: Generate $250M+ in Year 1 participation revenue

Retention: Achieve 70%+ retention from fall to spring seasons

Safety: Zero serious safety incidents or SafeSport violations

Satisfaction: 85%+ parent and athlete satisfaction scores

Quality: 100% coach certification and SafeSport compliance

Tournaments: Successfully execute 50+ youth tournaments

Integration: Integrate U17-U23 athletes with professional teams

Club Partnerships: Establish 150+ club partnerships

Months 13-18 (Year 2, Q1-Q2):

Scale to 200,000+ youth participants (2x Year 1)

Achieve 75%+ year-over-year retention from Year 1 to Year 2

Expand to additional age groups or sports

Improve satisfaction scores to 88%+

Recruit and train 7,000+ total youth coaches

Generate $500M+ in annual participation revenue

Launch scholarship program supporting 5,000+ athletes

Achieve national recognition as premier youth sports program

Build pipeline for 300,000+ participants by Year 3

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization that reflects the communities we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

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Worksite address

charleston, SC, 29408, US

Who can apply

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