General Manager, MLS NEXT

Overview

Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and inclusion, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both on and off the field. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. With the addition of the new MLS NEXT Academy Division in 2025, membership for the 2025-26 season will include 30 MLS academies, 243 Elite Academies (273 total clubs), 2,189 teams and over 43,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and Más+ by Messi. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.

Major League Soccer is looking for a dedicated, passionate, and experienced individual to grow and lead MLS NEXT. The General Manager, MLS NEXT will be responsible for managing and implementing MLS NEXT and MLS GO (MLS’s recreational youth program) programs to continuously improve and elevate the quality of competition, talent identification, education, compliance, and club membership. The role requires vision, the ability to lead team members and external core collaborators, operating discipline, excellent communications skills, flexibility, as well as a strategic and innovative approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee governance and communication across all MLS NEXT member clubs, including all member calls and selected member committees.
• Manage and oversee execution of plans against the five pillars of the MLS NEXT platform: Competition, Talent ID, Education, Individual Development, and Environment.
• Lead relationships with cross functional teams who support MLS NEXT including Compliance, Legal, Events, Social, Content, Comms, Brand, Consumer Products, and Events.
• MLS NEXT Lead on legal related topics including compliance for governing policies, investigations and discipline, policy enforcement, and insurance coverage (in consultation with Technical Director, MLS NEXT on decisions requiring technical input).
• Lead relationship with Partnership Marketing/Business Development and liaise with partners on delivery and growth of commercial programs, with a key focus on generating revenue while maintaining MLS NEXT development principles and over indexing for the adidas enterprise partnership.
• Lead MLS NEXT commercial aspects including Marketing, Broadcast, Events, Social, etc.
• In collaboration with the Technical Director, MLS NEXT:
  • Lead implementation of future evolution of MLS NEXT events.
  • Drive the long-term strategy and planning process for MLS NEXT
  • Manage and oversee MLS NEXT budget, collaborating with Technical Director, MLS NEXT on prioritization.
  • Oversee MLS NEXT Club Evaluation process, including expansion and remediation.
  • Implement and deliver sporting development initiatives, including technical guidance and standards as set forth by both MLS and MLS NEXT Technical Directors (example includes ‘Quality of Play’ initiative).
  • Manage and implement technology and data tools for MLS NEXT with support and input from Technical Directors of both MLS and MLS NEXT.

Manager Responsibilities

• Oversee team within MLS NEXT and MLS GO including hiring and development of MLS NEXT and MLS GO administrative and operations staff.
• Manage hiring and onboarding process by interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Accomplish team results by communicating job expectations and leading the Performance Management process:
  • Plan, monitor, and review performance
  • Coach and counsel employees
  • Develop and implement department procedures and productivity standards and reinforce Company policies
• Develop personal growth opportunities for employees by providing a challenging, learning environment that incorporates external opportunities to meet with other organizations.
• Attract, develop, and empower a successful organization with a strong, values-based culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Sporting Licenses and Credentials preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in a leadership role, with responsibilities in strategy, competition management, and technical development.
• Relevant working experience in the sports industry.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated leadership and management capability.
• Commitment to high quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity and compliance.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to interact effectively and in a professional and diplomatic manner with internal and ex