Sr. Manager, Officiating
National Women's Soccer League
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 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Senior Manager, Officiating to join our Sporting team. This critical role will be instrumental in supporting the overall management, development, and administration of the NWSL's officiating program, ensuring the highest standards of fairness, consistency, and professionalism are maintained across the league.
What You Will Own & Drive
Program Administration & Logistics
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the NWSL officiating program, including scheduling, travel, and assignment of referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees (VAR).
- Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for NWSL match officials, communicating assignments, logistics, and league directives effectively.
- Oversee the contract management, compensation, and expense reporting process for all assigned match officials.
- Collaborate with the NWSL Operations team to ensure seamless operational support for all on-field and technological aspects of officiating.
Training, Development, and Evaluation
- Assist in the development and execution of the annual NWSL Pre-Season Referee Camp and in-season training sessions.
- Assist in the delivery of pre-season education sessions for all NWSL technical staffs and players at all NWSL clubs prior to the commencement of the regular season.
- Coordinate the official evaluation and assessment program for match officials, including working with assessor teams and maintaining detailed performance records.
- Support the creation and distribution of training materials, video clips, and educational content derived from NWSL matches for ongoing official development.
- Monitor match official performance trends and provide data-driven feedback and recommendations for improvement.
- Manage and maintain a database that calculates refereeing performance, capturing and assessing key in-game moments and consequential decisions.
- Serve as the NWSL liaison with USSF, linking with their refereeing and officiating department and representing the NWSL in technical and operational conversations
- Manage stakeholder relationships across the domestic and international landscape as it relates to refereeing and officiating, including (but not limited to) PRO, USSF, Concacaf, FIFA, and IFAB.
- Deliver regular reporting on in-game officiating performance to NWSL leadership, providing insights and recommendations on improvements and needed interventions.
Liaison and Communication
- Act as a key liaison between the League Office, NWSL clubs, and the match officials on matters related to game operations and officiating.
- Manage communication related to the NWSL Game Report system, ensuring timely and accurate submission of post-match documentation.
- Assist in the preparation of materials and presentations for the NWSL Competition Committee regarding officiating matters.
- Ensure full compliance with the IFAB Laws of the Game and all NWSL Competition Rules and Regulations.
What You Will Bring
Core Qualifications
- Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in sports operations, competition management, or officiating administration, preferably within a professional soccer league or high-level collegiate environment.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep and current knowledge of the IFAB Laws of the Game and soccer competition logistics. Familiarity with video review (VAR) protocols is highly desirable.
- Administrative Skills: Proven ability to manage complex logistics, scheduling, and budget administration. Highly proficient in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Travel: Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including nights and weekends, for training camps, league meetings, and other events.
Preferred Qualifications
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills with a strong attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Our Investment in You
In addition to working in an incredible, inclusive, and committed-to-diversity culture, we offer:
- Competitive Compensation: $110,000 - $125,000 (Salary is contingent upon candidate qualifications and functional business needs).
- Time & Flexibility: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), sick days, and an end-of-year office closure.
- Hybrid Work Model: Three days in-office 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 careers@nwslsoccer.com.