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Director, Impact Programs

Director, Impact Programs

Soccer Forward IncChicago, IL, US
1 day ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Soccer Forward Overview

Soccer Forward, U.S. Soccer’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup legacy initiative, is dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities through the most accessible sport in America. Soccer Forward will be partner focused and driven and staff will engage with key stakeholders in the world of soccer, such as FIFA, Concacaf, NWSL, and MLS, as well as with U.S. Soccer member organizations.

The Soccer Forward team will create innovative and thoughtful strategies on how Soccer Forward can contribute to U.S. Soccer’s sponsors, media partners and donors. The team will organize, engage, manage and develop relationships with key community and charitable partners, particularly at a national and global level.

Position Description

The Director Impact Programs for Soccer Forward will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of community-facing programs, ensuring alignment with U.S. Soccer’s mission and the long-term legacy objectives tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and beyond. This role serves as the strategic lead for program quality, outcomes measurement, and continuous improvement.

Working across departments and with key stakeholders, the Director will be tasked with optimizing program impact, scaling successful initiatives, and developing systems to track and communicate results. This position will play a key role in aligning programmatic work with the Soccer Forward’s goals around equity, access, and inclusion.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategic direction, development, and execution of Soccer Forward programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community needs.
  • Oversee impact measurement systems and evaluation frameworks to assess short- and long-term program effectiveness and influence.
  • Collaborate with internal departments (Advancement, Commercial, External Relations) to integrate programmatic goals into larger organizational initiatives.
  • Supervise program managers and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure the successful implementation of initiatives across markets.
  • Translate data and impact insights into compelling narratives for internal and external stakeholders, including donors and the Soccer Forward Board.
  • Provide guidance and assistance to partners to support capacity building and program delivery.
  • Identify areas for program innovation and lead piloting of initiatives that align with SFF goals.
  • Represent Soccer Forward at national convenings, coalitions, and events to share impact, learnings, and progress.
  • Partner with the U.S. Soccer stakeholders to communicate community impact strategy and support relevant partnership opportunities.

Requirements :

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Master’s degree in public administration, Social Impact, Nonprofit Management, Education, or a related field preferred.
  • At least 7 years of experience managing social impact or community-based programs, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
  • Strong background in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) or social impact measurement.
  • Proven ability to manage teams and large-scale program portfolios.
  • Demonstrated success translating programmatic insights into strategic recommendations.
  • Familiarity with the youth development or sport-based youth development sectors.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience producing executive-level impact reports and presentations.
  • Ability to work flexible hours and travel nationally as needed, including during major events.
  • Desired Qualifications

  • Proficiency in impact management platforms, dashboards, and visualization tools.
  • Experience working with sport-based youth development programs.
  • Demonstrated success in building community partnerships and aligning cross-sector collaborations.
  • Experience navigating philanthropic and corporate funding landscapes.
  • A passion for soccer and a commitment to advancing its positive impact in communities across the U.S.
  • Soccer Forward offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

    Soccer Forward is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.

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    Program Director • Chicago, IL, US

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