Director of Football Operations

Location: Calgary, AB

Employment Type: Full Time

Working Location: Hybrid

Position Summary

The Director of Football Operations (DFO) is responsible for leading and managing all operational aspects of the club’s football activities. This role ensures that the team environment is professional, efficient, and aligned with the club’s strategic objectives. The position requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The DFO is a key position within the Technical Leadership Team, which consists of the Head Coach (HC), IST Lead (IST-L) and Academy Director (AD). The Technical Committee and Strategic Advisor – Football Operations are also a key members of this group.

As a frontline leader within the Football department, the DFO will have overall responsibility for football operations with the 1^st team, supporting and leading operations staff, volunteers and service providers. Furthermore, this is deemed to be a critical role to supporting the coaching staff and players, while achieving the Club’s operational requirements with the NSL, Canada Soccer, and FIFA.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Planning & Coordination

Ensure through effective pre-planning and coordination, the day-to-day operational requirements for players, coaches, and technical staff are met to the highest standard possible during pre-season, regular season, post-season, including international breaks.
Liaise with the HC, IST-L and AD on all scheduling and team environment requirements and objectives.
Provide meeting support preparing agendas, take minutes, and follow up on action items for meetings, ensuring efficient use of time and resources.

Budget & Resource Management

Liaise with the Football Leadership Team to build the annual football operations budget and track expenditures to monitor alignment against actuals. This will involve troubleshooting solutions for expense management

Fields & Facilities

Coordinate with facility owners and operators to manage club bookings (permits) and ancillary facility requirements.

Travel & Logistics

In collaboration with the 1^st Team Staff and IST, hold responsibility for the organization of player needs off the pitch when travelling for league games, friendlies or tournaments. This will include, while on the road, managing transportation, meals, kit and equipment as well as support during game day. This will include meeting ad hoc coaching staff and player needs in and round game day.
Manage all aspects of delegation preparation, logistical planning, and compliance for the FIFA World Cups, Summer Olympic Games and CONCACAF Regional Tournaments.

Athlete Services & Player Care

Managing the on-boarding process for new signings and provide support and guidance to the Player Care Liaison (PCL) and Mental Performance Lead (MPL) for the successful planning and execution of the club’s Athlete Services & Player Care programs.
Handle sensitive team and player information with the highest level of discretion and confidentiality, always maintaining professionalism and integrity. Be available to help the PCL in support of the personal needs of players and coaches in their relocation needs to Calgary.
Work with Operations and Technical department to help transition Academy players to the 1^st Team environment.
Ensure completion of mandatory compliance training and SafeSport courses.

Equipment & Apparel

Provide support and guidance to the Equipment Manager (EM) and PCL for the successful planning and execution of the club’s team equipment and apparel management programs

Matchday Operations (Home / Away)

Ensure compliance with league standards and matchday requirements.
Coordinate game-day logistics with events team (parking, tickets, accreditations).
Prepare and submit matchday roster; manage visiting team requests.

Sport Administration

Ensure the various administrative requirements from the NSL, Canada Soccer, FIFE, foreign federations, embassies and/or consulates with respect to the operational details of away matches are adhered to.
Secure player releases from foreign and domestic clubs before pre-determined FIFA deadlines for international friendlies, Concacaf and FIFA tournaments.
In collaboration with the HC, work to administer player registrations and management in compliance with the policies and procedures of Canada Soccer, the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, the FIFA Clearing House Regulations and the FIFA Football Agent Regulations.
Manage the day-to-day process and procedures of Canada Soccer Connect and the FIFA International Transfer Matching System (FIFA ITMS) in accordance with the Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations and the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
Prepare and provide any/all reports to FIFA as prescribed by their policies and procedures, in particular those involving the FIFA RSTP.
Own the complaint management process and procedures and work closely with the Canada Soccer and the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and the independent third party (IPT).
Review and revise the policies and procedures of the Club to maintain compliance with Canada Soccer and FIFA policies and procedures
Respond to and appropriately address all received inquiries by phone, email and in person interactions.
Uphold and enforce club policies and procedures.

Ad Hoc Duties

Handle miscellaneous tasks as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in sport management, business, or related field (Master’s degree an asset)
5–10+ years’ experience in professional sports operations or team administration
Strong knowledge of FIFA and NSL regulations considered an asset
Hands on experience in team logistics, administration, and league compliance
Proven experience managing player services: agent relations, player registration, eligibility, contract administration, transfers, player departure
Strong leadership skills with ability to manage teams and align staff with club vision
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and negotiation skills

Contact us to apply!

Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending their resume to people@calgarywildfc.com