Head Coach - MLS Pro

Job Title: Head Coach - MLS NEXT Pro

Department: Defiance Coaching

Reports To: Director of Development

Type: Full-Time Regular

FLSA Status: Exempt

Role Type: People Manager

When you join Seattle Sounders FC, you join a soccer-loving, socially progressive, ambitious club rooted in the best soccer city in America. We have one of the most passionate sports fan bases in North America who are invested in the Sounders as much for our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities as they are for winning the 2019 MLS Cup, 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, and 2025 Leagues Cup on home soil.

We exist to create special moments like these, where we enrich lives and unify our fans and city through soccer.

The Head Coach for Tacoma Defiance, Seattle Sounders FC’s MLS NEXT Pro team will lead the coaching staff responsible for unlocking players’ full potential to excel in their professional careers. The ideal candidate will have experience managing and directing all technical and tactical components in support of player development. This role will be responsible for creating an inclusive, supportive environment that challenges players’ growth while learning the importance of coming together as one team.

The Head Coach will ensure leadership and actions are in alignment with the club’s core values, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a commitment to social impact.

• Manage and direct coaching and support staff for Tacoma Defiance, including but not limited to preseason training camps, training sessions, and player- or group-specific technical or tactical sessions.
• Supervise and manage the technical and tactical components of all MLS NEXT Pro preseason, regular season, playoff, tournament, international, friendly, and other matches.
• Manage and direct staff in preparing for technical and tactical components of all MLS NEXT Pro matches, including development of match‑specific, situational, and player‑specific strategies and supervising the scouting of opposing teams and players.
• Assist the First Team Head Coach and Head of Professional Player Development in the evaluation and performance management of Sounders FC First Team, MLS Next Pro, and Academy players.
• Enforce club and league rules applicable to the club’s players and/or coaching staff.
• Together with club technical leadership, foster, develop, and manage an inclusive culture consistent with the organizational values of Sounders FC and the club’s commitment to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Participate in promotional, sponsorship, and public relations activities including, but not limited to, match day promotions, clinics, speeches, interviews, photo sessions, public appearances, sponsor activities and any television, radio and internet programs featuring the club.
• Participate regularly in volunteer and community activities, including but not limited to those of the club, club‑wide initiatives and programs, the RAVE Foundation, and of employee’s choosing.
• Other duties as assigned.

• USSF Pro License preferred.
• MLS / FFF Elite Formation Coaches License strongly preferred.
• Youth national team coaching experience strongly preferred.
• An in‑depth understanding of, and a demonstrated expertise within, the MLS Next Pro platform.
• Proven and successful experiences developing players through the MLS player pathway.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive, cross‑functional relationships within an organization.
• Demonstrated leadership and motivational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as the ability to effectively present information.
• A strong sense of self‑awareness and emotional intelligence.
• An understanding of the pressures and commitments required for youth players involved in high level youth soccer (or other elite youth sports development awareness).
• Committed to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and to living club values and the Sounders FC Mission to Create Moments, Enrich Lives, and Unify Through Soccer, in all interactions with colleagues, players, vendors, and fans.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise…