Zone One Director

About the Role

Match Fit Surf Soccer Club is seeking a bright, innovative, and driven Zone One Director to lead our foundational U8–U12 programming in the Monmouth Region. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to build ECNL and ECNL-RL players from the ground up — shaping the technical identity, coaching standards, and long-term player pathway for one of the club's premier regions. The ideal candidate will split their time between coaching three teams directly and directing Zone One programming across the region, working closely with our Director of Coaching and Regional Director to align day-to-day work with club-wide strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Coach three teams within the Monmouth Region, modeling the technical standards and culture expected of Zone One programming.
• Develop and oversee player development programs for U8–U12 teams, ensuring consistent training standards, technical development, and clear progression pathways into older age groups.
• Design and launch a talent pathway program for the Monmouth Region, creating a clear route for elite players into the club's ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms while expanding the club's regional presence and competitive success.
• Mentor, evaluate, and support Zone One coaches, providing resources and feedback to maintain alignment with club philosophy and expectations.
• Oversee technical programming and player development models across all Zone One age groups, working closely with the Director of Coaching to implement a unified training philosophy.
• Oversee scheduling, roster management, compliance, and development of pipelines for junior players ages 4–7 through community partnerships, grassroots initiatives, and innovative programming.
• Develop and execute business strategies for the zone, including budgeting, program expansion, and revenue growth through camps, clinics, and elite-level offerings.
• Manage staffing structure by hiring and mentoring a team of coaches and support staff to deliver high-quality, consistent programming.
• Communicate regularly with parents to provide updates on player development, program expectations, and opportunities for advancement within the club.
• Build strong relationships with families and stakeholders through transparent communication, targeted retention strategies, and a culture rooted in professionalism and development.
• Collaborate with league officials, governing bodies, and community partners to align zone initiatives with broader regional and club-wide goals.
• Maintain accountability to the Director of Coaching for technical standards and to the Regional Director for integration into regional operations and strategic goals.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience coaching at the competitive youth level (ECNL, ECNL-RL, or equivalent), with a national or state coaching license (USSF, US Soccer, or equivalent).
• A track record of player development success and a genuine passion for building foundational programming, not just coaching a single team.
• Business-minded leadership: comfort with budgeting, program growth, and revenue-generating initiatives like camps and clinics.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of building trust with players, families, and staff.
• A collaborative approach — comfortable working across multiple stakeholders, from club leadership to league officials to community partners.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $65,000–$70,000 annually, commensurate with experience and coaching credentials.

Performance Bonus: This role is charged with building Zone One from the ground up, so base salary is paired with a performance-based bonus structure tied to zone growth — including player enrollment, team formation, and pathway placement into the club's ECNL and ECNL-RL programs. Total compensation has room to grow meaningfully beyond base as Zone One programming is established.

• Full health benefits
• 401(k) with employer match
• Coaching education and licensing support
• Access to club facilities, resources, and technical staff across all regions

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role to jraper@matchfitacademy.net.

In your cover letter, please address:

• Why this role, and why Match Fit Surf — what draws you to a club-wide role spanning fundraising, programs, marketing, and communications.
• Your relevant experience across two or more of these areas, with specific examples (a fundraising campaign you led, a program you built, a rebrand or communications effort you drove, etc.).
• An example of a time you managed multiple priorities or stakeholders at once — this role works across five regions and several functions simultaneously.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates who don't check every box to apply — we're looking for the right combination of relationship-building, organizational, and storytelling skills as much as a specific résumé match.

Match Fit Surf Soccer Club is an equal opportunity employer.