Why you should join us-

At SYSA, we believe youth sports have the power to build confidence, character, and lifelong connections. For more than 50 years, we've served families throughout the greater Seattle area by providing safe, inclusive, and high-quality soccer programs that put players first. When you join our team, you're joining a mission-driven nonprofit where your work has a direct impact on thousands of young athletes, coaches, and volunteers each year. We foster a collaborative, supportive workplace where new ideas are welcomed, professional growth is encouraged, and every team member plays an important role in strengthening our community. If you're passionate about youth development, community engagement, and creating exceptional experiences through sport, we'd love to have you on our team.

Open Roles:

Executive Director

The Seattle Youth Soccer Association is searching for an Executive Director to lead the organization, and who will also serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader who can combine strategic vision with strong execution. They are someone who understands how to grow impact responsibly and values shared leadership, accountability, and sound governance. They understand the importance of empowering underrepresented communities and are committed to cultural competency throughout the organization. The ED will be a dynamic leader with experience in providing strategic direction for non-profit growth, while simultaneously overseeing the day-to-day operations of staff, spearheading fundraising efforts, managing financial performance, and being the primary liaison to stakeholders. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Mission & Impact: Champion SYSA’s mission by centering youth soccer player success and ensuring SYSA remains a safe, welcoming organization providing recreational & competitive soccer opportunities by supporting its member clubs. Serve as a compelling representative of SYSA’s mission and show impact.

Strategic Leadership: Develop annual and multi-year strategies that advance soccer opportunities for Seattle youth soccer players and support its member clubs aligned with SYSA’s mission and vision. Translate strategies into clear priorities, operational roadmaps, and measurable outcomes. Ensure organizational systems and structures support long-term impact and resilience. Adjust plans and programs as the youth soccer landscape evolves.

Financial Stewardship: Drive financial goals that optimize SYSA’s impact and advance its mission. Oversee budgeting, fundraising management, cash flow management, financial reporting, and long-term forecasting to safeguard fiscal health in partnership with the Board and executive officers. Jointly, with the board president, manage official correspondence and legal documents on behalf of the organization.

Board Partnership & Governance: Partner with the Board in strategic planning and informed decision-making. Provide timely, accurate updates on organizational performance, mission-critical opportunities, risks, and mitigations. Strengthen governance through effective processes, clear communication, and committee participation.

Program & Operations Oversight: Work with staff to ensure seamless day-to-day operations, program quality and excellence, and services aligned with organization goals. Steward SYSA-owned property and uphold health, safety, and regulatory standards.

Fundraising & Resource Development: Lead a cohesive measurable fundraising plan to grow more opportunities for the soccer community with an emphasis on disadvantaged and underrepresented populations and communities. Secure diversified financial, and in-kind support, from foundations, corporations, individuals, and public sources. Cultivate and steward donors and support grant applications.

Team Leadership & HR: Lead, support, and develop a small, high-performing team. Cultivate an inclusive supportive culture that attracts and retains talent. Support the framework for recruiting, hiring, and evaluating staff with regular performance evaluations and sound HR practices. 

External Relations & Communications: Serve as SYSA’s primary spokesperson and ambassador while promoting staff participation and visibility in community events. Publicize SYSA’s activities, programs, and impact to keep members and the public informed. Increase visibility and gain resources through media, events, and strategic partnerships. Build intentional alliances with complementary organizations, and identify and foster new relationships with innovative partners, community leaders, nonprofits, and public officials, including representing SYSA to relevant government agencies.

Compliance & Risk Management: Implement and monitor controls that address emerging political and economic risks. Protect SYSA assets and implement and maintain risk management best practices including digital security. Maintain working knowledge of significant developments and trends in youth soccer, including SafeSport and other child-safety governance requirements. Ensure adherence to SYSA bylaws, administrative rules, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, (Master’s degree preferred) in Business Administration, Non-Profit Management, Education, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive management experience, including an executive-level or senior leadership role, ideally within a nonprofit or membership-based organization.

• Demonstrated knowledge of non-profit leadership and management principles.

• A history of working effectively with a volunteer board of directors.

• Ability to identify, track, and report outcomes of different metrics; financial, social, and market trends.

• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working effectively with other non-profits and community groups.

• Proven track record of providing strategic direction in a collaborative manner, with tact, diplomacy, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience engaging with and presenting to diverse stakeholders effectively.

CORE SKILLS & QUALITIES

SYSA actively encourages applicants to apply who bring varied professional and volunteer experience to the role and who are eager to represent the soccer community that SYSA serves.

• Proven executive leadership, demonstrated emotional intelligence, and sound judgment.

• A clean record of professional conduct, collaborative people management, and communication skills, and a historic commitment of fostering a safe, healthy, inclusive work environment.

• Experience as a spokesperson for an organization, as a representative competing for funding, or presenting in large forums.

• High adaptability and excels under pressure.

• Entrepreneurial mindset that understands how to do a lot with a little; lean, creative, and innovative.

• Strong financial acumen with a good understanding of success metrics for non-profits.

• Ability to build and motivate teams to achieve appropriate outcomes.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Executive Director, or CEO of a non-profit organization.

• High level involvement with youth sports development, social enterprise, and community sports (preferably soccer) organizations.

SALARY

$92,000–$140,000 annually, depending on experience. The position is year-round, averaging 40 hours per week, with occasional work on weekends and evenings.

BENEFITS

Healthcare stipend, paid time off, 9 paid holidays, and sick time. This is not an inclusive list of benefits but representative. The wage range and benefits description are disclosed in accordance with the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (RCW 49.58).

TO APPLY: Please email your resume and a cover letter that addresses your interest in non-profit work for a youth focused organization. jobs@sysa.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the performance of these essential functions. The majority of working conditions will be those of an office setting with occasional car travel, and occasional work  on nights and weekends and lifting and carrying of soccer equipment up to 50lb.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the employee to perform the essential functions. Work will occur in both office and remote settings, with occasional evening and weekend hours and some local travel to represent SYSA in the greater Seattle community.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & FAIR CHANCE HIRING

Equal Opportunity Employer: Seattle Youth Soccer Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, use of a trained dog guide or service animal, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other status protected under the Seattle Fair Employment Practices Ordinance (SMC 14.04), the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60), and applicable federal law.

Fair Chance Hiring: SYSA considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance (SMC 14.17) and the Washington Fair Chance Act (RCW 49.94). Criminal history questions and background checks, where applicable, occur only after an initial screening for minimum qualifications, and a conviction record will not automatically disqualify an applicant absent a legitimate business reason. Where a role involves unsupervised access to minors, SYSA will conduct any required background screening in compliance with applicable law and SafeSport child-safety standards.

Reasonable Accommodation: SYSA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60). Applicants requiring an accommodation during the application or interview process may request one by contacting SYSA.