San Diego FC is actively recruiting for a pivotal leadership role, seeking a Senior Human Resources Manager to guide its football and academy operations. The new position will be based at the state-of-the-art Sharp HealthCare Performance Center in El Cajon, California.
The successful candidate will command an annual salary between $80,000 and $90,000. This role is considered crucial for the professional soccer club as it continues to build its organizational framework ahead of its inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The manager will be instrumental in shaping the employee experience and fostering a high-performance culture within the expanding club.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, the position is designed to be the primary HR partner for all football and academy staff. While the role is centred in El Cajon, it will be fully integrated with the broader HR team located at the club’s headquarters in Little Italy, ensuring a cohesive approach to personnel management across the entire organization.
New role to shape club culture
The core responsibilities of the HR Manager extend beyond traditional administrative duties. The position is tasked with driving the club's people strategies and achieving operational excellence in several key areas. These include recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and fostering the club’s unique culture.
A significant part of the role involves championing a culture of inclusivity, development, and high performance. The manager will lead initiatives related to employee engagement, recognition, and team-building to strengthen retention and professional growth. This aligns with the club’s stated commitment to creating an environment rooted in accountability, collaboration, and continuous feedback. The new manager will join a growing team that includes the successful San Diego Wave FC, which has already established a strong soccer presence in the region.
This strategic hire is a key component of the club's foundational phase, emphasizing the importance of establishing a robust internal structure. As San Diego FC prepares for its MLS debut, creating a supportive and effective workplace is paramount to attracting and retaining top talent both on and off the pitch. The organization's philosophy appears to mirror high-performance models seen in other sectors, where institutional stability is seen as a precursor to success, a concept explored in research at the University of Calgary on tackling global challenges. The anticipated economic benefits are also considerable, with Los Angeles expecting a $594M boost from the 2026 World Cup.
Recruitment and development a key focus
A major focus for the Senior HR Manager will be leading full-cycle recruiting for both the senior football team and the academy. This includes workforce planning with club leadership, defining sourcing strategies, and ensuring a positive candidate experience. The role requires a partnership with hiring managers to develop compelling and inclusive job descriptions tailored to the specialized needs of a professional sports team.
Given the global nature of soccer, the position involves navigating complex logistical and legal challenges. The manager will collaborate with legal experts and league partners to handle immigration, relocation, and work authorization processes for players and staff from around the world. This international aspect is reflected in the club’s preference for candidates with experience supporting multi-cultural teams or global organizations.
Beyond recruitment, the role is vital for staff development. The manager will champion a culture of continuous learning across the Sharp HealthCare Performance Center, facilitating annual compliance, safeguarding, and professional development training programs. They will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of these programs and using data to recommend improvements, ensuring that all personnel have opportunities for growth.
Emphasis on player safety and compliance
A defining responsibility of this position is serving as the club’s Student-Athlete Safety Lead for both the performance centre and San Diego FC's Right to Dream Academy. This places the manager at the forefront of the club's safeguarding efforts.
The role involves leading safeguarding education, implementing reporting protocols, and mitigating risks in alignment with standards set by major governing bodies, including MLS, U.S. Soccer, and FIFA. The manager will conduct safeguarding-related risk assessments and investigations, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all student-athletes and employees. This commitment to safety includes mandatory background screenings and certifications for staff.
Furthermore, the manager must ensure strict compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, with a particular focus on California’s specific labour regulations. They will oversee all onboarding compliance, including I-9 administration, background checks, and work authorizations. The dynamic nature of sports regulation means the manager will need to monitor regulatory updates and HR best practices to proactively recommend policy improvements.
Ideal candidate profile
San Diego FC is seeking a candidate with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, coupled with at least seven years of progressive HR experience. Preference will be given to individuals with a background in professional sports, athletics, educational institutions, or other high-performance environments.
Familiarity with the regulatory landscapes of MLS, U.S. Soccer, and FIFA is preferred, as is knowledge of immigration processes. The ability to speak both Spanish and English is also a preferred qualification, reflecting the diversity of the sport and the San Diego community. For those considering a move, a relocation guide to San Diego highlights the city's vibrant culture.
The ideal candidate must be adept at managing confidential information and complex employee matters with discretion and sound judgment. The role demands strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills to build trusted relationships across the club. Based onsite in El Cajon, the position requires the flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support club events as the team builds its presence in the community.
