Senior Manager, Human Resources

Senior Manager, Human Resources

San Diego FC (San Diego FC) is the newest member of the Major League Soccer (MLS) family. As part of the unique Right to Dream model and the Sycuan Tribe’s deep roots, we are proud to be building a San Diego-centric soccer organization that honors our history and celebrates emerging excellence.

Our Club will be unique in offering not only a world-class professional soccer experience to the community, but by building and operating a 125,000 square foot performance center and Right to Dream Academy that will enable us to develop future generations of world-class players across greater San Diego. The construction of this campus lays the foundation for SDFC to nurture the dreams of young talent, fostering a stronger community, and creating a legacy of soccer excellence.

We are looking for a passionate and experienced HR professional, familiar with the culture, cadence and regulations of working in the professional sports industry and/or a residential elite youth sport academy.

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Senior VP, Human Resources, the Senior Manager of Human Resources will play a pivotal role in managing all HR functions within San Diego FC. This HR Leader will collaborate with department heads and the senior leadership team to develop, implement, and manage comprehensive people programs across the Club and Academy. This includes talent attraction, recruiting, employee retention, onboarding, organizational development, learning and development, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, and culture building.

Key Responsibilities:

Recruiting and Onboarding:

• Evaluate and enhance recruiting strategies to attract top-tier talent for all areas of the Club.
• Work with legal and the League on compliant recruitment processes, work visas, relocation and Diversity processes.
• Oversee the continuous improvement and development of the onboarding process to ensure seamless integration of new hires.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify staffing needs and create strategic job descriptions.
• Develop SDFC’s Internship program and community outreach program.

Learning and Development:

• Collaborate in design and provide leadership in the delivery of training programs to support employee development and career progression.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify training needs and skills gaps, creating targeted development plans.
• Advocate for continuous learning and professional development opportunities throughout the organization.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and make data-driven adjustments to enhance outcomes.

Talent Management:

• Develop and implement performance management systems, succession planning, and career development programs.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on performance management issues.
• Design and implement innovative employee recognition and engagement programs.
• Reinforce a culture of continuous feedback and improvement.
• Advise on compensation plans.

Culture Building:

• Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop initiatives to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Lead and execute initiatives to cultivate and maintain a strong organizational culture aligned with the Club values.

Employee Relations:

• Act as a trusted advisor to employees and management on HR-related issues.
• Address concerns and resolve conflicts with a strategic approach that aligns with the SDFC’s culture.
• Promote and sustain a positive work environment, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and high performance.
• Lead regular consultations with staff to understand and address their needs and concerns effectively.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Develop and implement policies to mitigate HR-related risks.
• General oversight and enforcement of HR policies and programs, ensuring compliance with MLS, US Soccer Federation and FIFA, regulations, safeguarding policies, and California labor laws.
• Ongoing monitoring and interpretation of regulatory changes and industry best practices to proactively implement necessary adjustments to Club policies.
• Management of employment issues, ensuring legal standards and best practices are met and upheld.
• Create dashboards and meaningful metrics to measure employee-related information.

Benefits, Health and Safety Administration:

• Oversee the administration, communication and strategic enhancement of employee benefits programs.
• Ensure employees have a thorough understanding of their benefits and provide support for any issues or inquiries.
• Continuously evaluate and improve benefits offerings to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
• Working with Operations, provide HR perspective on the development and implementation of comprehensive safety protocols and procedures across corporate, retail, and academy operations to ensure a secure working environment.
• Lead strategic initiatives to foster a culture of safety and well-being within the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates can meet the requirements with a combination of experience in the following areas:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of senior HR management experience, preferably in professional sports or similar industry.
• Experience working in Residential Academy, Academic institution, and/or start-up experience very helpful.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment or global organization.
• General knowledge of MLS regulations, safeguarding, safety protocols, education and California employment laws.
• Proven track record in strategic employee relations, training, and development.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information and multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growing environment.
• Strong organizational and strategic event planning skills.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO FC:

Our VISION is to be the epicenter of football excellence and innovation in North America.

Our MISSION is to create opportunities for talent to flourish and San Diego to shine.

We value community, diversity, and acting with purpose. We are looking for leaders at all levels to co-create the culture of a new organization that is built on the premise that you can discover, understand, and re-define excellence by nurturing talent and creating opportunity anywhere – specifically though soccer.

This is an opportunity to be a part of a great team building something meaningful for San Diego. We offer excellent benefits including cost-free life and disability coverage, medical, dental, vision plan options with very generous company contributions, flexible spending accounts, accident plans, pet insurance, over 30 days of paid time off, and a 4% company match on your 401(k). Soccer is humanity and together, we can make a meaningful impact both on and off the field, fostering a culture that embraces excellence and equal opportunities. SDFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers reasonable accommodation.

We encourage all individuals who share our commitment to community and soccer to apply.