Charlotte, North Carolina, About Charlotte Development Academy
Charlotte Development Academy (CDA) is an all-girls youth soccer club built on a simple but powerful conviction: Intentional training matters more than most clubs are willing to admit. We have spent years developing a methodology that is fundamentally different from the traditional club model — one that maximizes every inch of training space and every minute on the field to create reality-based, game-like experiences that prepare players for the moments that count.
We train with intensity and purpose. We believe that the quality of what happens in training is the driving force behind individual - team performance, player growth, and the reputation we have built as a relevant and respected program in the female youth soccer landscape across the region.
Our mission is to elevate the value of training. It’s what drives everything we do.
As a member club of the Girls Academy League (GA) — one of the elite youth soccer leagues in the United States — CDA provides a top class environment where young women compete and grow at the highest level. But it is truly our training culture, not just our league affiliation, that sets us apart.
The Opportunity
CDA is seeking a Girls Academy Director who does not just manage a program — but who believes, deeply and practically, that training is where development really happens. This leader will inherit a program with strong foundations and a clear identity and will be responsible for protecting that identity while driving it forward.
The Director will oversee all GA teams (U13–U19), lead the coaching staff, design our player development curriculum, and serve as the standard-bearer for a training culture built on purpose, intensity, and game-realistic environments. If you have spent your career looking for a club that places true emphasis on training and has a culture where the parents are as completely bought in as you are, this is that place.
Primary Responsibilities
Leadership & Program Oversight
Oversee all Girls Academy teams (U13–U19 or applicable age groups)
Collaborate in the plan all training sessions for GA teams in direct alignment with CDA’s training methodology and culture
Ensure the program reflects and advances CDA’s mission to elevate the value of training
Lead and evaluate GA coaching staff, holding them accountable to program standards
Conduct regular staff meetings and performance reviews
League & Compliance Management
Serve as primary contact with the Girls Academy league office and officials
Ensure compliance with all league standards, policies, and roster requirements
Manage scheduling, travel planning, and showcase participation
Oversee player registration and eligibility processes
Player Development & Curriculum
Design and implement an age-specific curriculum linked CDA’s training methodology
Build training environments that maximize space, intensity, and purposeful repetition
Monitor training quality and match performance across all GA teams
Create a framework for player, team, and coach evaluations
Lead ID sessions and player evaluations
Establish clear pathways from Pre-GA and DPL teams into GA teams
College Recruiting Support
Guide players and families through the college recruitment process
Maintain active relationships with college coaches at all levels
Coordinate communication, highlight videos, and showcase exposure
Track and report college commitments
Communication & Culture
Champion and model CDA’s training-first culture at every level of the program
Lead parent meetings and player education sessions
Handle conflict resolution professionally and proactively
Represent the club at league meetings and events
Administrative & Budget Oversight
Assist with budgeting and financial planning for the GA program
Approve travel logistics and tournament selection
Collaborate with club leadership on staffing and strategic growth
Qualifications
USSF A License minimum required
5+ years of experience coaching elite-level girls’ soccer
Prior leadership or director-level experience
A demonstrable training philosophy — candidates should be able to speak concretely about how and why they structure sessions the way they do
Strong knowledge of the college recruiting landscape
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple teams and staff members simultaneously
Collegiate playing or coaching background preferred
Experience within GA, ECNL, MLS NEXT, or similar elite platforms preferred
Key Competencies
Visionary leadership with a training-first mindset
Staff development and mentorship
High-level tactical knowledge and session design expertise
Ability to create game-realistic, high-intensity training environments
Player and parent relationship management
Strategic planning and professional communication
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with experience. The full package may include:
•Competitive base salary
•Performance-based bonuses
•Travel support
•Continuing education and license upgrade reimbursement
•Additional club benefits