Regional Refereeing Lead Northeast

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

The Regional Refereeing Lead – Northeast leads U.S. Soccer’s refereeing development activity across the Northeast region and serves as the primary link between U.S. Soccer’s national refereeing strategy and regional delivery.

The role works closely with State Referee Committees, local referee organizations, competition partners, referee coaches, and other regional stakeholders to strengthen referee development, support consistent delivery of national programs, and provide a visible and connected U.S. Soccer presence across the region.

The Northeast Region includes engagement with the State Referee Committees serving Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York East, New York West, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

The position supports the regional delivery of national refereeing programs across education, coaching, evaluation, referee safety, talent identification, and development. This includes leading the regional delivery of R90+ and ensuring the program is effectively connected to the wider referee development pathway.

The Regional Refereeing Lead builds strong relationships across the region, supports State Referee Committees and local organizations in implementing national priorities, and brings regional insight directly into how refereeing programs are designed, refined, and delivered.

The position coordinates referees, coaches, and development activity across matches, coaching touchpoints, assessments, and regional events, ensuring a consistent and practical approach to referee development.

The Regional Refereeing Lead also contributes to talent identification and progression by providing performance insight, observations, and recommendations to support national decision-making.

Working closely with national refereeing staff and fellow Regional Refereeing Leads, the position ensures regional delivery aligns with national standards while helping shape how national programs evolve. The role brings a clear view of regional activity, emerging talent, development needs, challenges, and opportunities into national planning and decision-making.

As U.S. Soccer’s refereeing voice in the Northeast, the Regional Refereeing Lead must be an exceptional communicator. This person explains national direction clearly in writing and in person, presents confidently to audiences ranging from volunteer referees to state leadership, and can deliver difficult or unpopular decisions while keeping the trust and credibility of the people affected.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with State Referee Committees, local referee organizations, competition partners, and regional programs to support alignment with U.S. Soccer refereeing strategy.
• Serve as a key U.S. Soccer refereeing development contact for State Referee Committees across the Northeast, maintaining regular engagement, understanding regional needs, and supporting implementation of national initiatives.
• Support the regional delivery of national programs across referee education, coaching, evaluation, referee safety, talent identification, and development.
• Gather structured feedback from regional stakeholders and work with national staff to shape the design, refinement, and rollout of refereeing programs, bringing a regional perspective into national planning rather than reporting on delivery.
• Collaborate with peer Regional Refereeing Leads to share effective practice, align delivery and coaching standards, coordinate cross-regional opportunities such as shared events and referee exchanges, and ensure a consistent national experience for referees and coaches.
• Coordinate regional referee development activities across matches, coaching touchpoints, assessments, and events to support continuous development.
• Lead the regional delivery of R90+, ensuring alignment with national standards, structure, and expectations.
• Support the ongoing development of R90+ participants through coaching, development planning, match opportunities, regional events, and performance tracking.
• Lead and coordinate the regional coaching network, working with stakeholders to allocate coaches, oversee delivery, and maintain consistent coaching standards.
• Coordinate and guide the assignment of referees to appropriate development matches, events, and opportunities, aligning activity to referee readiness and program objectives.
• Build relationships with regional competitions and events to create appropriate development, observation, coaching, and talent identification opportunities for referees.
• Ensure regional referee development activity is accurately captured within U.S. Soccer’s referee intelligence platforms, supporting consistent tracking, accurate data, and effective use of insights.
• Identify and monitor referees with potential for progression, providing performance data, observations, and recommendations to support national selection and advancement decisions.
• Maintain a clear view of referee and coach development across the Northeast and provide regular insight to national staff on regional activity, emerging talent, development needs, risks, and opportunities.
• Act as the primary voice of U.S. Soccer refereeing in the Northeast, communicating national programs, priorities, and decisions through written updates, presentations, and direct conversations, including explaining difficult or unpopular decisions in a way that maintains trust and credibility.
• Work with operational teams to support the effective planning and delivery of regional events and development activity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience delivering referee development or coaching within a structured pathway at state, national, or professional level.
• Strong understanding of the IFAB Laws of the Game and referee performance standards.
• Experience observing and supporting match officials in live match environments.
• Experience implementing and coordinating development programs across multiple organizations or regions.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build alignment across a regional structure.
• Strong operational skills, including planning, prioritization, and delivery across multiple workstreams.
• Ability to interpret performance information to support development and identification decisions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work across technical, operational, and leadership groups.
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to operate in evolving environments and build structure where needed.
• Willingness to travel regionally and work in live competition environments.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working within a national referee development system.
• Experience using video analysis and performance tracking tools.
• Experience supporting or contributing to talent identification and advancement processes.
• Experience working with volunteer coach networks.
• Background as a high-level referee or referee coach.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.