Manager, Opdl

Position Title: Manager, OPDL & Club Development

Position Term: Permanent Full Time
Location: Vaughan, Ontario

Reports To: Senior Manager, Development & Provincial Xcel

Background:
Do you want to gain invaluable work experience in the world of amateur sport? Have you ever wanted to help grow the game of soccer in Ontario?

Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is comprised of more than 540 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters comprising a direct, multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians.

Ontario Soccer develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders.

An overall goal of Ontario Soccer is to assist with the development of soccer as a healthy lifestyle choice, provide a talented pathway for players to excel and encourage community involvement at all levels.

Position Summary:
This position provides leadership and guidance for the ongoing implementation of Long-Term Player
Development in Ontario. This position will work with the Ontario Soccer membership to educate and develop resources and tools to assist with the implementation of training and competition standards.

The primary accountability for the Manager, OPDL & Club Development will be to develop program initiatives for the management and oversight of the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), promote and support implementation of Canada Soccer programming and the Provincial Xcel
Program in Ontario.

This position will support the Sr. Manager, Development & Provincial Xcel in the implementation of programs and other organizational priorities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Ontario Player Development League
- Oversee the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL);
- Regular communication, workshops, presentations and training to the membership regarding

Ontario Soccer programming;
- Through consistent review, design an efficient annual budget for all department areas;
- Support the Director, Development on the implementation of technical strategies, projects and programs;
- Provide guidance and direction to member clubs regarding player detection and selection;
- Provide technical leadership and support to member organizations on design and delivery of technical programming;
- Leadership in the area of accessible soccer and futsal programs;
- Oversee the League Management Provider to ensure operational efficiency;
- Lead the development and enforcement of all Procedures, Rules & Regulations of the OPDL;
- Collaborate with internal staff on the implementation of standards-based programs for various stakeholder groups such as players, coaches and match officials;
- Support the delivery of the Provincial Xcel Program and events as required;
- Oversee data entry and support of OPDL club staff on the use of the Player Management

Platform; and
- Serve as staff resource to the Technical Advisory Committee as required.

Club Development
- Overall management of the Canada Soccer Club Licensing program;
- Support the planning and preparation of meetings and education sessions for the OPDL and

Club Licensing program;
- Support the development of an Annual Calendar for all Club Licensing related activities;
- Ensure administrative support is available for members using the Club Licensing System;
- Support the development of resources for clubs within the Club Licensing Program;
- Support the planning and preparation of meetings and education sessions;
- Coordinate schedules to allow for effective assessment of club’s against outlined standards;
- Liaise with external sport organizations on the development of all program areas; and
- Serve as staff resource to the Competitions Management Committee as required.

Qualifications:
**Experience**:

- A comprehensive understanding of the issues facing sport in Ontario;
- Minimum of three years management experience including leading a staff;
- Experience in technical curriculum program development and oversight;
- Program planning, development and enhancement;
- Proven leadership experience with a track record of innovation; and
- Organization of competition and events.

Education and Professional Designations:

- Post-Secondary education in sports administration, physical education, recreation or other related discipline; or comparable work experience;
- Post-secondary degree in sports management or related field; and

Soccer-specific licensing and education an asset.

Skills and Competencies:

- Strong analytical skills with ability to identify trends and make appropriate recommendations;
- Thorough understanding of Long-Term Player Development principles;
- Ability to use an evidence based approach to enhance programs and creatively solve problems;