Job Description

About the Opportunity

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is one of the fastest-growing professional sports leagues in the U.S., powered by 16 clubs and a deep roster of the world's best players, and built on record-shattering fan, media and commercial growth. Now in its 13th season, the league's momentum continues to accelerate, with viewership and attendance numbers growing rapidly, social media fandom on the rise, team valuations massively increasing and new top sponsors investing in the NWSL brand.

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This unprecedented growth in audience, media reach, and franchise value reflects the NWSL's expanding fan base and increasing dominance in the sports-media landscape and popular culture. The future of the NWSL is now - and we're looking for world-class talent like you to help us continue the momentum.

The Role

Reporting to Vice President, Legal, the League Safety Officer is a critical, authoritative, and high-impact leadership role responsible for driving player well-being and systemic integrity across the NWSL. This position serves to ensure the highest standards of safety, protection, and response are maintained league-wide for our players and other constituents.

You will spearhead both proactive and reactive reform, utilizing a unique awareness of player concerns to create a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive environment that maximizes our players' ability to be at their best. Player safeguarding extends comprehensively to include prevention and response against physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; exploitation; and severe training or psychological damage.

The ideal candidate is a natural connector and trusted liaison, possessing exceptional listening, communication, and relationship-building skills to effectively champion the ideals of integrity and safety in our League. They demonstrate a versatile, trauma-informed approach, leveraging an intersectional framework to advocate for diverse communities and identities. You must also be detail-oriented and versatile enough to be athlete-centered while owning and maintaining the completion of the League's safety reporting and compliance obligations.

What You Will Own & Drive

The League Safety Officer is accountable for the following strategic and operational functions:

• Strategy Implementation: Lead the comprehensive delivery of all aspects of the NWSL Safety Strategies, including conducting mandatory in-person training across all NWSL players and clubs.
• Strategic Collaboration: Maintain active partnerships with the NWSLPA, Club Player Safety Officers, and U.S. Soccer's Office of Player Safeguarding to align efforts.
• Metrics & Reporting: Create, distribute, analyze, and disseminate the findings of the annual NWSL Player Survey, culminating in the Annual NWSL Player Safety Report which details metrics, reform implementation, and future action plans.
• Regulatory Compliance & Liaison: Work closely with regulatory and governing bodies (U.S. Soccer, SafeSport, FIFA, USOPC) and potentially state/federal agencies on safeguarding matters and compliance with annual reporting deadlines.
• Policy Development: Develop, implement, and enforce all essential procedures and guidelines for safeguarding standards, educating participants and maintaining awareness of national/international safeguarding issues.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the league's authoritative internal expert and resource on all player health, safety, and well-being issues, promoting inclusive and safe soccer environments while aggressively mitigating risk.
• League Administration: Lead other League safety measures as necessary, including managing background check process, triaging and responding to player complaints, aiding in investigations of wrongdoing as needed, and assisting in other efforts to maintain the integrity and safety of all League operations.

What You Will Bring

Core Qualifications

• Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree; 8+ years of specialized experience in social work, employee health and safety, or trauma-informed investigations.
• Core Knowledge: Comprehensive and proven understanding of trauma-informed safeguarding prevention and response; knowledge of trauma-informed investigative processes and appropriate resources.
• Attention to Detail: Demonstrated ability to maintain rigorous accuracy and precision necessary for timely compliance with all legally mandated governmental and oversight reporting requirements, as well as managing deadlines for implementing biannual organizational surveys.
• Communication & Judgment: Outstanding interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, discretion, and a high level of confidentiality. Clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of statutory authorities.
• Conflict Resolution and Investigative Acumen: Proven ability to effectively triage, manage, and respond to sensitive player complaints, including conducting confidential interviews with complainants and providing essential support throughout internal investigations.
• Operational Requirements: Ability to work under pressure and execute deadlines in fast-paced environments; proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Flexibility: Able and willing to work non-traditional hours (evenings/weekends) and travel up to 30% of the year.
• Foundational Understanding: Clear understanding of the historical context of systemic abuse in the NWSL.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professionalism: Possesses a strong professional and positive presence that authentically represents the league.
• Ethical Leadership: Guided by strong moral and ethical principles; accountable for all actions/decisions and committed to seeking continuous self-improvement and feedback.
• Expertise in Sport: Strong knowledge of sports governance and the player experience within the NWSL.

Our Investment in You

In addition to working in an incredible, inclusive, and committed-to-diversity culture, we offer:

• Competitive Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000 (Salary is contingent upon candidate qualifications and functional business needs).
• Time & Flexibility: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), sick days, and an end-of-year office closure.
• Hybrid Work Model: Three days in-office and two remote days per week.
• Robust Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health benefits for employees and dependents.
• Financial Future: 401k with employer match and safe harbor contributions.
• Additional Perks: Commuter benefits, Short/Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Voluntary Pet Insurance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The NWSL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are deeply committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. All employment decisions-including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, and termination-are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@nwslsoccer.com .

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