Director of Identification

Company Background

The Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting soccer participation and growth in Houston, TX and beyond. The Club’s brands include men's and women's professional teams - the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL), a development academy, Houston Dynamo Dash Charities, as well as Shell Energy Stadium and Houston Sports Park.  

The Club has a rich history, including MLS Cup titles (2006, 2007) and in-season tournament championships for both the Dynamo (2018) (2023) and Dash (2020) and is focused on building toward the next championships, inspiring and uniting the city of Houston through the sport of soccer and community outreach, and creating the most inclusive sporting experience and diverse fan base in the city and state.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Houston Dynamo FC is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to build and oversee a world-class Player Identification & Recruitment Department. Reporting directly to the President of Soccer (CSO), this role will play a central part in shaping the future of the club by identifying, evaluating, and recruiting players who reflect our playing philosophy, competitive ambitions, and cultural values. The Director will be responsible for developing the club’s global scouting infrastructure, integrating modern evaluation tools, and managing a high-performing team that delivers consistent talent identification results for the first team.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Department Leadership: Establish, expand, and manage the Houston Dynamo FC Identification & Recruitment Department, with a primary focus on first-team player recruitment.
• Scouting Network: Build, oversee, and nurture a global network of scouts to ensure comprehensive coverage across key markets.
• Player Evaluation: Leverage data, video analysis, live scouting, and innovative information sources to assess player performance and potential.
• Database Management: Develop and maintain a centralized player database that houses all scouting reports, assessments, and recruitment insights.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with technical leadership to design and execute a recruitment strategy aligned with the club’s philosophy, style of play, and financial framework.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate strong relationships with agents, clubs, leagues, and other key stakeholders across the global soccer ecosystem.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with the Head Coach, Technical Director, and Assistant GM to ensure alignment between recruitment targets and team needs.
• Additional Duties: Support other technical projects and responsibilities as directed by the President of Soccer (CSO)
  
  

Qualification Requirements

• Proven experience leading a professional club’s scouting or recruitment department.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in player identification and recruitment.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing staff in a high-performance environment.
• Strong knowledge of MLS roster rules and player acquisition mechanisms (preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); experience with scouting/analysis platforms is a plus.
• Minimum USSF B License (or equivalent) preferred.
• Fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Other Attributes

• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with commitment to collaboration.
• High professional standards with an emphasis on accountability, confidentiality, and integrity.
• Excellent communication skills with respect, empathy, and inclusiveness.
• Adaptability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Dedication to continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence.
• Willingness to travel extensively (domestically and internationally) and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
  
  

Other Information

Diverse candidates of all backgrounds are welcome, and the Club seeks individuals passionate about sport, inspiring the city and devoted to the organization's growth. While duties and responsibilities vary across positions, we are seeking individuals who are accountable, collaborative, progressive, agile, and ethical/values driven. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.