ACADEMY HEAD COACH
Full Time and Part Time Opportunities
FC Copa Academy | Central New Jersey and New York Metro Area
About FC Copa Academy
FC Copa Academy is one of the premier youth soccer organizations in the United States, serving thousands of players and fielding more than 100 teams annually across New Jersey and New York.
With more than 20 years of sustained growth and success, FC Copa Academy has become one of the most respected player development organizations in the Northeast, known for developing players, coaches, and leaders at every level of the game.
For more than two decades, FC Copa Academy has been committed to developing players, coaches, and people through a culture centered on excellence, professionalism, accountability, and long term player development.
The club has produced three National Championships, hundreds of collegiate athletes, and numerous players who have progressed into professional and national team environments.
FC Copa Academy competes across many of the nation’s most respected platforms, including:
- USL2
- USLW
- USL Academy
- ECNL Regional League
- National League 1
- EDP League
The club’s developmental pathway spans grassroots soccer through pre professional environments, creating meaningful opportunities for players and coaches alike.
As FC Copa Academy continues to grow, we are seeking passionate, motivated, and professional coaches who are committed to making a positive impact on players and families while continuing to develop their own coaching careers.
Position Overview
FC Copa Academy is hiring Academy Head Coaches to lead competitive youth teams across our developmental pathway, ages U9 through U19.
We are seeking coaches who view coaching as more than a part time activity. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about player development, committed to continuous improvement, and capable of positively influencing the lives of young athletes both on and off the field.
Successful candidates will be responsible for leading training sessions, managing team environments, coaching matches, and helping players reach their full potential both on and off the field.
Depending on qualifications and availability, coaches may be assigned one or two teams.
One team typically requires approximately 8 to 12 hours per week during the primary season. Two teams typically require approximately 15 to 20 hours per week, depending on age group, competition level, and travel schedule.
Additional paid opportunities may include camps, clinics, private training, supplemental programming, tournament coverage, and special events.
Part Time roles focus primarily on team coaching responsibilities.
Full Time roles combine team coaching with additional club responsibilities such as age group leadership, curriculum implementation, academy operations support, player development initiatives, coach mentoring, and future director track opportunities.
Training Locations & Schedule
Training and matches take place throughout Central New Jersey and the New York Metro Area.
Coaches should expect multiple weekly training sessions, weekend matches, tournaments, showcases, and periodic club events throughout the year.
Travel is primarily regional throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is ideal for:
- Experienced youth coaches seeking a professional and growth oriented environment
- Former collegiate or professional players looking to transition into coaching
- Ambitious coaches seeking mentorship, education, and long term advancement opportunities
- Coaches who are passionate about player development and committed to continuous learning
- Individuals who aspire to grow into leadership, academy leadership, age group leadership, or director level positions over time
Required Qualifications
- Previous coaching experience within youth soccer
- USSF D License or equivalent coaching qualification, with a commitment to pursue higher licensure
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Availability for evening training sessions, weekend matches, tournaments, and showcases
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Successful completion of background check requirements
- SafeSport certification, or willingness to complete prior to first assignment
- Concussion training certification, or willingness to complete prior to first assignment
Preferred Qualifications
- USSF C License or higher
- UEFA equivalent coaching license
- United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diplomas or equivalent coaching education
- Previous experience coaching competitive youth soccer
- Previous experience coaching within ECNL, National League, USL Academy, MLS Next, EDP, or comparable competitive environments
- Playing and/or coaching experience within collegiate, professional, academy, or high performance environments
- Experience working within structured player development pathways
- Three or more years coaching competitive youth soccer
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- A genuine passion for coaching and player development
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- High character, professionalism, and integrity
- A growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning
- The ability to build positive relationships with players, families, and staff
- The ability to create engaging, energetic, and developmentally appropriate training environments
- A desire to contribute to a collaborative club culture
- The ability to inspire players while maintaining high standards and accountability
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver engaging, age appropriate training sessions aligned with the club’s developmental philosophy
- Serve as Head Coach for assigned competitive youth teams
- Lead teams during league matches, tournaments, showcases, and club events
- Create positive, challenging, and player centered learning environments
- Teach the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of the game
- Develop players as athletes and people through leadership, accountability, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship
- Communicate professionally and consistently with players, families, and club leadership
- Complete player evaluations and developmental feedback as required
- Participate in tryouts, roster building, and team selection in collaboration with technical leadership
- Maintain SafeSport, background check, and concussion certification requirements while upholding the club’s child safety and code of conduct standards
- Attend coaching education opportunities, meetings, and club events
- Collaborate with club leadership and fellow coaches to ensure consistency throughout the player pathway
- Represent FC Copa Academy with professionalism and integrity at all times
Coaching Development & Career Growth
FC Copa Academy is committed not only to developing players, but also to developing coaches.
One of the organization’s greatest strengths is its long history of identifying talented coaches, investing in their growth, and creating meaningful opportunities for advancement. Many of FC Copa Academy’s current Directors, Academy Leaders, and senior coaching staff began their coaching careers within the club and advanced into leadership positions through demonstrated excellence, professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to player development.
We believe great organizations develop great people. As a result, FC Copa Academy places significant emphasis on coaching education, mentorship, leadership development, and creating clear pathways for coaches to grow within the organization.
Whether you are an experienced coach seeking a professional environment or an ambitious coach looking to build a long term career in the game, FC Copa Academy provides opportunities to learn from experienced technical leaders, collaborate with accomplished coaching staffs, and advance into larger coaching and leadership roles over time.
Our goal is not simply to hire coaches. Our goal is to develop the next generation of elite coaches while maintaining the standards, culture, and commitment to excellence that have helped make FC Copa Academy one of the most respected soccer organizations in the region.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications, licensing, and assigned responsibilities
- Additional paid opportunities through camps, clinics, private training, tournament coverage, and supplemental programming
- Coaching license advancement support, including reimbursement opportunities for approved licensing courses
- Mentorship and professional development from experienced Directors, Academy Leaders, and senior coaching staff
- Clear pathways for growth into expanded coaching responsibilities, age group leadership, academy leadership, and director level positions
- Full Time and Part Time opportunities available
Why FC Copa Academy
- One of the region’s most respected and established soccer organizations with more than 20 years of player and coach development excellence
- Three National Championships and a proven history of developing collegiate, professional, and national team players
- Join a club that has developed hundreds of collegiate athletes and continues to provide pathways from grassroots soccer through elite youth and pre professional environments
- Work alongside experienced Directors, Academy Leaders, and senior coaching staff
- Access to coaching education, mentorship, and professional development
- Proven track record of promoting coaches into leadership, director, and academy leadership positions
- Coach within USL2, USLW, USL Academy, ECNL Regional League, National League 1, and EDP environments
- Positive, professional, and collaborative club culture
To Apply
Please submit your resume, coaching licenses and certifications, coaching experience, and a brief statement describing your coaching philosophy and what motivates you as a coach.
FC Copa Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Experience:
- Soccer Head Coach: 3 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- USSF | UEFA License (Required)
Work Location: In person
