Manager of Programming, Chicago Fire Foundation

About the Club

The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; and the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield.

The Club recently announced plans to build a $750M+ privately financed downtown stadium in Chicago by 2028, anchoring the 78—a 62-acre development and entertainment district along the Chicago River. Additionally, the Club opened the state-of-the-art $100M Endeavor Health Performance Center in March 2025, setting a new standard for North American training facilities.

At Chicago Fire FC, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch. Our values guide everything we do: uncompromising integrity, respect for all, relentless accountability, constant innovation, and never settling for less.

About the Role

The Manager of Programming will oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Club’s proprietary P.L.A.Y.S. Program, driving its growth in the coming years. Reporting to the Director of Development and Foundation Programs, this role is key to expanding the Club’s charitable initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the P.L.A.Y.S. Program in its entirety.
• Develop program schedules, calendars, and implementation plans.
• Collaborate with the research team to evaluate program measurements and data collection.
• Support curriculum implementation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with school administrators, teachers, and community partners.
• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with school staff and stakeholders.
• Coordinate logistics with partner schools, including scheduling, communication, and site support.
• Ensure program compliance with organizational policies and sponsor commitments.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support program coordinators, coaches, and volunteers.
• Manage program budgets and resources, including forecasting and expense tracking.
• Develop communications, tools, and other resources needed for programming.
• Assist the director with preparation of program reports for leadership, funders, and the foundation board.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to achieve strategic club goals and assist with additional Foundation programs and fundraisers.
• Attend all CFFC home games, Chicago Fire Foundation events, and other club events as requested.
• Perform administrative tasks and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Education, Social Work, Non-Profit Management) preferred.
• 3–5+ years of experience managing youth, school, or non-profit programming.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Knowledge of youth soccer development and social-emotional learning practices.
• Highly organized with proven time management skills and ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Spirit of flexibility, positive outlook, and ability to move projects forward with urgency and cooperation.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Chicago market and community.
• Passion for community impact and alignment with the values and mission of Chicago Fire FC.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays for home games and events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish language fluency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, or Non-Profit Management.
• Deep understanding of the Chicago philanthropic and community landscape.
• Experience working in a fast-paced or startup environment.

Pay

This role offers a salary range of $60,000–$70,000. Final salary is determined by the applicant’s background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. The role is bonus-eligible based on club-wide goals and requires attendance at all CFFC home games, foundation events, and other club events, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

Additional benefits and perks are included for this role.