Vice President, People

Angel City Football Club is seeking a Vice President of People to lead the next chapter of our People function as we continue to grow and evolve. We’re still in an early-to-mid growth stage as a young club, building stronger systems, clearer structures, and more consistent practices across both business and soccer operations.

Our recruiting and HR operations foundations are strong, and this role will build on that momentum, strengthening, optimizing, and helping us scale thoughtfully rather than rebuilding from scratch.

Reporting to the President of Business Operations and working closely with the CEO, this role manages a small but mighty team and sits at the heart of our club's mission to build a championship-winning organization that sets a new standard for equity and excellence in sports. 

What we need is a strategic, high-EQ leader who can bring structure, clarity, and inspiration to every part of the employee experience, in a club that’s growing at a steady pace and shifting from early-stage scrappiness to a more mature, consistent way of operating, building on the strong foundation already in place. From compensation and leveling to onboarding, culture, and leadership development, this leader will help us build the right foundation for where we are now and where we’re headed.

You’ll shape how our people grow, connect, and perform, on and off the field.

• Design and implement scalable HR systems, programs, and processes that align with our strategic goals and values.
• Partner with executives and department heads to plan workforce growth, ensure the right structure, and forecast future talent needs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all people and culture matters.
• Use data and insight to inform decisions, track progress, and tell the story of our people's impact.

• Champion and protect a values-driven culture that reflects ACFC’s mission and the community we represent.
• Lead initiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and connection across both soccer and business teams.
• Curate thoughtful employee experiences from off-sites and game days to volunteer events that unite staff and strengthen our shared purpose.

• Lead, coach, and develop the People & Culture team, setting clear goals and ensuring high performance, accountability, and growth.
• Provide strategic counsel and coaching to leaders to elevate their leadership capabilities and emotional intelligence.
• Partner closely with league representatives and legal counsel to uphold NWSL and club standards around player safety and reporting procedures.
• Serve as the Player Safety Officer, ensuring all policies, practices, and protocols support a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for players.
• Model high-EQ leadership, balancing empathy with candor, and strategy with humanity.

• Build and evolve a transparent compensation and leveling framework that supports equity and career growth.
• Oversee benefits, perks, and compliance in partnership with legal counsel to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace.
• Oversee employee relations, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely handling of concerns, investigations, performance issues, and conflict resolution.

• Lead our performance review and development processes, ensuring they promote growth, accountability, and continuous feedback.
• Design competency frameworks and career paths that give every employee clarity and opportunity.
• Build leadership development programs that prepare our people to grow with the club.
• Create learning opportunities that nurture curiosity, confidence, and collaboration across all levels.

• Oversee the talent acquisition strategy to attract and retain exceptional, values-aligned talent.
• Ensure every candidate and new hire experience reflects our culture from first impression to first day.

• Experience: 10+ years leading People or HR functions, ideally within a fast-growth, purpose-driven organization. Sports, entertainment, or startup experience is a plus.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success managing and developing teams with empathy, clarity, and accountability.
• Strategic & Operational: Proven ability to balance long-term planning with hands-on execution.
• High EQ: Strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence, able to navigate complex dynamics and build trust across all levels.
• Data-Driven: Skilled at using metrics to inform strategy and improve outcomes.
• Culture-Focused: Deep belief in the power of culture as a competitive advantage.

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Hybrid schedule (Tues–Thurs in office) with attendance at home games required.

ACFC Perks & Benefits

• Fully funded comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401K plan
• Flexible PTO policy  
• Paid Parental Leave
• Cell Phone reimbursement
• Snacks and beverages
• Dog-Friendly HQ in Santa Monica
• Complimentary tickets to home games
• Bi-annual performance reviews

Compensation

The expected salary range is $160,000 to $200,000, plus bonus eligibility. Actual compensation will be based on experience and qualifications.