The Academy Operations Intern will support the daily administrative, logistical, and operational functions at DC United MLSNext Academy. This role provides hands-on experience in elite youth soccer operations, working closely with academy leadership, coaching staff, players, families, and other club personnel to ensure a professional, organized, and development-focused environment.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about soccer, youth development, and sports management. This internship offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in the business and operational side of an elite youth soccer program.
Key Responsibilities
· Assist with the planning and execution of daily academy activities, including training sessions, team meetings, and match-day operations.
· Help coordinate training schedules, field assignments, facility access, and equipment distribution.
· Support the preparation, organization, and maintenance of training equipment, uniforms, and team supplies.
· Assist with the coordination of match-day schedules, transportation, travel itineraries, and tournament logistics.
· Help coordinate home match operations, including field setup, team check-in, equipment preparation, and visiting-team logistics.
· Assist with organizing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and other administrative resources.
· Open to flexible hours to participate in weekend activities when available
Preferred Qualifications:
· Current college student or recent graduate pursuing a degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, Sport Administration, Communications, or a related field preferred.
· Strong interest in soccer, youth sports, and the professional sports industry.
· Excellent organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, or Google Workspace.
· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with coaches, staff, players, and families.
· Motivated to gain experience
Through this internship, the successful candidate will gain experience in:
· Elite youth soccer academy management and administration.
· Team operations, competition logistics, and event coordination.
· Sports communication and stakeholder management.
· League administration and compliance processes.
· Facility and equipment management.
· Project coordination, professional development, and operational planning
This position operates in a fast-paced youth soccer academy environment, with responsibilities across offices, training facilities, and competition settings. The intern must be comfortable balancing administrative tasks, operations, and enjoy learning about sports administration. This position can be partially remote – may talk more about this upon interviewing.