Director, Turf & Grounds

NJ/NY Gotham FC (“Gotham FC” or “the Club”) is a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team representing New Jersey and New York. The team plays at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. At Gotham FC, we don’t just play soccer; we set trends, challenge the status quo, and lead with bold creativity. While our roots are grounded in the tradition of the beautiful game, everything else about us is fiercely original. We’re here to redefine expectations, break boundaries, and build something that hasn’t been done before. If you’re ready to push the limits and make an impact, you belong at Gotham FC. The Role Gotham FC is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Director, Turf & Grounds to lead all aspects of turfgrass management and field operations at the Gotham FC Training Facility. This role is responsible for maintaining world‑class natural grass and synthetic playing surfaces for the club’s training environment, as well as overseeing shared‑use fields on site. The ideal candidate combines advanced turfgrass expertise with strong leadership, operational planning, and collaboration skills. This is a hands‑on management position that requires a detail‑oriented, safety‑focused professional who is committed to delivering exceptional playing conditions that support athlete performance and field safety. Key Responsibilities Field Maintenance & Preparation Direct and perform daily maintenance of natural grass and synthetic turf fields, including mowing, fertilization, irrigation, aeration, topdressing, sod repair, and snow removal. Conduct routine field inspections, safety testing, and performance assessments to ensure optimal playing conditions. Collect and analyze field data to support maintenance decisions and long‑term turf health. Execute precise field painting, lining, and layout preparations for training sessions and special events in accordance with NWSL, FIFA, and other professional standards. Ensure fields remain safe, playable, and accessible during inclement weather, including snow and ice events. Agronomic Planning & Turf Health Responsible for the development and execution of annual and long‑range agronomic programs. Monitor turfgrass, soil, and environmental conditions through testing and analysis. Implement strategies that enhance turf durability, wear tolerance, disease prevention, and pest management. Stay current on industry trends, technologies, and best practices to continuously improve field quality and sustainability. Leadership & Staff Development Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and mentor full‑time, part‑time, and seasonal grounds staff. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and professional development. Establish and maintain safety protocols and ensure compliance with all applicable workplace standards. Equipment & Facility Operations Oversee the operation, maintenance, storage, and repair of all groundskeeping equipment and tools. Ensure staff receive proper equipment training and follow safe operating procedures. Maintain irrigation systems and support field infrastructure, including drainage systems, root zones, and heating systems. Collaboration & Event Support Partner closely with coaching, performance, and club leadership teams to align field conditions with training and operational needs. Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and facility users regarding field requirements, setup, and breakdown activities. Provide exceptional service while maintaining a customer‑first approach to all facility stakeholders. Inventory & Budget Administration Track and manage inventories of equipment, materials, and supplies. Lead budget planning and monitor expenditures to ensure efficient use of resources. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the year. Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather events as needed. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, stoop, and sit for extended periods. Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in a fast‑paced environment. Required Qualification Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Management, Horticulture, Agronomy, or a related field; or equivalent Turfgrass Management certification. Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing high‑use sports turf, including experience in professional sports environments. Working knowledge of field construction and maintenance, including: Irrigation systems Drainage systems Rootzone management Synthetic turf systems Field heating systems Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain and maintain one) and ability to meet company driving requirements. New Jersey Pesticide licenses Preferred Qualification Experience managing third‑party contractors and vendors. Experience in professional soccer, including NWSL, MLS, national teams, or other first‑division environments. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Advanced knowledge of turfgrass management principles and practices. Strong mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting skills. Commitment to ongoing professional development and industry best practices. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and budget management. Strong organizational and project management skills. Ability to plan and execute safe, efficient, and budget‑conscious operations and events. Proven problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities in dynamic environments. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and adapt to changing priorities. Ability to work independently and collaboratively while exercising sound judgment. Able and willing to work non‑traditional hours, including evenings and weekends as needed. Legally authorized to work in the United States. Location This position is fully in‑person, based at Gotham FC’s soccer operations office and practice facility, currently located in Whippany, New Jersey. Gotham FC requires its employees to live in its market, that is, within reasonable commuting distance of Gotham FC’s office, practice facility, and Sports Illustrated Arena. Job type Full‑time Salary range $125,000 - $145,000 annual Benefits Medical, Dental & Vision benefit plans available for Employee and Family, Employee‑funded 401(k) option. Gotham FC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We are committed to broadening the pool of qualified talent for consideration, including those who have been historically underrepresented. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non‑binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. This job description is a broad summary of the essential job functions and general duties for this position, the additional job duties that may be required from time to time, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. The person in this role may be required to and must be willing to perform other duties as assigned, to meet organizational needs. This job description may be modified from time to time, at the sole discretion of Gotham FC. This employee must follow and enforce all policies and procedures formulated by Gotham FC and be a role model for the organization. The existence of this job description does not modify the employee’s “at‑will” status. That is, unless a signed employment contract specifying a term of employment exists between Gotham FC and the employee or his/her/their representative, both Gotham FC and the employee will have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without reason or notice, unless otherwise prohibited by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Gotham FC