Sameer Haji

20+ years playing competitive and recreational soccer, including men's league competition and tournament play.

Experience coaching youth players (ages 10–12) through structured training sessions, match preparation, and game management. Passionate about creating a positive, inclusive environment that builds confidence, sportsmanship, and a lifelong enjoyment of soccer. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills developed through coaching, refereeing, tournament operations, and team leadership.

Senior IT Recruiter - Randstad - Toronto, ON

(2019-01)

• Trained and mentored junior recruiters, providing coaching and performance feedback to improve team effectiveness.
• Earned President's Club recognition in 2022 for exceeding annual performance targets.
• Managed multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while successfully placing IT professionals with enterprise clients.
• Built strong relationships with clients and candidates through effective communication, active listening, and problem-solving.
• Assessed individuals' strengths, potential, and development needs to make informed placement decisions.

Soccer Coach - Gold Cup Soccer Tournament - Toronto, ON

(2024-07 - 2024-08)

• Coached and mentored a team of 15 boys ages 10–12, fostering skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Planned and led twice-weekly training sessions focused on technical development, tactical awareness, and match preparation.
• Assessed player strengths and areas for improvement to determine optimal positions and support individual development.
• Managed in-game strategy, including substitutions and tactical adjustments throughout tournament play.
• Communicated weekly with 15+ parents by providing regular updates on schedules, player development, and team activities.

Team Captain - Gold Cup Soccer Tournament - Toronto, ON

(2026-02 - 2026-05)

• Fostered a positive team culture through communication, accountability, and teamwork among players on a newly formed squad.
• Organized player positions and tactical responsibilities based on individual strengths to maximize team performance.
• Motivated teammates during training sessions and matches while leading by example through effort, sportsmanship, and professionalism.
• Represented the team by communicating with coaches, referees, and tournament officials before and during matches.

Referee - Gold Cup Soccer Tournament - Toronto, ON

(2025-08 - 2025-08)

• Officiated women's 18+ tournament matches, ensuring fair play and consistent application of the Laws of the Game.
• Managed player interactions and resolved conflicts while maintaining control of the match.
• Exercised sound judgment in making timely decisions on fouls, misconduct, and game flow.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the Laws of the Game while maintaining impartiality and professionalism.

Tournaments Lead - Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board - Toronto, ON

(2020-01 - 2022-07)

• Planned and executed tournaments across multiple formats.
• Developed tournament structures, rules, and competition schedules.
• Coordinated registration, seeding, scoring, and match progression.
• Managed communications with participants, officials, and volunteers.
• Recruited and supervised tournament staff and referees.

Tournament Operations Lead - Global Encounters - Dubai, UAE

(2025-04 - 2025-07)

• Owned end-to-end tournament operations for a multi-day eFootball event, including rules enforcement, scheduling, standings calculation, and playoff bracket design.
• Built and managed the full competition schedule; communicated match times, updates, and changes to players to ensure on-time execution with minimal disruptions.
• Led, trained, and coordinated a team of moderators to resolve technical issues, adjudicate rule violations, and accurately track match results in real time.
• Ensured tournament operations ran efficiently by proactively resolving logistical and technical issues with minimal disruption to competition.

People Program Specialist - The Printing House - Toronto, ON

(2017-11 - 2018-12)

• Supported full-cycle recruitment and onboarding for internal positions.
• Improved hiring processes by implementing video interviews and online assessments.
• Partnered with hiring managers to coordinate recruitment activities and improve candidate experience.

Senior Recruiter (Contract) - TD Bank - Toronto, ON

(2016-09 - 2017-06)

• Managed full-cycle recruitment for corporate positions in a high-volume environment.
• Built relationships with hiring managers to understand staffing needs and provide recruitment guidance.
• Developed partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions to attract talent.

Honours of Business Administration - Richard Ivey School of Business (2008-09 - 2012-04)

Human Resources Post-Graduate Certificate - Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology (2013-09 - 2014-04)