Rickerby said the changes were brought about by a review of the federation and were designed to help address the "challenges and opportunities" posed by the growing popularity of the sport.
Director of Football Johan Koutstaal will change positions, taking on a recently established New Zealand Football role of regional coach development co-ordinator based in Dunedin.
The position, which provides more hands-on coaching for coaches, will report directly to New Zealand Football manager of coach education John Herdman and service the Otago, Southland and South Canterbury region.
Rickerby said the vacant director of football role was likely to be restructured and could be filled by several part-time people with specialised skills and experience.
"Taking the opportunity to use someone with Johan's experience to focus on coaching coaches is an extremely positive step for the football community," Rickerby said.
"The standard of football will only improve as quality coaching methods are implemented from the junior grades upwards."
Wilson James has also resigned as Soccersouth's general manager but will stay on in a part time role as financial manager.
Soccersouth would advertise for a new general manager, with James continuing in the role until an appointment is made.
Rickerby said Wilson, who had been general manager for seven years, had done a great job in difficult circumstances in keeping Soccersouth financially viable.
"Wilson has come to us and said `I need to concentrate on doing those financial things, rather than being a jack of all trades'.
We also need someone who can look at the marketing, sponsorship and business development side of things."
Rickerby said the federation review was sought because the existing structure had gone unchanged for seven years.
The main area of concern identified by the review was player development, with the responsibility invariably falling back on the standard of coaching across all grades.
"It's always an issue in this part of the world, to get good quality coaches.
Unless we can develop them, then we're not going to develop our kids down here and finish up with players able to play in New Zealand teams and maybe overseas.
"Football's developing hugely in terms of numbers. One of the focuses we need is to coach the coaches".
Parents are putting their hand up and saying 'I want more information on how I can coach the kids better'.
"Without good coaches, the game isn't going to go forward and New Zealand Football has identified that."
Rickerby said the one-sided nature of some of this year's Soccersouth premier league matches had also been of concern and the federation was looking at ways to address those problems.
Soccersouth had challenges with its large geographic size, stretching from Invercargill to South Canterbury.
"It causes us some issues. It's more about being able to develop football and administration at the same standard right across the federation," Rickerby said.
The federation now runs an administration centre in South Canterbury, a part time development officer in Central Otago, and former All White Ken Cresswell looks after Invercargill area.
