About
Executives In Sport Group were approached by Premier League Football Club Southampton, to assist them in finding a Director of Brand Experience and Communication.
Challange
The challenge was to identify a candidate who could lead the club’s brand strategy, enhance fan engagement, and oversee communication efforts across various channels, including digital media, marketing, and public relations. The club sought a diverse shortlist of high-calibre individuals with a proven track record in sports marketing and communication, as well as experience in leading brand initiatives in a high-profile brand or sports organization.
Solution
Leveraging our vast network and industry expertise we conducted a targeted headhunting search, with a primary focus on sports teams and top-tier brands who have significant presence in major sport from a sponsorship and partnering perspective.
Our team identified potential candidates who possessed the right skills, experience, and culture ‘add’ for Southampton’s environment and culture. We engaged in discreet and confidential discussions to assess their qualifications, career achievements, and alignment with the club’s brand vision.
Throughout the search process, we maintained close communication with the club, providing weekly updates on our progress and presenting a shortlist of qualified candidates for their review. We facilitated interviews and behavioral assessments to evaluate the candidates’ fit and ‘add’ with the club’s requirements and organizational culture. We also provided guidance and support in negotiating the final offer and securing the successful candidate.
Result
Southampton interviewed a range of high-calibre individuals from sports teams, agencies and big brands. They had a difficult decision to make between an individual at a rival Premier League football club, bringing relevant experience from day one and decreased time to ‘impact’ in post, and the individual ultimately hired who was VP of Digital & Creative Expression for one of the world’s leading banks. She had overseen global brand experience for the bank across all their major sport and entertainment sponsorships and brought creative thinking and new perspectives.
This case study illustrates the value of partnering with a specialist sports recruitment agency in headhunting top talent for sports organizations. Our ability to conduct a targeted search, assess qualifications, and evaluate cultural fit has resulted in the successful placement of a Director of Brand Experience and Communication for Southampton Football Club. Our expertise in the sports industry and our ability to understand the unique requirements of sports organizations have proven invaluable in identifying a candidate who has made significant contributions to the club’s brand strategy and communication efforts.