About
Norwich City Football Club embarked on a strategic mission to identify a dynamic and skilled Head of Operations and Projects.
Challenge
The role would be pivotal in overseeing and elevating all facets of the club’s operations, encompassing the prestigious Carrow Road Stadium, the cutting-edge Lotus Training Centre, and The Hub. The foremost challenge that Norwich City Football Club faced was the selection of a candidate who not only possessed a robust background in venue management but also boasted a comprehensive grasp of health and safety protocols, maintenance best practices, construction standards, and the broader spectrum of facility operations. Furthermore, the club aimed to find an individual with sharp business acumen, capable of envisioning innovative avenues to maximise revenue streams and augment the overall financial performance of the organisation.
Solution
Addressing this challenge head-on, Tom Beswick, EISGs Operations specialist emerged as the driving force behind the project. Collaborating seamlessly with the NCFC team, Tom conducted a meticulous analysis to define the ideal candidate profile. This encompassed a holistic evaluation of qualifications, skill sets, practical experience, and geographical preferences. Subsequently, a comprehensive search strategy was crafted, meticulously combining headhunting within the realm of sports and identifying operational experts equipped with transferable skill sets cultivated in analogous environments. Tom’s strategic approach was shared with the NCFC leadership before being translated into action.
Result
The culmination of these efforts bore fruit with the successful appointment of a distinguished professional from the football industry. This candidate seamlessly embodied the desired qualifications and criteria, bringing to the table a wealth of experience in managing comparably sized stadiums, orchestrating high-profile music concerts, and steering ambitious development projects. The transition into the new role was executed with remarkable fluency. In a landmark achievement, 2022 saw the official inauguration of the training ground, marked by the unveiling of a state-of-the-art academy building, a cutting-edge gymnasium, and a groundbreaking introduction of the pioneering SoccerBot 360 system in the UK. This milestone not only underscored the visionary leadership of the appointed candidate but also represented the forward-looking ethos of Norwich City Football Club.
