VP, Football, AMERICAS, IMG

Who We Are:

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation through entertainment agency WME; sports operations and advisory, event management, media production and distribution, and brand licensing through IMG; live event experiences and hospitality through On Location; full-service marketing through global cultural marketing agency 160over90; and sports data and technology through IMG ARENA and OpenBet. Endeavor is also the majority owner of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising UFC and WWE.

The IMG Football team are recruiting for someone who will grow the Football business in the AMERICAS region, working collaboratively with internal teams and resources.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Development of the America’s strategy with the leadership teams of Football, Commercial and Strategy
• Identify new revenue opportunities through traditional and non-traditional business routes as foundation for growth in the region
• Build on the existing football strategy to grow football related revenues in the region
• Work together with VP, Football MENA, & VP, Football Europe & Africa to manage and build senior relationships within football environment (local leagues, federations, and confederations)
• Manage the retention of partner and revenues
• Commercial leadership & delivery of high value partnerships
• Identify rightsholders that IMG can deliver value to and vice-versa
• Lead in developing and managing short-and long-term strategic objectives that advance IMG Media’s business priorities and opportunities across the regional market and broader Endeavor network
• Lead large projects/initiatives that impact the business on regional and international scale
• Work closely with other members of the global Sports Management team (which oversees IMG client relationships across all sports) to ensure best practice in client servicing in football in the region including internal and external communications, collaboration and cross-sell and upsell of additional services within IMG and the wider Endeavor Group
• Work closely with Production and Digital to identify rightsholders that will benefit from the breadth of IMG Media’s services
• Close coordination with Finance and Legal in all acquisitions – RFP processes and private negotiations
• Be responsible for correct announcement implementation for each new client
• Other duties that are within the scope of the role may be required.

Knowledge and Experience

• Having deep rooted cultural and situational awareness.
• Is recognised as an external thought leader within traditional and digital media with over 15 years’ experience within the industry
• Thorough understanding and ability to advise clients on the strategy, valuation, negotiation and distribution of live sports & entertainment media rights domestically and internationally across all media platforms and new technology including traditional television, digital media, mobile, and OTT
• Leads and structures negotiations and pricing models for clients globally
• Deep knowledge and experience across sport, both traditional and digital media, and a track record of operating and scaling media businesses
• Experience of working in sports marketing ecosystem (media, governing body, rights holder).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is desirable.

Skills and Abilities

• Developed understanding of media practices and client business requirements
• Should be an articulate and compelling communicator, with the ability to draft clear, fluent, grammatically accurate and concise written communications
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with proven experience of building relationships, with the ability to adapt their style to the situation
• Numerate and analytical minded to understand and interpret data
• Excellent time management skills, ability to work calmly under pressure whilst meeting deadlines
• Able to build strong working relationships with key internal contacts, e.g. Lawyers, Accountants and wider Endeavor network
• Committed to customer service excellence and quality of business relationships
• Great influencer and relationship builder, high emotional intelligence
• Excellent relationship and networking skills
• Strong leader and team player
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Working Conditions

• This is a permanent position.
• May be required to attend (and travel to) locations, including other IMG buildings and meetings
• Unsocial hours may be required, as dictated by the demands of the business schedule
• Adapting to use of new systems and technology where appropriate

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. We understand this can only be accomplished when we lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a global company that drives culture, we strive to reflect the world’s diverse voices.  

Endeavor is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.