An established professional sports club (Football, Wrestling, Shooting and Taekwondo) based in Baku, Azerbaijan, is in need of a new General Manager to head the enterprise. This role requires knowledge of international Sport management at professional level, ability to manage organisational change, motivate and lead staff.
The Role:
• Merge four existing sport clubs (Football, Wrestling, Shooting and Taekwondo)
• Create common strategy and business plan
• Commercialise and modernise the enterprise according to International standards
• Advertise and promote the club to increase usage, which may include commissioning and considering market research;
• Liaise with sponsors and other partners
• Recruit, train and supervise senior staff
• Prepare and check budgets to encourage the club to generate income;
• Delegating duties to the first team coach and the coaching and medical staff
• Scouting for young but talented players for eventual training in the youth academy or the reserves, and encouraging their development and improvement
• Sourcing sportsmen in the transfer market, including loans
• Facing the media in pre-match and post-match interviews
• Some of the above responsibilities are shared with the director of football or sporting director, and are at times delegated to an assistant manager or club coach
The Candidate:
• Strong track record of successful strategic leadership and working constructively within a diverse organisation whether in sport or business
• Empathy with the mission and values of the Sports Club and the hopes and expectations of our supporters;
• Experienced networker with first class communication, influencing and advocacy skills;
• Ability to bring sound judgement and commercially astute approach to bear on a Sports Club with huge potential;
• Successful track record in business would be welcomed, particularly with regards to increasing commercial revenue and stakeholder engagement;
• Degree in sports or business administration or other related field
