Livingston James Leads CEO Search for Scottish Football Association
March 8, 2018 – The sports and entertainment field is one of the most active and fast-growing sectors for executive search businesses, with many C-suite-focused recruiting firms having been drawn to it. Recently, the Scottish Football Association retained the services of Livingston James to lead its search for a new CEO. Douglas Adam, director in the firm’s public sector and non-profit recruiting practice, is heading the assignment.
The association’s new leader will be charged with planning, directing, controlling and delivering the operations within a strategy and a budget set by the board, said the search firm. The individual must also have the ability to work with member clubs, affiliated national associations and wider stakeholders. The role involves leading a complex organization with democratic structures while at the same time managing a commercial business to generate income for its members.
The Opportunity
Football is Scotland’s national game and candidates will find an opportunity to make an immediate mark, said Livingston James. The new UEFA Nations League begins in September, which will afford the Scotland national team an additional route to qualify for UEFA EURO 2020. Some matches in the final tournament will be played at Hampden Park, the national stadium.
The CEO of the Scottish FA will be expected to contribute not just with the association’s member clubs, affiliated national associations and wider stakeholders such as sportscotland and the Scottish government, but also internationally through participation with UEFA and with FIFA, the world’s governing body.
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The CEO will spend a significant amount of time in the spotlight dealing with a number of complex and related issues, said Livingston James. In addition to protecting the interests of member clubs and affiliated national associations, the CEO must also help manage key relationships with government, international governing bodies, key sponsors, supporters and the wider football community. The new leader must also be media savvy.
Key Attributes
The Scottish Football Association wants a dynamic leader with a proven track record of strategic leadership at an executive level, said the search firm. Prospects must have well-developed people management skills. Also required is a history of creating a culture of strong internal effectiveness and developing senior management teams to meet strategic aims and objectives. The ideal candidate will have strong record of managing resources and budgets coupled with experience in delivering long-term financial sustainability and value.
SRi Tapped to Find New Leader for Sydney FC
The Sydney Football Club retained search firm SRi to lead the hunt for its next CEO. Managing partner Jonathan Harris is spearheading the assignment. With CEO Tony Pignata leaving at the end of the season, the Sydney FC board is looking for a leader to help the organization move forward.
The association is looking for an individual with previous involvement in designing, leading and implementing organizational and cultural change in a manner that inspires, motivates and engages all employees, said Livingtson James. A proven track record in successfully brokering collaborative working relationships with a range of stakeholders, ideally across an industry sector, is also required.
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The Scottish FA is the governing body of football in Scotland. Its focus is to promote, foster and develop the game at all levels and abilities throughout Scotland in an open and inclusive manner. Founded in 1873 the Scottish FA is the second oldest national football association in the world.
The Recruiters
Livingston James, part of the Livingston James Group, is a search and selection practice based in Edinburgh. The firm, which was founded by Jamie Livingston, works across a range of sectors, specialties and geographies. Mr. Livingston brings deep expertise and experience in the attraction and selection of board and head-of -function-level talent in professional services, private equity and CFO services.
With over 18 years recruitment experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors, Mr. Adam has an extensive network and deep understanding of talent attraction and acquisition at the senior leadership level. He joined Livingston James in 2014 to establish and lead the firm’s public and not-for-profit sector practice. He specializes in senior management, head of function, board and non-executive appointments.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
