TurnkeyZRG Seeks Chief Marketing & Growth Officer for USA Triathlon
February 14, 2023 – Given the search industry’s knack for finding a need and filling it, it was only natural that recruitment firms would soon step to the fore in the sports sector, which has become a growth area for executive search businesses. Many C-suite focused recruiting firms are now active in the sector and some specialize only in the sports field itself. USA Triathlon (USAT), the national governing body for the sport of triathlon, recently selected TurnkeyZRG to lead in its search for a chief marketing and growth officer.
Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive team, the chief marketing and growth officer will lead key revenue, growth, and value driven strategies across the organization and the sport. USA Triathlon’s vision is to grow, inspire, and support the multisport community. TurnkeyZRG notes that this executive will be at the forefront of elevating the brand, serving the organization’s constituents, and most importantly, growing the sport for the benefit of all constituents aligned with the USA Triathlon strategic plan.
Overseeing and directing marketing and communications, constituent service and engagement, business development and growth, and events, this executive role will be responsible for driving nearly all areas of growth, enhancing value to USA Triathlon’s constituents and members, and continuing to build the organization’s brand and the sport of triathlon, the search firm said. “This individual will be a proven leader and accomplished marketing executive experienced in developing successful multi-platform marketing strategies and campaigns across sports, entertainment brands, or other relevant membership-driven organizations.”
TurnkeyZRG notes that experience developing and managing data led marketing growth strategies will be particularly helpful, as will experience working with the latest digital and data technologies, CRMs, data management platforms, advertising tech, content delivery and management services, and social media. The chief marketing and growth officer will be expected to be a culture driver who can lead and inspire a team and drive value and collaboration across the organization.
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Candidates should have 10-plus years of leadership-level marketing experience focused on driving growth, revenue, and value as well as a proven track record of implementing innovative marketing, advertising, and promotional data-driven strategies. They must have experience negotiating sponsorship and marketing related deals. In addition, candidates should have a demonstrated experience managing teams and developing talent, and is a collaborative, culture-enhancing leader that works well with peers and makes the organization a fun place to work.
TurnkeyZRG Places Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker as Next Head of NCAA
TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker as the next president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the major governing body for intercollegiate athletics, effective in March of next year. He succeeds Mark Emmert, who will continue to serve the NCAA as a consultant through June.
“College sports is undergoing significant transformation,” said Len Perna, chairman and CEO of the search firm. “The legal and policy environments are shifting continually, threatening the NCAA’s ability to maintain a consistent experience and a level playing field for student-athletes across the country. The best way to continue to support student-athletes is for the NCAA’s next leader to bring a new set of skills that meet the challenges of the moment. Gov. Baker’s record of bipartisan leadership in both the public and private sectors will be invaluable in the hard but critical work of bringing Democrats and Republicans in Congress together to secure a stable, sustainable future for college athletics.”
Based in Colorado Springs, CO, USAT is also the national governing body for duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, and paratriathlon in the U.S. Founded in 1982, it sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world.
Serving Sports, Media and Entertainment Organizations
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media, and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
Len Perna, chairman and CEO of TurnkeyZRG, has 30-plus years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches, according to the firm. In 2021, the firm was acquired by ZRG Partners.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media