WGNinHR Consulting Leading VP People Search for LeagueApps

November 6, 2020 – With the coronavirus crisis expected to intensify, human resources executives are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping their organizations navigate what is looking to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Along the way, the importance of people strategy is expanding, and that is keeping executive search consultants who specialize in finding talent across the sector busier than ever.

One search assignment that’s come to light: WGNinHR Consulting has been retained by LeagueApps to find a vice president of people. The incoming leader will play a critical partnership role in the company’s growth stages. “LeagueApps is looking to hire a well-rounded leader, a true cleanup hitter reporting to the CEO,” said Joanne Rencher, founder and principal at WGNinHR. “The vice president of people is part head coach for the people team, part business partner, and part architect of best-in-class people strategies.”

“This successful people pro will step up to bat quickly to link the business strategy to a newly developed people strategy,” Ms. Rencher said. The incoming people leader, she said, “will also be a proven innovator in the areas of talent acquisition and talent management, skillfully navigating through high growth stages.” 

The vice president of people will play a critical partnership role in the company’s growth stages and beyond. The successful candidate will:

• Link the business strategy to a newly developed people strategy and ultimate employee experience.
• Provide hands-on expertise across the full scope of the people function.
• Serve as a business partner to the CEO, president, leadership team and entire staff.
• Leading key initiatives in organizational development, talent acquisition, culture and talent development.
• Skillfully navigate the challenges of growth stage companies.
• Serve as the “head coach” and mentor for a small team, leveraging their expertise.
• Optimize talent across all company teams.

The search firm is seeking candidates with 12 to 15 years’ work experience with hands-on experience in a combination of people functions, most recently as a departmental lead. Candidates should have hands-on experience shaping, managing and evolving a talent acquisition strategy. They should be a thought leader in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition, candidates must bring strong experience in establishing compensation systems and related career paths, ideally for technology/SAAS companies. Proven experience in digital adoption and implementation of a variety of tools to optimize operations and employee engagement is also preferred.

Based in New York City, LeagueApps is the operating system and community for youth and local sports leaders  providing them with the technology and professional network they need to grow, scale and play for the future. The platform powers thousands of clubs, tournaments, leagues, camps and facilities, reaching more than 10 million participants across the country. Key investors include former NBA players David Robinson and Shane Battier, Major League Baseball and other notables across the business world.

Veteran Talent Management Executive

WGNinHR stands for Who’s Got Next in HR? Founded in 2005 and located in New York, the firm’s areas of expertise include: advisor to boards/CEOs, executive coaching, talent acquisition redesigns, executive search, succession planning, change management, compensation programs and outplacement.

With a 25-year career history, Ms. Rencher is a results-driven business and talent executive. She works with clients across all industries to provide HR and general business consultation. Ms. Rencher has worked at the C-level for major conglomerates, iconic global and domestic nonprofits as well as  social entrepreneurs. She has broad and deep expertise across all human resource practice areas. Before launching WGNinHR Consulting, Ms. Rencher was chief people officer of the national office of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media