VP Talent Relations & Development

We are seeking a VP, Talent Relations & Development to lead our efforts in identifying, recruiting,  and cultivating the potential of public-facing Talent across various sports categories. This Talent Office role will be pivotal in Talent recruitment and will partner closely with Content leaders to set the strategy for development programs with the goal of optimizing the performance and potential of our public-facing Talent. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of sports development principles, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record of success in identification and recruitment of Talent for television, radio, digital print, reporting and social video opportunities. This position will be located in Bristol, CT.

Responsibilities:

• Proactively recruit non-ESPN Talent
• Establish strong relationships with Content leaders to enable anticipation of future Talent needs; create a pipeline of key future ESPN Talent
• In partnership with Content leaders, create competitive strategies for recruiting and retention of diverse Talent across all sports platforms.
• Be a trusted advisor to Content leaders and an extension of their leadership team. Anticipate trends and make pro-active recommendations for Talent workforce planning.
• Partner with VP, Talent Negotiations to share relevant insights to optimize negotiation / contracting process.
• Collaborate closely with HR Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams, leveraging available resources to create best-in-class experience for Talent.
• Provide value added Talent Relations business delivery; with both high touch, client-focused internal consulting, strong metric driven service and transaction components.
• Lead a team that is embedded in the Content groups they support and in touch with their business needs as it relates to Talent.
• Leverage scouting networks and Talent identification experience to identify promising on-air and public-facing Talent with high potential.
• Build strategic partnerships with sports organizations, clubs, schools, and community groups to expand the reach and impact of Talent recruitment and development programs.
• Leveraging knowledge of the business and input from Content leaders, design and develop comprehensive Talent development programs tailored to the specific needs and goals of on-air and public-facing Talent.
• Provide guidance and support to Talent involved in close partnership with production stakeholders. Identify skill gaps and recommend development opportunities.
• Design and oversee systems for monitoring and evaluating Talent performance and growth using data-driven insights.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible roles including direct involvement with senior business executives in high growth, entrepreneurial business environments, preferably with consumer oriented / media companies.
• A minimum of 8 years of on-air and public-facing sports Talent recruitment and development experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in on-air and public-facing sports Talent identification and development, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of on-air Talent development principles and Talent performance optimization strategies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate Talent and stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret data, performance metrics, and qualitative feedback to drive decision-making and performance improvements. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management, budgeting, and resources allocation. 
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate training sessions, events, and competitions. 
• Passion for sports and a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive sporting culture. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of sports industry experience.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Broadcast Journalism, or a related field.

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