GENERAL MANAGER & VP FOOTBALL OPERATIONS – EDMONTON ESKIMOS – FILLED!

THE ORGANIZATION

The Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, considered one of the most successful franchises of the Canadian Football League (CFL), is a community owned professional football team.  Founded in 1949, the team known for their Green and Gold colors, adopted from the University of Alberta, are 14-time Grey Cup Champions having won three in a row in the 50’s and five in a row in the 70’s and 80’s.

The Eskimos deliver a sports and entertainment experience worthy of champions with their unwavering commitment to integrity, accessibility, and passion.   As a community-owned team, the Eskimo Football Club plays a very active role in the Edmonton and Northern Alberta communities determined to make a positive and meaningful impact.    The Eskimo Football Club participates in many events through their “Telus Champions in the Community” brand and they are dedicated to developing and supporting amateur football within Northern Alberta.

The Edmonton Eskimo Football Club operates with the vision, mission, and values of:

For further information on the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, please visit their website at www.esks.com.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The General Manager (GM) will report to the President & CEO and be a member of the Executive Management Leadership Team.  The General Manager is responsible for input and alignment into the overall vision and strategy of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club.  In addition, this individual will lead the football operations strategy for the short and long term benefit of the Club including the coaching, player personnel, scouting, athletic therapists, medical specialists, medical equipment, video, and football administration activities.  The General Manager will manage and execute on the vision through their team of operational staff, coaches and players.

The General Manager is responsible for football operations in its entirety and will have full accountability for the operational strategy, leadership of the team, financial budgeting and fiscal management, media relations and community engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Vision and Strategy

• Responsible to participate in the development of the longer term organizational vision and strategic plan for the success and sustainability of the Club.
• Develop, align, and execute on the Football Operations strategy in accordance with the overall Club vision.
• Achieve organizational objectives and key performance targets as laid out in the long-range annual business and strategic plans.
• Identify innovations and improvements within football operations that will provide organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and leading edge opportunity.
• Work with the Executive Management Leadership Team in succession planning creating a proactive and sustainable Club that continues to be one of the most successful franchises within the CFL.

Leadership

• Develop a strong insight into the Edmonton Eskimos’ mandate, challenges, and opportunities.
• Provide the leadership and operational management required for a shared and effective corporate vision and goals.
• Lead by example, fostering an organizational culture that promotes ethical practices, encourages individual integrity, and fulfills social responsibility.
• Build, motivate and lead a team of managers and staff that are committed to the business objectives.
• Ongoing review of the organizational structure to create additional efficiencies in operations.
• Be committed to employee morale and maintaining a culture that supports the organization’s strategic objectives.

Football Operations

• Responsible for the overall direction, culture, control, and evaluation of all Football Operations activities.

• Be familiar with overall corporate policies. Evaluate current systems and practices for effectiveness and efficiency making appropriate recommendations on operational changes for continued improvement to the President & CEO.

• Apply a systematic and disciplined approach to improvement in all areas of the Edmonton Eskimos operations.

• Ensure the day-to-day business affairs and football operations of the Edmonton Eskimos are appropriately managed.

• Ensure there is an effective Football Operations team in place with an active plan for its development and succession.

• Responsible to assemble, lead, mentor and evaluate a team of Football Operations staff including coaching, scouting, medical, equipment and administrative personnel.

• Oversee the recruitment and evaluation of the Clubs roster including the training camp roster, active roster, practice roster and negotiation list.

• Be in full alignment and transparency with the President & CEO.
• Perform other duties as delegated or assigned by the President & CEO.

Canadian Football League (CFL)

• Responsible to ensure that the Club meets all obligations within the CFL Bylaws, Rules & Regulations, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the CFLPA.
• Ensure that the Club complies with all expectations of the CFL Salary Management System with transparency and full disclosure.
• Represents the Club, where required, on all committees and at meetings with the CFL pertaining to football operations.
• Adhere to all CFL policies.
• Will participate in CFL and Club Committees as requested by the President & CEO.

Media and Stakeholder Relations

• As a spokesperson for the organization, the GM is required to develop and establish proactive positive interaction with the media to enhance and promote the Edmonton Eskimos and its services locally, nationally, and internationally, with all stakeholders, employees, industry organizations, media, and governments.
• Works cooperatively and productively with key stakeholders and industry partners in promoting the objectives of the Edmonton Eskimos while being visible as a leader and contributor to the betterment of our communities and region.
• Ensures that the Club develops and maintains a network of relationships with General Managers, Coaches, Player Personnel, and Scouts across North America representing all professional, college, CIS, and Junior football clubs.

Fiscal Accountability

• Responsible to produce high quality results with limited resources and to ensure the long term financial health and accountability of the corporation, taking responsibility for maintaining fiscal sustainability.
• Accountable for the overall financial plan including operational budgeting, monitoring, analysis, and forecasts of the Football Operations department.
• Prepare and present the annual operating and capital budgets of the Football Operations Department with the President & CEO and/or the Vice President, Finance for review and agreement by the Executive Management Leadership Team before being presented to the Board of Directors for approval.  Close collaboration and on-going transparency with the Vice President, Finance with budget forecast reviews, updates and identifying corrective actions, if required.
• Review areas of challenge in the business where opportunity for improvement exists and where financial risk could be mitigated allowing for greater efficiencies in the business;

Community

• Be involved at key Club events, community relations activities and public speaking engagements; and with activities relating to the Eskimo and CFL Alumni and the development of amateur football in Central and Northern Alberta.

FIRST YEAR – MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Build a strong player roster.
• Manage the player salary cap budget effectively.
• Identify a steady stream of prospects through scouting.
• Contribute to the Community and Club access with key stakeholders (fans, media, rights holders)
• Support Club and League policies as a progressive contributor to the health of our sport.
• Build a strong and cohesive football operations department.
• Positive experience and exposure with media and stakeholder relations.

SUCCESS DEFINED

To field a football team which consistently competes for the Grey Cup every season, while developing and executing a business model that ensures long term sustainability and preserves the values and traditions of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club.

THE INDIVIDUAL

Given the pivotal role this individual will be expected to play in achieving the strategic objectives of the Edmonton Eskimos and in supporting the success of the organization, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

Education

• Post secondary education is not mandatory and would be considered an asset with the ideal candidate having a diploma or degree in business and/or sports management.

Experience

• A proactive, senior executive with an outstanding record of achievement within the football industry; specifically, with senior level leadership experience in Football Operations.
• A broad-based business acumen with strong CFL orientation and/or involvement and well developed skills in sports management.
• A solid operations background with experience recruiting, mentoring, monitoring, and evaluating personnel and talent.
• A vast network of contacts including player agents.
• A proven record of accomplishment in player contract negotiations.
• A keen eye and competency in identifying high potential football talent.
• Positive experience and exposure with media and government relations.
• Experience working with CFL import ratios.
• Experience reviewing and monitoring financial reports pertaining to Football Operations.
• A strong orientation and knowledge of computers, technology, and information systems as it relates to the success of Football Operations.  Experience using Cyber Sport software.

Personal Profile

• Confident, self sufficient with unquestioned personal and professional integrity with a reputation for ethical leadership.

• A leader capable of dealing with the “big picture” while at the same time being able to “roll up their sleeves” and work directly with the Football Operations team to accomplish the organizational goals.

• Communicates effectively with stakeholders (community, government, employees, customers) on goals, plans and issues and seeks feedback and advice before acting.

• A proven track-record in building positive team based relationships and creating effective partnerships with colleagues, clients, sponsors, and stakeholders.

• Understands organizational structure, teamwork, and action plans to direct the organization to fulfill on its mandate.

• Ready to commit to the Edmonton community (permanent residence and active involvement) and embraces the Club value of accessibility.

• Possesses the mental and physical stamina and strong work ethic to meet tight deadlines, work under pressure and balance a slate of concurrent projects and business functions.

• Superior interpersonal skills. An individual who listens well and respects diversity of opinions; and employs an open, clear, and succinct communication style.

• An innovative and creative thinker, who sees opportunity in change.

• A visionary, practical achiever who leads by example and mobilizes others.

• An individual focused on building, achieving and maintaining a successful organization.

• A diplomatic, collaborative negotiator.

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to respond to complex issues with a high degree of sensitivity where various interests need to be balanced for success.

• Demonstrated network of contacts in the football fraternity across North America.

• Insightful and straightforward while remaining objective in business dealings.

Compensation

An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate.

Location

Edmonton, Alberta

Application Questions

Should you have an inquiry regarding this position, please contact Terri Davis at 1-877-217-5551 ext. 101 or at tdavis@profoundtalent.com.  For further information on ProFound Talent Inc. please visit our website at www.profoundtalent.com.