BACKGROUND

Hearts has a proud history dating back to 1911, and a strong reputation within the African football community. The club is one of 16 teams participating in the Ghana Premier League.

To continue its great tradition Hearts is seeking a passionate business leader, with a strong marketing and business development orientation, who can manage the organization through the next phase of its growth.

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead Ghana’s oldest football club as it embarks on this new chapter to achieve higher levels of success commercially, financially and on the field.

The position of Managing Director is very much a “lead from the front” role, requiring a person who can manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to achieve the business vision, while adding vibrancy and fresh ideas to our approach off the field and waking up sleeping fans with a lot of different initiatives.

To be considered for this high profile role, you must have significant and successful commercial experience managing a business as Managing Director or major divisional executive level with outstanding strategic management, public relations, communication, business planning and human resource management skills. Your ability to manage various projects with responsibility for financial analysis and budget control is essential. Previous experience managing a high profile or sporting organization will be highly regarded.

The Managing Director, working closely with and under the supervision of the Executive Chairman, will be responsible for the management and operations of Hearts. Critical to this will be the financial viability of Hearts whilst working within strict governance structures.

JOB OVERVIEW

• Building and maintaining an effective business model
• Establishing and maintaining an effective strategic plan
• Financial management of Hearts
• Development of non-football related revenue streams
• Preparation of three-year rolling plan and annual budgets
• Professional management of facilities and assets
• Ensuring sound corporate management
• Board reporting and preparation of the annual reports
• Establishing and maintaining corporate / government relationships
• Maintaining sound relationships and/or representations at the GFA, PLB and GALCA
• Establishing and maintaining sound relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Overseeingthe operations of Hearts News Ltd
• Overseeingthe operations of Hearts Merchandising Ltd
• Overseeing marketing and public relations (including media liaisons and sponsorships)
• Maintaining effective HR policies and procedures

REPORTING LINES

The Managing Director will report directly to the Board of Hearts, but will work closely with and under the supervision of the Executive Chairman)

Those reporting directly to the Managing Directorwill be:

• Accounts Manager
• Administration and Commercial Affairs
• Head Coach / Team Manager
• Public Relations Officer
• Manager, Hearts News Ltd
• Manager, HeartsMerchandising Ltd

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Managing Director’s main responsibilities include:

Overseeing all of Hearts’ Operations

Whilst he will be supported by various managers, the Managing Director will assume overall responsibility for:

• Establishment of sound and effective working relationships with the Head Coach
• Overall performance of all footballing and other activities
• Performance management of the youth development programme
• Effective recruitment and retention of players
• Effective contract negotiations for players and coaching staff (within established budgets)
• Management of player discipline (includingenforcement of a code of conduct)
• Provision of tools and equipment in line with authority limits and budgetary constraints
• Ensuring compliance withrelevant laws and regulations
• Maintenance of effective security arrangements for staff and players at matches
• Development of multiple related revenue streams to ensure financial viability.

Representation at GFA, PLB, GALCA, etc.

Protecting Hearst interests, in a professional manner through:

• Maintenance of sound working relationships with GFA, PLB and GALCA
• Maintenance of sound working relationships with all other clubs
• Fulfilling all statutory requirements of and obligations to the these bodies

Establishment and maintenance of good corporate and government relationships

• Sound and effective relationships with local authorities and the government
• Sound and effective relationships with corporate sponsors
• Sound and effective working relationships with external suppliers

Establishment and maintenance of sound internal working relationships

• Board members
• Coaching staff
• Players
• Administration staff
• Shareholders
• Fans
• Volunteers

Ensuring sound corporate management

• Maintaining strong general management, marketing and business development focus
• Development strategic and business plans and budgets
• Management of corporate governance issues
• Ensure effective reporting to Board
• Ensure transparency with members and sponsors
• Adhering to Hearts Code of Ethics

Maintenance of effective HR policies and procedures

• Ensuring HR policies and procedures are documented and communicated
• Implementation of staff recruitment, training and retention strategies
• Ensuring clear definition and communication staff responsibilities
• Development of a culture of continuous improvement
• Annual review of individual performance of staff through a structured performance review
• Development and maintenance of a healthy and safe work environment

Financial and asset management

In conjunction with the Accounts Manager:

• Managing Hearts’ facilities and assets
• Ensuring proper record-keeping and accounting atHearts and its subsidiaries
• Preparation of business plan and annual budgets

Overseeing marketing and public relations (including media liaison)

In conjunction with the Administrative and Commercial Manager and the PRO:

• Ensuring the effective branding of Hearts
• Setting targets and increasing sponsorship values
• Ensuring the development and implementation of innovative marketing campaigns
• Implementation of an effective sponsor consultation plan
• Supporting the NCC with innovative strategies to increase fan base
• Creatingexciting programmes to enhance match day experience
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with all forms of media
• Ensuring that publications are produced professionally and timely
• Ensuring effective merchandising – product development and sales

Board reporting and preparation of the Annual Reports

• Arranging monthly board meetings
• Reporting to the board in a timely and effective manner
• Ensuring that minutes are distributed within agreed timeframes
• Preparing and distributing annual reports within agreed timeframes
• Preparing for AGM and ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations

PROFILE, CORE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• A strong interest in football and an awareness of the issues affecting football
• Good leadership, planning, organising and time management skills
• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships
• Outstanding negotiation and written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work well in a team, in a dynamic and stakeholder-focused environment
• The ability to project a positive image of sport to people at all levels
• Good it and administrative skills and a high level of attention to detail
• Commercial awareness and a professional approach
• A high degree of self-motivation and a drive for change and improvement
• Critical and strategic thinkingability.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Business or Sports Management related tertiary qualifications (essential)

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated corporate management experience – proven track record (essential)
• Proven leadership capabilities (essential)
• Strong understanding of football and the Ghanaian football environment (essential)
• Understanding of corporate financials (essential)
• Understanding of relevant laws and regulations(essential)
• Prior experience working within a sporting environment (preferred)
• Prior experience insponsorship negotiation and fund raising activities (preferred)

Location: Accra

How to Apply For the Job

Candidates should submit applications to:

togbe@sasghana.com

Applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Closing Date: 31 September, 2017