Senior Associate, Excel Search and Advisory

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading sports agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character reputation and our commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace. We focus on team chemistry, collaboration, strong relationships, valuable networks, and ambitious ideas to deliver innovative solutions that keep our clients and agency ahead of the curve.

Excel Sports Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

EXCEL SEARCH & ADVISORY is the world’s largest and leading retained executive search firm wholly dedicated to sports, media, and entertainment. Our Consultants have completed more than 1,500+ Executive Searches over their careers for teams, governing bodies, associations, ownership groups, media and entertainment businesses, and major consumer brands.

Position Summary: Excel Search & Advisory is seeking an accomplished Senior Associate to source candidates on behalf of our clients for highly specialized leadership positions in sports (teams and leagues), sporting goods, college athletics, and the media and entertainment verticals. The successful candidate will be able to attract top-tier talent and ensure lasting and successful placements. They will aim to exceed clients’ expectations and to add value to their business. This position could be located in either the Dallas or New York office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and cultivate a professional reputation as a strategic consultant among the senior executive community through market expertise and professional networking.
• Identify, track, and recruit prospective candidates using a variety of channels, including cold calls, networking, social media, etc.
• Partner with clients to get a clear view on their strategic and financial objectives and hiring needs.
• Devise and carry out a targeted research strategy.
• Map role criteria, define position description, and approve document specifications.
• Prepare for search kick-off meetings, including creating a drafted target list with the research team, researching the industry, and relevant industry needs.
• Set and lead the research strategy by identifying, researching, and keeping the potential candidate pipeline filled throughout the search process through continual outreach.
• Conduct rigorous assessment of candidates to ensure qualification match, cultural fit, and compatibility. Constantly study interviewing and assessment best practices.
• Conduct confidential interviews by phone and/or video-based platforms, checking references, and presenting full candidate background experience to client.
• Present shortlisted candidates and provide detailed profile summaries.
• Offer guidance and facilitate the negotiation process through to its completion.
• Follow up with clients and assist with the candidate’s transition and onboarding process.
• Network and build trusted long-lasting client relationships on an ongoing basis and strengthen company branding.
• Provide a positive candidate experience for all applicants interacting with Excel Sports Management.
• Lead client meetings, including needs assessments and candidate presentations.
• Communicate with Partners and Principals on updates and potential sales pipelines.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Advanced Degree(s) preferred.
• 5+ years’ relevant work experience as a retained-based recruiter or other transferable experience in leadership, HR, or consulting.

Skills and Abilities

• Requirement of having experience in the full cycle of executive recruitment from sourcing to closing.
• Deep understanding of the recruiting process – needs assessment, research, sourcing, candidate development, and negotiations.
• Proficiency in using applicant tracking system (ATS), recruiting software, and candidate databases along with Microsoft Office knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of candidate’s selection methods.
• Excellent knowledge of area of expertise (market status, trends, best practices).
• Client focus along with relationship building skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to respond quickly to client’s needs.
• Hold oneself accountable with integrity and confidentiality.
• Must have strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively and exercise flexibility as needed.
• Must have well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to a wide variety of audiences, demonstrating strong communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Strong business acumen.
• Must be a flexible and reliable team player.
• Must be able to be in office four days a week.

The pay range for this position is: $140,000 - $150,000 per year. This position is also eligible for benefits.

Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Excel Sports Management provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation and training.