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  • Survey Shows Demand for Specialists Driving Sports Sector Salaries
Press Releases

Survey Shows Demand for Specialists Driving Sports Sector Salaries

03 Oct 2008
   
Demand for specialist technical and commercial skills and international expertise is driving salaries up for key roles throughout the sports sector across the UK and Europe, with London 2012 having a dynamic impact on UK sports bodies, according to analysis of a comprehensive salary survey conducted by Sports Recruitment International, the leading specialist search and recruitment consultancy.

The survey examined salaries for a broad range of roles from Chief Executive to entry-level across different sectors of the sports business, highlighting trends and issues in an increasingly sophisticated and global business.

Amy Johnson, Commercial Director of Sports Recruitment International said: “Even in these uncertain economic times we are seeing salaries rising in key areas because of the demand for candidates whose skill sets meet the needs of the 21st century sports business. These include the ability to operate commercially and creatively in digital media, language skills and the commercial dexterity to work in developing international markets.”

A key trend among the survey’s findings is the galvanising impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games on the UK sector where salaries for experienced commercial and performance staff have reached new levels.

Senior Consultant Leigh Hine, who heads the Public Sports team at Sports Recruitment International, says, “London’s success in winning the right to host the Games has had an impact which no government or sports federation initiative could have hoped to achieve.”

“As sports bodies refocus strategies to meet their performance and participation targets there is significant competition for quality professionals with specific experience in roles such as Chief Executives, Regional Directors and Performance Directors. In the past where sports business professionals from other sectors may have had to take pay cuts to combine their passion for sport with their work, now they are spoilt for choice for competitively paid jobs,” he said.

The survey shows salaries for Chief Executives of UK sports associations ranging between £50K and £100K, while Performance Directors might expect to earn between £40K and £200K, depending on the size and resources of the organisation.

Elsewhere the survey underscores a number of other key trends:

GOVERNING BODIES

Growing recognition of sport’s power and influence as a $multi-billion global business is reflected in salaries offered to key employees by the leading governing bodies which own the broadcast and commercial rights to top sports events.

The market is candidate-driven with the more established and progressive governing bodies willing to pay top salaries to access the technical skills required to strengthen their brands and grow their audience.


AGENCIES AND SPONSORS

Salaries are increasing in the UK and across Europe as agencies and corporate sponsors compete for the talent required to realise opportunities in an increasingly global market. Integration remains a key trend as major groups absorb smaller agencies as they move to build international networks to respond to significant investment in sports in the Middle East and parts of Asia. The premium paid for international experience, culture and language is significant and candidates with such expertise are in high demand.


BROADCAST AND MEDIA

The digital revolution in sports media has put a premium on the 21st century skill sets required to deliver the multi-platform promises of media companies profitably.

Broadcast and Media companies are focusing on enhancing their in-house digital delivery, sales and marketing capabilities with average salaries of up to £100K for Heads of On-line and up to £60K for Online Marketing Managers.

Entry-level roles remain relatively poorly remunerated because of the continuing competitive market place but candidates with the benefit of two years’ experience and in-house training can command significantly more attractive salaries.

SPORTING GOODS

Companies operating in the expanding sporting goods market are increasingly offering highly competitive and flexible salary and benefits packages to attract the talent required to develop business in emerging markets and to keep their product lines ahead of the competition.

The data underscores two key trends. Firstly, the continuing fusion between fashion and sportswear means that sportswear brands have to innovate continuously to develop new products, which enable them to remain competitive against new brands moving into the sector. Secondly, the fast growing economies of Eastern Europe and Asia offer rich potential to develop market share for those brands led by executives who combine industry skills with the language and cultural dexterity to operate effectively in these new markets.

OFF-LINE BETTING & GAMING

Fierce competition for diminishing spending power has placed a premium on salaries for marketing professionals in the casino sector. The market has been hit by the economic downturn, while smoking bans have affected some territories, but the UK has been particularly impacted by increased taxation and licensing restrictions.

As a result, casino operators are more and more looking to sales and marketing professionals from outside the industry to inject the technical expertise, enthusiasm and fresh thinking required to reenergise the sector and drive attendance and spend.

ON-LINE BETTING & GAMING

Betting and Gaming sector salaries are levelling out across Europe as dynamic economic growth in key eastern European countries creates new opportunities for candidates with the appropriate combination of flair, industry knowledge and experience, language skills and cultural compatibility. Salaries for most roles remain higher in the UK than else where in Europe.

There is growing opportunity in Eastern Europe and a move towards increasingly innovative, performance-related remuneration across mature markets.


AVERAGE SALARIES FOR KEY SPORTS SECTOR ROLES

Agencies

Chief Executive £120K
Business Development Director £ 62K

Corporate Sponsors

Marketing Director £121K
Sponsorship Director £ 82K

Events / Corporate Hospitality

Sales Director £63K

Broadcast

Chief Executive £136K
Head of Online £ 65K

Public Sports

Performance Director £110K
Chief Executive £ 84K

Off-line Betting & Gaming

Chief Executive £198K
Marketing Director £ 84K

Online Betting and Gaming

Chief Executive £190K
Marketing Director £ 94K

Rights Holders (Governing Bodies)

Secretary General £110K
Commercial Director £126K

Sporting Goods

Chief Executive £219K
Brand Marketing Director £105K


Source: Sports Recruitment International Salary Survey 2008.


For more information please contact Kevin Roberts on +44 (0) 7710 192 960.


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