Senior Director, On-Air Talent Recruitment & Development

This is a Full Time Job

Location: Bristol, Connecticut, United States; Los Angeles, California, United States; New York, New York, United States

Job Summary:

We are seeking a passionate and driven Senior Director, On-Air Talent Recruitment & Development to spearhead our efforts in identifying, recruiting, nurturing, and cultivating the potential of public-facing Talent across various sports disciplines. This Talent Office role will be pivotal in Talent recruitment and designing and implementing comprehensive talent development programs aimed at maximizing 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 can be located in Bristol, CT, New York, NY, or Los Angeles, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Proactively recruit non-ESPN Talent, identify current and future needs, and negotiate and cast for open on-air and public-facing roles and/or potential future opportunities. Implement competitive strategies for recruiting and retention of diverse Talent across all sports platforms.
• Utilize scouting networks, Talent identification skills and experience, and grassroots initiatives to identify promising on-air and public-facing Talent with high potential across different age groups and sports disciplines.
• Forge strategic partnerships with sports organizations, clubs, schools, and community groups to expand the reach and impact of Talent recruitment and development programs.
• Design and develop comprehensive Talent development programs tailored to the specific needs and goals of on-air and public-facing Talent.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to Talent involved in development programs in collaboration with production stakeholders, helping them to enhance their skills.
• Implement systems for monitoring and evaluating Talent performance and growth using data-driven insights.
• Organize camps, training workshops, and showcase events to provide on-air Talent with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and abilities.
• Establish relationship with content leaders to allow you to anticipate public-facing Talent needs, leading to proactive recruitment and pipeline build of key Talent.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information in strict confidence.
• Ensure a Talent experience that is top-notch and commensurate with the experience you would expect from ESPN.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of sports industry experience.
• A minimum of 8 years of on-air and public-facing sports Talent recruitment and development experience.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in a leadership or management role.
• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Communications, Broadcast Journalism, or a related field.
• 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.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Education:

• Master's degree

#ESPNMedia

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles is $172,300 to $199,430 per year and in New York is $180,500 to $209,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.