Consumer | Retail
Sports Executive Search
Identifying exceptional candidates for open roles in the sports industry
Sports Recruiters
Keller is one of the world’s best sports and entertainment executive search firms, delivering results that other firms can’t. We offer hands-on executive search services backed by extensive experience and a global network in partnership with NPAworldwide. This network allows us to secure top executive talent that empowers clients to meet their strategic goals.
Sports are associated with competition. In order to compete—and win—in the business of sports, organizations require teams that can deliver unparalleled customer experiences, foster innovation, and raise brand loyalty. Keller partners with leading companies across the full sports ecosystem, helping to find top talent for leagues, sports teams, agencies, private equity firms, media and entertainment platforms, health and wellness brands, sports technology companies, and more.
Keller offers the attention to detail and personalized approach of a boutique search firm, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the sports and entertainment industry. Our track record demonstrates our ability to pinpoint the right talent for leadership roles and has made us frontrunners in the executive search field.
What We Do
Keller aims to connect sports organizations with highly-qualified candidates who have the right mindset and skills to fuel their companies’ growth. Our approach considers all the nuances of recruiting talent for this industry, ensuring optimal compatibility with our client firms. To achieve this, we follow a rigorous search process comprised of the following elements:
Assessment
At the beginning of every search, we conduct an initial evaluation of our client’s organization to identify gaps in their leadership team. We use these insights to establish a set of hiring criteria to assist us in pinpointing the perfect match for their requirements.
Once we have identified a pool of suitable candidates, we carefully assess each one to determine their compatibility with the hiring criteria. Our assessment looks beyond an individual’s professional credentials, considering factors such as their personality, work ethic, and leadership style to determine whether or not they align with the client’s organizational culture.
Talent Acquisition
Our success as an elite sports executive search firm is largely due to our deep industry expertise and access to an extensive network of contacts and large candidate database. Our connections enable us to tap into a vast pool of sporting talent that spans the entire employment continuum, from Presidents, CEOs and Athletic Directors to Head Coaches and Sport Management positions. We are also capable of reaching talent that is inaccessible through traditional outreach methods, increasing the number of viable candidates for a position beyond what a firm would be able to acquire on its own.
Organization Transformation
Beyond our recruitment expertise, Keller provides HR advisory services. This means we help our clients streamline their organizations’ HR systems and workflows, making operations more efficient and improving their bottom line. We also share insights related to current market conditions and industry benchmarks for compensation, helping our clients develop more attractive offers for retaining new hires.
Our Approach to Sports Executive Search
At Keller, we understand that every business is different. As such, we take the time to get to know our clients’ firms and listen to their needs before beginning any search. This allows us to mindfully tailor our recruitment strategy to their unique culture, ensuring any new hire we place will not only meet the job requirements but also fit in with the exisiting team.
Using the information we glean about our client’s business, we tap into our vast network of connections to find the ideal placement. Our recruiters also leverage other tools and resources like applicant tracking systems (ATS) to speed up the time-to-hire, ensuring our client gets access to the talent they need without delay.
It is our goal to lead the way in diversity by adhering to a bias-free candidate selection process. We acknowledge the cultural and commercial value of inclusion and, therefore, focus on applicants’ professional merits, skills, and enthusiasm for the sports industry rather than their gender, age, race, or personal belief system.
Once we have gathered applications and reached out to candidates to establish their interest in the position, we thoroughly evaluate each one to verify their resumes. We shortlist the professionals who demonstrate the highest degree of compatibility with the role and present them to the client’s hiring manager for final interviews.
Behind Our Recruitment Process
Keller’s executive search strategy has evolved as our knowledge of the field has grown. As several of our staff members may recall, we originally used a standardized approach that did not account for the fact that organizations can have vastly different hiring needs. It also did not lend itself to recruitment for the sports industry, which comes with its own set of challenges and factors to consider for successful placements.
This impacted our candidate success rates, but it was not until a search for a prominent company did not go as planned that we reevaluated our hiring method. We approached the assignment like any other, believing we could identify a good match for the firm. However, we were tripped up by our generic recruitment approach that overlooked the candidate’s cultural alignment with the rest of our client’s team.
This oversight resulted in a subpar placement that clashed with existing team members and, ultimately, the new hire’s untimely resignation from the post. Following this setback, we transformed the way we make placements at Keller. We turned our focus to catering to our customers’ individual business needs, which paved the way for better placements in the future.
Since reaching this turning point, the Keller name has become associated with premier executive search services. We are now widely-recognized the world over for our ability to consistently deliver top senior executives for organizations of all sizes and sectors.
Read our exclusive Insights and Thought Leadership content below for information on how to improve your HR systems and workflows for better employee engagement and retention.
Some Areas We Specialize In
The sports and entertainment industry is vast and multifaceted. Keller is capable of recruiting for roles in diverse fields within this sector, not limited to the ones listed here:
- Adaptive and Para Sports
- Athlete Representation and Agencies
- Athletic Apparel and Footwear
- Athletic Governing Bodies
- Coaching and Training Services
- Collegiate Athletics
- Esports
- Fitness and Wellness
- Outdoor Recreation
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Professional Sports Leagues
- Sports Analytics
- Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports
- Sports Event Management
- Sports Equipment Manufacturing
- Sports Law
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Media and Broadcasting
- Sports Medicine
- Sports Nutrition and Supplements
- Sports Photography and Videography
- Sports Technology
- Sports Tourism
- Stadium and Arena Management
- Youth and Amateur Sports
Positions We Fill
As a top-notch executive search firm, Keller is positioned at the nexus of talent in the sports world. This means we are poised to recruit for all kinds of vacancies at the senior executive and directorial level within this dynamic sector. From CEOs of professional sports franchises and league commissioners to COOs overseeing stadium operations and CMOs heading up global brand campaigns, we have you covered with our precision-driven approach.
In addition to sourcing high-quality leaders for leagues and sports teams, Keller also caters to staffing needs across the broader sports landscape. Our consultants have experience placing executive talent in sports technology firms, performance analytics companies, media and broadcasting networks, and athletic apparel giants.
Furthermore, we understand the growing connections between sponsorship, data, fan experience, and athlete development—and we know where to find leaders who can capitalize on these insights. With a global network and a profound knowledge of the complexities of recruiting for this industry, Keller has established itself as a trusted ally for sports organizations seeking qualified candidates for leadership positions.
Why Choose Keller as your Sports Executive Search Partner?
With a passion rivalled only by that of our partners, Keller is committed to sourcing candidates who can propel their businesses to new heights. We have our partners’ firms best interests at heart and strive to supply them with professionals who are perfectly suited to their needs.
We also empower clients to make better hiring decisions through our hands-on experience and deep understanding of industry dynamics, while our extensive connections provide access to talent they would not have been likely to reach on their own. Furthermore, our personal touch helps us build lasting relationships with our partners based on trust and mutual understanding.
Our Promise – The Right Hire
With Keller as your executive search partner, you can have peace of mind that your company is in the best hands. We guarantee confidentiality and professionalism for the entire duration of your search and beyond, ensuring the privacy and security of your firm and of the candidates we recommend. In addition to adhering to stringent NDAs, we observe the data protection laws and regulations in your locale.
Our success filling open leadership positions at our partners’ sports organizations is rooted in our steadfast pursuit of excellence. We don’t rush to place the first individual we meet, but instead take our time to carefully consider all viable options for a role. However, we acknowledge that even this diligent approach can still sometimes end in failure due to unforeseen circumstances.
As such, we offer a replacement guarantee on all the new hires we recommend for the first 90 days of their tenure. In the event that a client is unsatisfied with a candidate we placed, we will perform a repeat search for a suitable alternative at no extra charge.
Join hands with Keller today and discover how our team of expert sports recruiters can help guide you on your executive search journey.
Client Testimonials
We were impressed by how fast Keller understood our brand and culture. They brought us someone who checked every box and is already making an impact.
- Jake M., Director of Sports Operations
Keller didn’t just send candidates—they listened, asked the right questions, and delivered talent we didn’t even think was on the market. We'll be coming back.
- Stephanie H., HR Manager
We’ve worked with other firms, but Keller brought a level of care and transparency we've never experienced before. We felt supported every step of the way and couldn't be more pleased with our new executive.
- Clarissa P., Head of People
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does a Sports Recruiter Do?
What is the Difference Between Executive Search and Recruitment?
Inquiry Sent
Your Premier HR Partner
Tailored Excellence
Our dedicated senior consultants provide attention to detail at every stage of the search process, ensuring tailored results that exceed expectations
Nationwide / Global Talent Acquisition
Leveraging our extensive network, we identify and attract world-class leadership candidates from diverse backgrounds and locations
HR Advisory Services
We offer expert advice to optimize HR processes, boost efficiency, reduce workload, and increase employee retention and engagement.
Fast Turnaround time
Our consultants expedite searches, cutting time-to-hire while securing the best talent available.
Comprehensive Solutions
Beyond recruitment, we provide value-added services from organizational health to leadership development programs
Our Search Practices
Keller follows the highest industry standards when searching for talent for its clients.
Replacement Program
We contractually commit to replacing any hire that doesn't meet expectations.
Industry-Leading Assessments
We provide thorough evaluations, including personality insights, for shortlisted candidates.
Off-Limits Protection
We protect our clients’ interests by marking their entire company workforce off-limits for our candidate sourcing. We prioritize your business excellence.
Dedicated Points of Contact
Every client has two points of contact with Keller. An account manager and a senior consultant This ensures fast & continued response
Unbiased Third-Party References
We conduct extensive background checks, covering credit, education, criminal, and employment history. We also perform security checks when needed.
