Challenge Family is currently advertising for two new positions. The international multisport event organiser is seeking a Managing Director to support company CEO Zibi Szlufcik and oversee operations. In addition, Challenge Family is on the look-out for an experienced Marketing and Communications Manager to oversee its marketing and communications business unit.
Managing Director
Challenge Family is looking for an experienced Managing Director to support the CEO and oversee the operations of Challenge Family. The position has P&L responsibility, in line with the strategy and business plan set forth and agreed with the CEO. The Managing Director will be responsible for ensuring the financial viability of all operations as well as effective management of human resources.
The Managing Director should be:
- A leader, able to inspire and get the best out of all Challenge Family stakeholders including licensees, staff, contractors and partners
- Decisive & able to act independently
- Detail oriented
- Able to create a cohesive organization, driving strategy and implementing the most effective business practices to grow and optimise the business
- 100% committed to ensuring that Challenge Family events are produced with a profitable and financially stable business model, and that events are implemented in accordance with the Challenge Family race manual and meet all quality expectations of athletes
- Able to build strong relationships with the Challenge Family team, race directors and partners
- Able to work with people of many cultures and demonstrate common sense
Key responsibilities including but not limited to:
- Objectives, KPIs
- Creation of additional profit centres
- Payments management
- Licensee’s relationship
Operations
- Production and implementation of annual operations plan (OP) to be developed in Q3 of each year
- Shared responsibility for successful delivery of the business plan
- Management of human resources including strong and empowering leadership to ensure maximum return on investment
- Allocation of HR roles and positions to ensure most effective use of resources with appropriate corresponding workloads
Financial
- Managing the operating budget of Challenge Family in line with the approved operations plan
- Producing a quarterly detailed financial report
- Regular (bi-weekly) reports to the CEO and Board of Directors
- Producing an annual financial audit at the end of each fiscal year in connection with an external auditor
- Maintenance of strong supplier relationships through prompt payment of invoices
- Helping to manage the company’s financial relations with key stakeholders
Other
- Development of other revenue streams outside the core of existing business
- Any other related task or project handed over by CEO and Board of Directors
- Development of systems, structures and processes for ongoing improvement of business operations
Key attributes
- Creative problem solving ability
- Strong leadership qualities
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Budget management skills
- Team player
- Lateral thinking
- Ability to handle stress
- Personable
- Hard working
- Attention to detail
- Empathy
- Non-smoking active/understanding world of triathlon
Key performance indicators
- Development of strong core team of human resources according to the business plan to deliver world class output
- Delivery of annual results according to the budget
- Contractual approval and procurement of relationships from contractual perspective
- Management of the business cash flow as per budget to optimise the business operations
- Ensuring profitable returns on investment
Specific responsibilities include:
- Help develop, implement and execute regional and global business plans and budgets as well as performance standards for Challenge Family
- Monitor performance in relation to marketing investments
- Support race directors, help developing and implementing business plans and business reviews as well as maintain on going RD relationship
- Organize and maintain records, files, and company documentation
- Regular reporting to CEO
Professional requirements
The candidate should have an understanding of general management. Excellent English skills are a must, additional languages a plus. Good communication and organizational skills, the ability to work independently and strong initiative will contribute to success in this position. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working via e-mail or by telephone and is able to juggle multiple tasks.
Additional information
This position requires regular travel. Some weekend work is part of this position. Flexible hours can be arranged to accommodate scheduling requirements. The position is based in Amberg, Germany.
Salary
Competitive and dependent on experience.
To apply
Applications close on 13 January 2017 and should include a cover letter and a CV of no more than four pages – emailed to Nina Wink at Challenge Family via nina[at]challenge-family.com. Due to the expected number of applications only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Challenge Family Marketing & Communications Manager
Challenge Family is looking for an experienced Marketing and Communications Manager to oversee the marketing and communications business unit of Challenge Family. The position oversees worldwide marketing and communication activation in line with the strategy and business plan set forth and agreed with the CEO. Key to the role is ensuring the financial viability and return on investment of all marketing activity.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the marketing and communications of Challenge Family at a corporate and brand level as well as providing marketing and communications support to licensees.
Social media
- Strategic planning and implementation of editorial and advertising campaigns across industry media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
- Monitoring and reporting on social media activity
- Adoption of latest technologies and industry trends for the benefit of Challenge Family
Advertising
- Development and implementation of online and print brand-building, and event registration focused advertising campaigns in each of Challenge Family’s core markets
Systems
- Development and management of database and CRM systems
Marketing
- Management of all print and electronic marketing collateral production including advertising, e-magazine, imagery, music, use of CI
- Management and continued development of Challenge Family web site
- Development and management of the Challenge Family loyalty programme
- Management of race pricing strategy
- Management of Challenge Family presence at consumer expos
Stakeholder liaison and support
- Provide marketing support and advice for all licensees
- Develop best practice documentation and white papers for distribution to the Challenge Family stakeholder group
- Pre and post-event press release preparation and distribution
- Management of new race launches including development of CI, media liaison, corresponding marketing campaigns and licensee liaison
- Development of collateral for and attendance of regional and global Challenge Family meetings
Brand management
- Monitoring use of CI to ensure global consistency among media and licensees
- Monitoring and management of live race coverage ensuring global standards are maintained
Global partners
- Working with global partners to leverage their involvement – registration, photography, timing, merchandise
Internal & external PR
- Distribution of press releases on behalf of Challenge Family and licensees
- Management of database communications including the Challenge Family eNewsletter
- Management and optimisation of Challenge Family databases
- Management of all internal communication
Team
- Working with and management of pro athlete liaison, TV production, and brand ambassadors
- Working with Commercial Director to service global sponsorships
Key skills required
- Relevant degree or equivalent in marketing and/or public relations
- At least three year’s experience at a senior level in a similar position with proven results
- Extensive knowledge of social media best practices
- Excellent writing skills
- Ability to build and maintain relationships easily
- Ability to communicate well irrespective of language and cultural differences
- Empathy and ability to listen
- Excellent time management and initiative
- Good contacts within triathlon industry preferred
- Flexibility in working hours due to working across a number of time zones
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, design software (Photoshop, InDesign etc), WordPress CMS and Salesforce
- Fluent German and English, written and spoken
Location
The position is based in Amberg, Germany. This position requires regular travel. Some weekend work is part of this position. Flexible hours can be arranged to accommodate scheduling requirements.
Salary
Competitive and dependent on experience.
To apply:
Applications close on 13 January 2017 and should include a cover letter and a CV of no more than four pages and be emailed Nina Wink at Challenge Family, nina[at]challenge-family.com. Due to the expected number of applications only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
