Coordinating Director (match Coverage), Saudi Pro League

Who We Are:

At IMG, our Studios business use content and technology to power the world's passion for sport, working with global clients including The Premier League, The R&A, DP World Tour, Euroleague Basketball and Major League Soccer. We've built Europe's best-connected broadcast centre at Stockley Park, London, distributing 35,000 hours of content globally and creating some of the world's best sporting coverage. Our facilities include four broadcast studios, fifty edit suites and a multitude of radio, podcast, dubbing and VFX facilities, with specialisms in remote production and carbon reduction thanks to our Green to Screen initiative. Whether it's live coverage, archive, highlights, social media, branded content or feature films, we give the audience a front row seat to the best sport in the world.

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world's most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation through entertainment agency WME; sports operations and advisory, event management, media production and distribution, and brand licensing through IMG; live event experiences and hospitality through On Location; full-service marketing through global cultural marketing agency 160over90; and sports data and technology through IMG ARENA and OpenBet. Endeavor is also the majority owner of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising UFC and WWE.

The Partnership between SPL, SAFF, and IMG:

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) have announced a new five-year production partnership with IMG, a global sports, events, and representation company, for the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), King's Cup, and Saudi Super Cup, starting from the 2024-25 season.

The 2024-25 season broadcast of the RSL, King's Cup, and Saudi Super Cup will feature more dynamic storytelling and captivating content that highlights the excitement of the matches and celebrates the rich culture and passion that drive the sport.

IMG will also help SPL and SAFF to implement advanced remote production technologies, allowing leading producers to oversee matches across multiple cities on the same day, ensuring that the highest production standards are maintained regardless of location.

What You'll Do:

Are you ready to take football match coverage to the next level?

Are you able to lead with creativity and innovation working on a brand new, exciting partnership in global football?

If yes, then join us in shaping the future of football coverage in Saudi Arabia and across the world.

IMG are seeking an outstanding Co-ordinating (Match) Director to join our Studios business and be part of the senior team delivering the recently announced partnership between IMG and the Saudi Pro League based in Riyadh.

This is a senior role delivering, managing, and developing IMG's live match coverage and outside broadcasts in conjunction with the Executive Producer.

The role requires experience as a football match director, outstanding creativity, ability to innovate and brilliant industry knowledge.

As a global leader in sports, events, media, and fashion, IMG operates in over 30 countries, and this role is pivotal in leading the transformation of our creative output.

Applications will close on Sunday 29th September at 11.59pm BST.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a long-term fixed-term contract role dependent on local employment regulations, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabi. You will be required to work weekends and unsocial hours when needed and will be required to travel within KSA, across the various match locations/stadiums

This position will include a relocation package.

Key Responsibilities Include But Not Limited To:

• To lead the day to day running of the project working to the VP Head of Multi-Sport and Head of Production.
• To be the client facing role for IMG day to day in KSA (Riyadh).
• To lead relationships with the OB provider working alongside an IMG appointed Technical Lead and Production Executive.
• To deliver and ensure live on-site OB programmes are on-time and on budget.
• To co-ordinate OB (host broadcast coverage) and content planning with the Production Executive (KSA), Senior Producer (KSA), Senior Producer (UK) and SPL working to SPL Content and Marketing strategy.
• To assist in the development of the editorial content and direction of the live and highlights programmes.
• To ensure world feed programmes and highlights programmes are delivered on-time and on budget.
• Managing teams based both in Saudi Arabia and the UK.
• Forward planning, ideas generation and the ability to think creatively and inspire and coach teams to do the same.
• To help identify and develop new talent both on and off screen, ensuring regular feedback and development – with a key remit to develop the next generation of KSA Production and Broadcast Talent.
• Promoting a progressive and positive culture within our teams, supporting the values of IMG Media. Collaboration, Excellence, Inclusion, Entrepreneurialism and Persistence.
• Supporting the Sustainability and D&I initiatives across the department.
• Manage and empower supporting team of Senior Producers, Producers and Assistant Producers.
• Build an environment that drives performance and accountability.
• Proven history of managing team performance, with the ability to offer training solutions.
• Work closely with Production Management on the commercial, corporate and client deliverables.

You Will Have The Following Strengths:

• Previous experience as a Senior Match Director working principally in football, but other sports would be advantageous.
• Previous experience of dealing with and managing high profile clients/talent, third parties, key stakeholders and leading broadcasters
• Strong and extensive knowledge of football globally.
• Proven experience of communicating with large production teams of various levels
• Previous experience of leading and motivating production teams to achieve departmental, business and creative objectives.
• Proven history of performance/appraisal management with the ability to offer training solutions
• Relevant and up-to-date production technical (including digital production) workflow analysis
• Understanding of employment law, contract and copyright, conditions of service, equal opportunities, corporate social responsibility, ethical position on doing business and health and safety at work.

We'd Love If You Also Have These:

• Previous experience in working in the Middle East Region.
• Previous experience setting up and working on international television events
• Extensive Outside Broadcast knowledge
• Arabic speaking would be valued.

Our Work Ethic:

IMG is at the center of sports, media, entertainment, and fashion and is a largely relationship-based business. We expect staff to work from the office as required by the business needs and in line with the local cultural and client expectations.

Benefits:

• Relocation package
• Annual holiday
• Life insurance
• Income protection
• Private medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• EAP (Employee Assistant Programme) - range of practical and emotional support

services

The Process:

We appreciate the time take to apply for the role and your recent interest in IMG. We will review all applications and will be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually so if you have not heard back from us unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion and wish you all the best in your search.

• Tele/Virtual Interview – up to 30 mins with member of talent acquisition team
• 1st stage interview - Virtual/in person – VP, Head of Multi-Sport Content + TBC
• 2nd stage interview – if required

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. We understand this can only be accomplished when we lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a global company that drives culture, we strive to reflect the world's diverse voices.  

Endeavor is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.