Competitions Services Director

Saudi Pro League (SPL); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in sports management is seeking a dynamic individual to oversee the competitions of a leading professional league. This role is pivotal in ensuring fair play, enforcing regulations, and managing fixture schedules. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in sports governance, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships. You will be instrumental in developing policies that enhance the league's integrity and competitiveness while collaborating with various teams to drive commercial growth and fan engagement. If you are passionate about sports and eager to make a significant impact, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a similar role within a professional sports league.
• Bachelor's degree in sports management or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee league competitions, ensuring fair play and compliance with regulations.
• Develop competition regulations and manage the fixture schedule.

Skills

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Analytical Skills

Decision-Making Abilities

Leadership Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Management

Professional certification in Sports Governance

Tools

Sports Data Management

Digital Platforms

Job description

Overseeing and managing all aspects of the Saudi Professional League's competitions, ensuring fair play, enforcing league regulations, and organizing the league's fixtures and competitions. This role is crucial in developing and implementing competition-related policies, managing the fixture schedule, and ensuring the integrity and compliance of the league's sporting events.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain the league's competition regulations, rules, and policies in alignment with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) guidelines and FIFA regulations.
• Manage SPL's fixture schedule, including the creation of the annual competition calendar, coordination of team fixtures, and rescheduling of matches as required.
• Oversee the implementation of the SPL's competition format, including group stages, knockout rounds, and any other tournament structures.
• Monitor and enforce the application of competition regulations and rules by the participating clubs, players, and match officials.
• Collaborate with the SPL's operations, marketing, and media teams to ensure the seamless integration of competition-related activities.
• Establish and maintain disciplinary procedures for addressing violations of competition regulations, rules, and fair play standards.
• Investigate and adjudicate disciplinary cases, including player/team misconduct, match-fixing allegations, and doping-related incidents.
• Impose appropriate sanctions and penalties on individuals or clubs found in breach of the SPL's regulations, in line with the established disciplinary framework.
• Ensure the SPL's compliance with relevant national and international regulations.
• Provide guidance and support to match officials in the interpretation and application of competition rules and regulations.

Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities:

• Continuously research and analyze global best practices in sports league competition models and formats to identify opportunities for improvement or innovation within the SPL.
• Propose and implement strategic changes to SPL's competition structure, scheduling, and regulations to enhance the overall competitiveness, fairness, and appeal of the SPL.
• Collaborate with the league's leadership team to align the competition strategy with the SPL's broader strategic objectives, such as increasing fan engagement, improving the league's global reputation, and driving commercial growth.
• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive integrity and anti-corruption measures to safeguard the SPL's competitions from match-fixing, doping, and other forms of manipulation.

Performance:

• Timely and accurate publication of the SPL's annual fixture schedule and competition calendar.
• % of matches played as per the scheduled fixtures without disruptions or rescheduling.
• % Adherence to the SPL's competition regulations and rules, with minimal disciplinary incidents or disputes.
• # of disciplinary cases investigated and resolved within the established timeframes.
• Timeliness and accuracy of competition data and statistics published on SPL's digital platforms.
• % Successful resolution of disputes and conflicts between stakeholders, with minimal escalation to legal or disciplinary proceedings.

Internal & External Contacts:

• Competition team
• League Operations functions and teams
• SPL Divisions and functions
• Clubs management and teams
• Officials and concerned competition parties
• Vendors and suppliers
• Sports international and national communities

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in sports management, business administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification in sports governance, competition management, or event operations is preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in a similar role within a professional sports league or governing body.

Other Knowledge & Skills:

• Thorough understanding of football competition regulations, rules, and disciplinary procedures, preferably in the context of the Saudi Arabian or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) football landscape.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to effectively manage stakeholder relationships and resolve disputes.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities to optimize the league's competition-related processes and procedures.
• Familiarity with sports data management, analytics, and digital platforms is an advantage.
• Proficiency in both English and Arabic languages.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate, motivate, and inspire team members.