Executive Recruiter - Talent Strategist

Fanatics Collectibles; New York (NY); On-site; USD 189,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics Collectibles, based in New York City, is seeking a senior leader to own executive recruitment for VP+ roles, building a world-class talent bench and delivering full-cycle searches across non-tech functions. You will cultivate an elite network, work with the C-suite to define success profiles, and lead firm partnerships to accelerate hiring.

You will map markets, demonstrate strong executive presence, and drive offers and onboarding with People Operations, leveraging AI tools to sharpen

Qualifications

• 10+ years of talent acquisition experience with a majority focused on executive and VP+ recruiting.
• Track record of managing executive search firm relationships — retained/search partnerships.
• Deep LinkedIn Recruiter and LinkedIn Talent Insights expertise — map executive talent markets.
• Strong executive presence and communication — comfortable with C-suite stakeholders.
• Established executive network across NYC’s sports, media, consumer, or technology ecosystem.
• Experience with AI recruiting tools and using them to accelerate executive search.
• High EQ and discretion with adaptable, flexible working style.
• Based in New York City with deep market fluency and existing network.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end executive recruitment for VP+ and leadership roles across non-tech functions.
• Partner with C-suite to define role requirements, success profiles, and culture fit.
• Manage executive search firm partnerships and scope engagements with clear expectations.
• Map executive talent markets and build targeted slates using market insights.
• Lead candidate screening, presentations, and onboarding in partnership with People Ops.

Skills

Executive recruiting

Relationship management

LinkedIn Recruiter

Talent networks

Executive presence

Market mapping

AI recruiting tools

Discretion & EQ

Tools

Greenhouse

LinkedIn Talent Insights

AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Glean)

Job description

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Company

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

Fanatics Collectibles is building the future of sports collecting — and the leaders we hire will define what that looks like. Based in New York City, this is a relationship management role where you will own and grow our strategic talent network referral program, build and steward a world-class talent bench, and drive full-cycle recruitment for selected VP+ leadership roles. Success in this role will be driven by the quality of the relationships and talent networks you cultivate.

You are a strategic relationship builder and trusted advisor who takes a consultative approach to identifying the right talent for Fanatics Collectibles. You’ll manage executive referrals, keep an engaged bench of candidates mapped across every key function, and work with stakeholders who will expect you to learn our business and have a point of view on the talent we bring into the organization.

What You’ll Own

Referral Management

• Own, evolve, and grow the top-performer referral program — a key driver of our hiring network strategy. This is not a passive intake process: you actively cultivate referral sources, network them through Collectibles, and hold the program to a high standard.
• Manage every executive referral from first touch through disposition — ensure every referral is appropriately tracked and remains engaged throughout the process.
• Build and maintain an active bench — a curated roster of warmed, relationship-managed leaders across every key function. Continuously expand and strengthen the executive talent bench through ongoing relationship development and market mapping.
• Own the health and hygiene of executive referral data in Greenhouse CRM — profiles tagged, stages current, outreach logged.
• Deliver weekly reporting to TA and business leadership on talent coming in from our strategic talent network: screens completed, HM conversations, offers extended, and full pipeline disposition.

VP+ Full-Cycle Recruiting

• Own end-to-end recruitment for some executive roles across all non-tech functions at Fanatics Collectibles — from kick-off through close. Leverage established talent pipelines and relationships to accelerate executive search efforts.
• Partner directly with C-suite and senior leadership to understand role requirements, success profiles, and the cultural bar for leadership hires.
• Maintain a deep, living bench of executive talent by function. Relationships are built and sustained through regular touchpoints.
• Lead and manage executive search firm partnerships — in partnership with finance, - scope engagement terms, set clear expectations, manage deliverables, and hold firms accountable to our hiring bar and timeline. Know when to run a search yourself through your own network and when to bring in a retained partner.
• Leverage LinkedIn Recruiter and LinkedIn Talent Insights to map executive talent markets, identify movement signals, and build targeted slates with conviction.
• Conduct executive-level screens and assessments; deliver polished, well-briefed candidate presentations to senior stakeholders.
• Lead complex offer negotiations and manage executive onboarding transitions in partnership with People Operations.

Executive Bench & Network Management

• Manage the executive talent bench as a strategic organizational asset. Maintain active relationships with senior leaders across key functions, tracking movement, motivation, and availability. When a VP+ req opens, you will have candidates in queue ready to be considered.
• Activate and expand your network deliberately — referral sources, former colleagues, search firm contacts, industry events, and NYC’s sports and media community. Use LinkedIn Talent Insights and AI tools to generate market maps and competitive intelligence that sharpen search strategy and surface names your network hasn’t surfaced yet.
• Share executive talent signals and bench updates with TA and business leadership on a regular cadence — proactively, rather than only when a position becomes available. Surface names worth knowing, flag who’s on the move, and make the bench visible so leadership can engage it.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of talent acquisition experience with a majority focused on executive and VP+ recruiting — and a track record that shows relationship management and opportunistically identifying talent.
• Track record of managing executive search firm relationships — you know how to get the most out of a retained search partner and how to make the relationship a successful partnership for all.
• Deep LinkedIn Recruiter and LinkedIn Talent Insights expertise — you can run an executive talent market map from scratch and build a slate with conviction.
• Strong executive presence and communication — you’re comfortable in the room with C-suite stakeholders and can represent the TA function credibly at the highest levels.
• An established executive network built on credibility, trust, and long‑term professional relationships. You develop executive relationships over time and leverage those connections to support future hiring needs.
• Experience with AI recruiting tools and genuine curiosity about how to deploy them in executive search.
• Must have high EQ and discretion and have a genuine track record of adaptability and flexibility.
• Based in New York City with deep market fluency and an existing network across NYC’s sports, media, consumer, or technology ecosystem.

Tools & Tech

LinkedIn Recruiter · LinkedIn Talent Insights · Greenhouse · AI Tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Glean or equivalent) · Executive Search Firm Management · Slack · Airtable · Charthop

Why Fanatics Collectibles

Fanatics Collectibles sits at the intersection of culture, technology, and fandom — and the leaders we bring in from your network will define the next chapter. This role is based in New York City, where the talent market is dense, the relationships run deep, and the opportunity for meaningful executive engagement is significant. You’ll operate with the trust and visibility of a true senior partner: direct access to the C-suite, ownership of the executive bench, and a mandate to build something that outlasts any single search. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future leadership of the organization.

NYC Salary Range

$188,750—$220,000 USD

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