PWHL
Project:
Executive Search & Advisory
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) set out on a transformative journey to become the best women’s ice hockey league in the world, and a premier entity in women’s sports. Under the guidance of Jayna Hefford, the SVP of the league’s hockey operations, our firm was engaged to support with finding the right talent to set the league up for success. Our primary objective was to lead the hiring of General Managers for each of the six new teams and providing hands-on support to onboard them. Subsequently we were asked to also provide support with the hiring of leaders in league-based executive roles (Chief Medical Officer, VP Brand, VP Business Ops) and the six team-based Business Operations roles.
Engagement
- Executive Search and Advisory: We assisted in the recruitment and hiring process of six General Managers, pivotal for the operational setup and success of the new teams. Later, we were asked to
- Market Research and Benchmarking: We conducted extensive research to gather insights on market talent, compensation standards, and leveraged our expertise in the organizational designs prevalent in women’s professional sports.
- Organizational Structure Design & Budget Planning: A detailed framework was developed, outlining the league office structure with clear reporting lines, including the roles of Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Directors. This structure was instrumental in facilitating effective decision-making processes. We also helped set the hockey operations budget for the leagues and teams.
- Team Structure and Reporting: We established a clear and efficient structure for each team, defining the reporting lines within the teams and their interactions with the league office. This included delegated authorities to streamline operations.
- Role Definition and Responsibilities: Each hockey operations role, both at the league office and within the teams, was clearly defined and codified, ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities.
- Support in Onboarding Process: We provided comprehensive support in the onboarding process of new hires, aligning them with the league’s overall strategy, values, and integrating them into the system with defined Goals/Objectives and Key Results (OKR).
With the calm clarity that reflects years of success in the field, Bloom Sports Partners identified exceptional candidates for our team management and coaching positions while also playing a meaningful role in building staff and shaping culture. We truly appreciate their collaborative spirit; we feel more like family than clients.
Impact
- Sporting & Business Leadership Hires: The hiring of six diverse and competent General Managers marked a pivotal step in establishing strong leadership within the PWHL. This was later supported by the hiring of two Vice Presidents, a Chief Medical Officer, and six Directors of Business Operations to bring this exciting new league to six new markets.
- Cultural Development: The initiation of a culture focused on intentional collaboration and mutual support among the newly appointed General Managers set a strong foundation for team dynamics and league ethos.
- Organizational Efficiency: The well-defined organizational and team structures, along with clear reporting lines and responsibilities, laid the groundwork for efficient and robust decision-making processes across the league.
- Alignment with Strategic Goals: The onboarding process ensured that new hires were not only aligned with the league’s strategic objectives and values but were also integrated into a system that promotes accountability and goal attainment.
- Long-Term Sustainability: The work done in phasing the hockey operations labor budget from 2023 into 2024 and beyond has set a path for sustainable growth and financial stability for the league.