About WTA Ventures

Founded 50 years ago by Billie Jean King, on the principal of equal opportunity, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is the global leader in women’s sport.

The WTA is truly global, with over 50 annual events spanning all corners of the globe, its players represent over 80 different countries and its broadcast attracted an international audience of over 1 billion viewers in 2023.

Over the course of its rich history, the WTA has been home to many of sport’s greatest icons including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams. Its current stars who hold global appeal include Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur.

In March 2023, the WTA created WTA Ventures, in partnership with CVC Capital Partners. Its purpose is to build upon the organistion’s strong legacy and further elevate the profile of women’s tennis, as well as accelerate commercial growth for the benefit of fans, players, tournaments and other stakeholders in the game.

Following this organisational evolution, and in a commitment to enhancing WTA Ventures strategy development, there is now a need to appoint a new Vice President of Strategy & Development.

The Role

Reporting into the CEO, the VP, Strategy & Development is a key role that will help shape the future of Women’s tennis. You will take responsibility for developing and implementing strategic projects across all aspects of the business, including brand, marketing, digital, production/ media rights, and the organisation’s strategic and commercial collaboration with the ATP and other external stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategy & Project Management: Play a leading role in driving and executing strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the business.

• Analysis & Insight: Delivery of strategic market & performance analysis including board level KPI measurement across all strategic initiatives.

• Right-hand to the CEO: Reporting directly to our CEO, Marina, you will serve as her right-hand person, providing critical support in managing the company's strategic direction. Additionally, you will extend this support to the wider senior management team, including the CFO and other members of the senior leadership team.

• Board Engagement: You will actively engage with the board, assisting Marina in preparing board materials and presentations. Your ability to manage and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders will be crucial in this role.

• Collaboration & Negotiation: Working closely with the ATP, you will foster collaboration, negotiate deals, and explore future models and opportunities to enhance cooperation within the sector.

• Prepare thorough investment cases with CFO and senior management team to ensure WTA make strong investment decisions/ recommendations and secure fundings/ approvals from the board as needed.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Minimum 10 years experience.

• Strategy Consulting background with additional experience working within a business going through growth/ change.

• Experience of working within the media and/ or sports sector with exposure to production/ media rights.

• Excellent PowerPoint and Excel modelling skills, need to be a strong communicator and presenter.

• Highly analytical with a proven track record in executing deals and structuring commercial agreements.

• Exceptional communication skills and experience engaging with senior stakeholders, including board members.

• Resourcefulness and adaptability are essential qualities, considering the startup nature of the business and the need to work with limited resources.

• A passion for tennis is advantageous but not essential.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Uphold WTA Core Values: Be Progressive, Collaborative, Passionate, and show Integrity. These core values set the tone in everything we do, help us succeed on and off the court, make a difference in the community and create a premier, compelling global sport entertainment experience. It is important that the person in the position commits themselves to these core values so that we can constantly move forward in the same direction – Together.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional international travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1 Analyst (to be recruited), potentially growing to 2. Cross-functional supervision of/ collaboration with team members with critical input on strategic projects.

Position Type/Work Schedule:

Full Time, 40 hours a week. Typical schedule will be Monday-Friday. Must be available for occasional evenings/weekends.

The WTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.