VP, IT WME Business Partner

Job Description

Who We Are:

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to the world's most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events and experiences. The company is comprised of industry leaders including entertainment agency WME; sports, fashion, events and media company IMG; and premier mixed martial arts organization UFC. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation, sports operations & advisory, event & experiences management, media production & distribution, experiential marketing and brand licensing.

Position Title

VP, WME IT Business Partner

William Morris Endeavor Business Unit

Location

LA

Reports To

CIO

Department / Division

Endeavor Technology

I. About Endeavor:

Endeavor is a global media and entertainment company with world-class brands and capabilities across talent representation, sports, fashion, event management, and brand marketing. Comprised of industry leaders, including entertainment agency WME; sports, fashion, events, and media company IMG; and premier mixed martial arts organization UFC, Endeavor likely plays a significant role in the content you love and the experiences and events you never forget. Our companies and represented talent and brand clients collectively reach billions of passionate fans directly every single day.
Our technology organization is transforming how we work at Endeavor. We align with our business units to deliver shared services and innovative solutions that:
• Address specific business challenges, integrate processes and systems, and create incredible experiences.
• Connect our work to shared goals that propel Endeavor forward in the Digital Age.
• Advance the way we work by leveraging disruptive technologies.

We are seeking a forward-thinking technology leader who can drive our focus areas, such as building more robust foundational technology capabilities, standardizing processes & systems, and digital acceleration.

II. Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer and the WME executive leadership team, the VP of WME IT plays a crucial and prominent role within our organization's IT leadership team. This highly visible position will spearhead strategy development, road mapping, and digital transformation initiatives for the WME business and the broader representation segment.

The WME Business Partner (BP) position demands a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to manage the relationship between our business units and IT effectively. Collaborating closely with business stakeholders and users, the BP anticipates evolving business needs and ensures a strong alignment between IT and business objectives. Working alongside the CIO and the IT leadership team, the BP skillfully translates business needs into tangible technology demands and may oversee project management activities. A comprehensive understanding of core business processes and systems, including client profiles, bookings, etc., is essential for this role. Additionally, the BP must stay abreast of technological advancements and advocate for effective end-user change management.
Our ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional leadership, transformation, and technical skills, enabling them to successfully navigate a fast-paced and complex organization. Moreover, they must possess a proven track record of streamlining disparate IT systems to achieve impactful and tangible results.

III. Essential Functions:

Key Responsibilities:
• Foster robust relationships with key stakeholders, serving as the primary IT executive liaison bridging IT and the WME business unit, while emphasizing alignment throughout the Representation segment and Endeavor as a whole.
• Lead and Program Manage a large digital transformation initiative alongside the CIO and WME executive team that not only provides robust agent tools but modernizes the overall tech stack.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify and understand their technology requirements, challenges, and opportunities.
• Compile and prioritize IT demand and deliver technology solutions supporting daily operations, long-term business strategy, and digital transformation.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of business processes and workflows to determine areas for improvement and optimization through technology (including the use of intelligent automation and AI/ML).
• Propose innovative technology solutions that align with business objectives, amplify operational efficiency, and enhance the company's competitive edge.
• Partner with the business to develop feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, and ROI evaluations for proposed IT programs and projects.
• Formulate and execute a vision and strategy for the WME system landscape and assess synergies across the overall segment and Endeavor portfolio.
• Present quarterly executive portfolio/roadmap reviews to the WME and IT leadership teams, covering the overall health of the IT landscape, portfolio assessment (current and planned projects/initiatives), total cost of ownership, budget and timelines.
• Supervise successful execution of IT projects, ensuring punctual delivery, budget adherence, and adherence to quality standards.
• Monitor project progress, track milestones, and provide regular updates to pertinent stakeholders.
• Harness the enterprise IT organization, infrastructure, and technology capabilities to achieve business outcomes
• Manage a team of project managers and business analysts
• Cultivate technology talent bench for future succession opportunities. Provide guidance and mentorship to IT staff.
• Uphold appropriate compliance, security, and controls, aligning with company policy and governance.
• Collaborate with third-party vendors to source, negotiate, and manage IT services and solutions contracts.
• Regularly assess vendor performance and ensure adherence to established service level agreements (SLAs).

VI. Qualifications:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, information technology, or related field.
• 10+ years' experience in IT leadership roles, focusing on application development and maintenance.
• 5+ years of experience at a top-tier consulting, private equity, or venture capital firm developing and implementing IT strategies and roadmaps a plus, but not required.
• Proven ability to craft business transformation programs with strong IT enablement.
• Experience in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures is a plus.

V. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Solid understanding of IT systems (Custom and packaged applications), infrastructure, and software development processes.
• Ability to think strategically and to drive change within the organization.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong project management skills, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of IT industry best practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
• Ability to think strategically and align IT solutions with overall business objectives.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and a customer-centric approach.
• Familiarity with IT risk management and compliance standards.

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 le

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Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gmykxv-216-73-216-202-42 in your application.