Sports Recruitment &
Executive Search.
Exceptional talent for professional sport. From specialist and management appointments to senior leadership and the C-suite, we help organisations find the people who move sport forward.
Exceptional talent for professional sport.
Opsynta is a specialist sports recruitment and executive search firm connecting professional sports organisations with exceptional off-field talent. We recruit from specialist and management roles through to senior leadership and C-suite appointments across Football, Formula 1, MotoGP, Rugby and Cricket, in the UK and internationally.
Football Recruitment
Football recruitment and executive search appointments for clubs, leagues, governing bodies and football organisations.
Formula 1 Recruitment
Formula 1 recruitment and executive search across leadership, commercial, operations, engineering, technology and performance.
Rugby Recruitment
Rugby recruitment and executive search appointments across Rugby Union, Rugby League, clubs and governing bodies.
MotoGP Recruitment
MotoGP recruitment and executive search for senior leadership, commercial, operational and technical appointments.
Cricket Recruitment
Cricket recruitment and executive search appointments for professional clubs, counties, governing bodies and cricket organisations.
Sports Recruitment & Executive Search
Two complementary ways to hire, supported by research-led talent intelligence. We tailor each search to the role, market and needs of your organisation.
Specialist talent. Stronger teams.
Permanent recruitment for specialist, management and departmental leadership roles across the commercial and operational functions of professional sport. We identify, engage and assess candidates against your brief, typically through a success-fee model.
Critical appointments. Considered search.
Confidential, research-led executive search for directors, senior executives, C-suite and strategically important leadership roles. We map the market and approach relevant leaders discreetly, typically through an exclusive retained mandate.
Understand the market before you hire.
Market mapping, salary benchmarking, succession research and talent identification support more informed recruitment decisions. Available alongside recruitment and executive search, or as a standalone project where appropriate.
Expertise across the business of sport.
We recruit across the specialist, management and leadership functions that help professional sports organisations operate and grow. The scope is tailored to each appointment.
Executive Leadership
CEO · COO · Managing Director · Chief of Staff · Executive Director
Commercial, Partnerships & Sponsorship
Commercial Manager · Head of Partnerships · Sponsorship Director · Chief Commercial Officer
Marketing, Communications & Brand
Marketing Manager · Head of Communications · Brand Director · CMO
Finance & Corporate Services
Finance Manager · Financial Controller · Finance Director · CFO · Legal Counsel
People, HR & Talent
HR Manager · Talent Acquisition Lead · Head of People · Chief People Officer
Operations, Events & Competitions
Operations Manager · Events Director · Head of Competitions · COO
Technology, Data & Digital
Data Analyst · Digital Manager · Head of Technology · CTO
Strategy, Transformation & Governance
Strategy Manager · Programme Director · Head of Governance · Chief Strategy Officer
Sporting Operations
Football Operations Manager · Team Manager · Sporting Director · Technical Director
Recruitment, Scouting & Talent Identification
Recruitment Analyst · Scout · Head of Scouting · Director of Recruitment
Performance & Medical
Performance Analyst · Head of Performance · Medical Director · High Performance Director
We search beyond the obvious.
Specialist sports knowledge, proactive talent identification and a personal approach to every appointment. We help you reach the right people, not simply those actively looking.
Focused on professional sport.
We recruit across the business of professional sport, from specialist functions and department heads to executive leadership.
Personal service. Clear accountability.
A hands-on partner who understands your requirements, communicates clearly and stays involved throughout the appointment.
Beyond the active market.
Research-led sourcing and direct engagement connect you with active and passive talent across relevant markets.
Confidential by default.
Sensitive mandates, succession planning and candidate conversations are handled discreetly. We do not use confidential relationships as marketing material.
Research that informs decisions.
Market mapping, salary benchmarking and succession research help define realistic briefs and informed decisions.
Look beyond familiar names.
We consider relevant experience across sports and adjacent industries where skills and context can transfer effectively.
A considered approach to every hire.
We begin with your objectives and the role to be filled, then identify, engage and assess suitable people before supporting you through to appointment.
Understand the brief
Understand the organisation, then agree the mandate, success profile, culture, remuneration and non-negotiables.
Identify the talent
Research direct competitors, the wider sport, other professional sports and relevant adjacent sectors to identify the strongest potential talent.
Engage & assess
Approach relevant active and passive leaders confidentially, then assess capability, experience, motivation, values and fit against the brief.
Shortlist & appoint
Receive a focused, evidence-led shortlist with support through interviews, referencing, offer and appointment.
The right talent may be anywhere.
With UK and US operations, we support sports recruitment and executive search in the UK and internationally. Each search focuses on the markets and people most relevant to the appointment.
Talk through an international hireAfrica
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Australia
A specialist team. Personally accountable.
Opsynta combines the rigour of executive search with the flexibility of specialist recruitment. Our team works closely with clients and candidates, with clear communication and personal accountability throughout.
Mike Noyes-Perrin
Founder & CEOMike leads client partnerships and search strategy, working directly with sports organisations on senior appointments.
LinkedIn profile
Jodie Noyes-Perrin
Co-FounderJodie helps shape our candidate experience and long-term relationships across professional sport.
LinkedIn profile
Dean Faithfull
Recruitment DirectorDean partners with sports organisations and senior candidates to deliver leadership appointments with care and rigour.
LinkedIn profile
Laura Sagar
Talent & Research AssociateLaura supports research and outreach, helping us build meaningful relationships with relevant leaders across sport.
Opsynta on LinkedInTrust is part of the search.
Senior appointments often begin long before they become public. We work discreetly with organisations considering leadership change and with accomplished executives who may be open to the right opportunity without being visible on the market.
Flexible ways to work together.
Choose the recruitment model that fits your role. We explain the scope, fees and process before work begins, with personal delivery throughout.
Permanent sports recruitment
For specialist, management and leadership vacancies. We identify, assess and introduce suitable candidates, with a success fee payable when an Opsynta-introduced candidate is appointed.
Retained executive search
For critical director, executive and C-suite appointments. An exclusive, research-led mandate with confidential outreach, structured assessment and agreed fee stages.
For professional sports clubs, teams, leagues, governing bodies and closely related organisations.
Your next chapter deserves the right conversation.
We build confidential relationships with talented professionals across sport, from specialists and managers to senior leaders. Share your experience and ambitions so we can consider you for relevant opportunities, with discretion at every stage.
Share your profileGreat leadership starts with a conversation.
Tell us about a vacancy, a future hiring requirement or your next move in professional sport. We will listen, discuss the market and recommend an appropriate next step. Initial conversations are confidential.
Discussing a senior appointment? Choose the conversation that suits you. Initial discussions are confidential and without obligation.