Job Title

The Organisation:The Adelaide Lightning, an iconic franchise in the Women''s National Basketball League (WNBL), is entering an exciting new era. With a proud history, a passionate fan base, and a strong presence in South Australian sport, the Lightning is poised for growth under new leadership. Backed by the Wollemi Capital Group, and the NBL Group, with support from the South Australian Government, the club has secured its long-term future in the league. It is now focused on building a sustainable and successful elite womens basketball program.The WNBL is ambitious in its vision to set a global benchmark for womens sport and inspire the next generation of athletes. With the recent appointment of a new Head Coach and a state-of-the-art home at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI), a world-class facility offering elite training, medical, and performance services, the club is now seeking a Chief Executive Officer who will report to the Adelaide Lightning Board.This role represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Adelaide Lightning both on and off the court.The Role:The CEO will be responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Adelaide Lightning, including financial management, revenue generation, community engagement, and building strong relationships with stakeholders.The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in growing revenue, business development, and stakeholder relations, with a passion for womens sport and a deep connection to the community. This will be crucial in driving the next chapter of the teams history and future success.The Responsibilities:Commercial GrowthThe CEO will build a long-term strategic commercial plan to build sustainable growth, ensuring the financial health of the organisation through sound budget management, revenue generation and financial compliance. This includes a focus on securing new partnerships and proactively identifying opportunities that contribute to the growth of all commercial metrics.The Chief Executive Officer will lead the successful onboarding and management of commercial partners and sponsors, delivering exceptional service and ensuring long-term retention. Maximising partnership value through innovation and data-driven insights, and driving renewals and revenue growth.Community Engagement & ImpactThe CEO will bring a proven track record in developing and delivering impactful community programs, with a strong focus on inclusion and participation. They will demonstrate a deep and authentic connection to the community, particularly in championing initiatives that encourage women and girls to engage with basketball and the Adelaide Lightning.This includes driving grassroots pathways, forging strategic partnerships with community organisations, and ensuring the Adelaide Lightning is a visible, accessible, and inspiring presence across South Australia.Fan EngagementLead the development and execution of marketing and fan engagement strategies that enhance the overall fan experience, including game day activations, community outreach initiatives, and social media engagement.Deliver fan experiences that position Adelaide Lightning as a world-class, family-friendly entertainment product, showcasing high-quality basketball and creating meaningful connections and memories with diverse audiences.On Court PerformanceLead the clubs efforts to elevate on-court performance, ensuring Adelaide Lightning thrives both on and off the court. Supporting a high-performance environment, investing in talent pathways, and ensuring sustained success at the elite level.Play a pivotal role in fostering a strong, inclusive, and values-driven culture across the organisation, uniting players, high-performance and administration staff, fans, and partners in a shared vision for the future and on-court success of Adelaide Lightning.Government RelationsThe role will be responsible for developing and executing high-quality Government Relations strategies in partnership with the WNBL and the Adelaide Lightning Board. This includes building and maintaining strong relationships with key State and Local government leaders and departments.The successful candidate will also work closely with the WNBL and Ownership Group to leverage their influence and networks, ensuring the best possible outcomes for Adelaide Lightning.Team LeadershipResponsible for developing a team structure aligned with the strategic direction and budget set by the Adelaide Lightning Board and WNBL.Recruit and retain a high-performing team with the right blend of skills, experience, and cultural fit, while actively coaching and developing individuals to operate as a cohesive unit. Cultivating a positive, inclusive, and purpose-led organisational culture, one that empowers people, reflects shared values, and strengthens connections across all levels of the club.Essential Criteria:The successful candidate will demonstrate:Leadership: Strong strategic thinking and proven people leadership skills, with the ability to lead teams and develop and execute growth-oriented commercial plans.Public Facing: Experience representing an organisation in public settings, including industry events, and building strong relationships with fans, sponsors, media, government, and key stakeholders.Growth: A track record of success in rebuilding or relaunching a business, product, or brand.Commercial: Commercial acumen, including experience negotiating and finalising major partnership agreements that align with strategic goals and deliver value.Asset identification: The ability to identify and grow alternative revenue streams and engagement strategies beyond traditional sports sponsorship.On Court Performance: Instrumental in building the Adelaide Lightnings on-court success, driving high performance while strengthening the foundations of a winning and sustainable program.Stakeholder Excellence: A strong track record of building and maintaining excellent relationships, and success in contributing effectively as part of an executive leadership team or Board.Media: Confidence and clarity in communication, with experience engaging with media and a wide range of stakeholders.Financial Literacy: A high level of financial literacy, with experience in budgeting and financial management within a commercial environment.Sports Enthusiast: A genuine passion for sport and an understanding of the sports market, with prior industry experience welcomed it is not essential.Decision Making: The ability to apply broad commercial thinking to decision-making while balancing both commercial and community priorities.Network: A well-established network and relationships within the national business community.Community: A strong personal connection to the community and a genuine commitment to grow the sport/basketball/womens sport in South Australia.Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in sport, business, marketing, law, commerce, or a related field.Please submit a resume and a compelling cover letter directly to email, including why you would be a good fit for the Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide Lightning by Friday, 27th June or for a confidential conversation, please contact:Josie Lahey, Partner, Australiae: josie.lahey@oneelevate.comm: +61 478 803 255Ramesh Somasundaram, Principal, APACe: ramesh.somasundaram@oneelevate.comm: +61 433 491 524ELEVATE TALENTElevate Talent is a global executive search firm and talent consultancy that helps clients navigate their complex and ever-evolving talent challenges. 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