An international experience in the heart of Switzerland

Interview with TEAM’s longest-serving employee, Petra

For nearly 30 years, Petra has been infusing TEAM with her positivity and can-do attitude. As someone who loves travelling and being around other cultures, TEAM was instantly appealing. After studying in England and working in French-speaking Geneva, she returned to the Lucerne area eager for an opportunity to put her language skills to use. Less than an hour away from her home-town in central Switzerland, TEAM offered the best of both worlds – an international experience, but still close to home.

Representing 30 different nationalities, TEAM has always attracted a diverse workforce, which plays a big role in the unique corporate culture. Yet, when she joined the company back in 1993, she never would have guessed just how fulfilling and long-lasting her career at TEAM would be.

“Since the very beginning, TEAM has been very international, dynamic and lively. It’s never competitive among departments or colleagues. We’re all in it together and you feel that. Everyone is supportive and dedicated.”

While Petra is TEAM’s longest-serving employee, quite a few others are not far behind. Today, colleagues with more than 15 years’ service represent 14% of the staff.

Staying motivated after so many years

Working as a Senior Marketing Partnerships Manager, Petra’s days are never the same. Over the years some sponsor partners come and go and others have been with her for decades. There’s always a new challenge to tackle or a new idea to bring to life.

And for a significant part of her time at TEAM, Petra was heavily involved in venue operation work, meaning she was travelling to clubs across Europe to support the matches on-site. Every location was as diverse in its requirements as it was in culture or language. Venue work provided some of the most challenging, but also most rewarding work, while also creating inseparable bonds between her and colleagues. In fact, Petra is still in regular contact with former colleagues (and now life-long friends) from her early days.

While she no longer does venue work, Petra still travels frequently as part of her role to meet with sponsor partners around the world and is almost always at the UEFA Champions League Finals. Over the years, she has worked at 21 clubs and 26 Club Competition Finals in 15 countries.

That love of travel compelled her to resign in 2008 to take a year-long sabbatical abroad. Petra and her husband took time to road-trip across Canada and Alaska and then to work at a scuba diving school in Thailand. As her sabbatical neared its end, TEAM reached out to see if Petra would be willing to come back as a short-term maternity cover. That contract position was quickly extended to a full-time contract and she’s been here ever since.

TEAM has always been special. The people here are incredibly hard-working and the standards are very high, but the atmosphere is so positive and rewarding. I’ve always felt truly valued and that my hard work is appreciated.

Are you interested in experiencing TEAM’s unique culture first-hand? Check out our Careers page to learn more about Life at TEAM and our open roles.