Staying connected and building a career at TEAM’s London office

Kate Sloane, Commercial Affairs manager

TEAM’s UK office opened in vibrant London in 2020. Since then, the number of staff in the London office has tripled and represents employees from numerous departments across the organisation. Kate was one of the original members in the London office and shares her story of relocating first to Lucerne and then back to London, the importance of building community and connections, and how TEAM UK maintains a strong culture.

Seizing the opportunity to work in football

Born and raised in England, Kate's affinity for football took root in her childhood. As the youngest among four siblings, with three older brothers who shared her love for the sport, she was always immersed in the game. During university she explored various career avenues, including politics, but ultimately, the pull toward the sports industry was inevitable.

In addition to sports, she’d always been curious about working abroad. When she came across a job opening in Commercial Affairs at TEAM based in Lucerne, Kate seized the opportunity. The Commercial Affairs team is part of the Media Rights Sales department and works closely with sales and legal colleagues and UEFA to deliver industry leading media rights tenders and deals. They do this by evaluating the individual markets and competitive landscape and by working with the Media Rights Sales team to tailor the best commercial proposition for each individual market.

“The possibility to work in football, on the UEFA Club Competitions and in the heart of the media rights sales process was a dream job that I couldn’t pass up.”

A welcoming and supportive relocation

Relocating to a foreign country is a big decision, but also a big opportunity. Kate knew she’d be moving to Switzerland alone, leaving her family and friends back in London. TEAM made this transition as smooth as possible by providing her with temporary accommodation and assisting with logistics like applying for health insurance, opening bank accounts, and visiting the local immigration office. Before she even began the role, Kate had contact with her future boss and from her very first day, Kate felt welcomed and supported.

Coincidentally, her first day at TEAM was also her birthday, and she was surprised to be greeted with warm wishes and thoughtful gifts. The collaborative atmosphere and support she received from her colleagues gave her the sense of family she needed to succeed in her new environment.

Cultivating community and culture in the London office

In 2020, just as Kate was about to reach her one-year TEAM anniversary, discussions began around opening an office in London. Since many of the media partners with whom she works either have offices in London or are frequently there for business, there were significant advantages to moving her position to London. Kate was one of four people (all from Commercial Affairs/Media Rights Sales) who helped open the doors of the new London office. Since then, the London team has expanded to include representatives from various departments across TEAM such as Marketing Partnerships, Digital, Innovation, Legal, and People & Culture.

The open-plan office layout, which promotes knowledge-sharing and teamwork, has been instrumental in building and maintaining the sense of community. With even the Managing Director forgoing an office, it truly is an open-door culture. From regular team-building activities, such as watching football matches together or volunteering in the community, to frequent visits from the Swiss-based leadership team, the London office has forged its own unique identity, while remaining firmly rooted in the TEAM family.

“Starting out as one of the original members in the London office, I've had the privilege of witnessing its evolution from a small team to a thriving hub of creativity and innovation.”

A Gateway to collaboration

Working so closely to the media rights sales process, Kate emphasizes the significance of face-to-face interactions with media partners in establishing and nurturing relationships. Located in the heart of London, the office acts as a natural meeting point with stakeholders who either have a London presence or frequently travel through the city.

Additionally, the London office serves as a base for Lucerne colleagues traveling to the UK for meetings, conferences, or events. After experiencing the natural beauty of living in Switzerland, Kate is now proud to show off the dynamic culture of her home city to visiting colleagues.

Going beyond the day job

Kate is also deeply engaged in initiatives that reach beyond her day job. Her involvement with Leaders in Sport, and their Diversity Series, reflects her commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment. As a founding member of their Leaders Club, she benefits from a network of like-minded peers and aspiring leaders across the sports industry.

Furthermore, Kate is actively involved with TEAM’s mental health initiative. Having navigated the challenges of relocating to a foreign country by herself, she appreciates the potential isolating nature of such an experience. With this insight, she is dedicated to supporting her colleagues through similar transitions and advocating for mental well-being.

TEAM has really given me the opportunity to grow my career, learn from the best and contribute to building the bridges between Lucerne and London.

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