Sports Recruitment International

Name: Vincent Gaillard
Company: SportAccord
Position: Director General
University/ degree:  Currently undertaking an MSc (Masters of Science) in Corporate Environmental Management at the Center for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey, England. Previously a Masters in Sports Management at Audencia Nantes, France; European Management Diploma from INSEEC / ECE Bordeaux, France.
Current home town:  Prangins, Switzerland.


CAREER

Who/what inspired you to make the move from your previous role with Coca-Cola to SportAccord?

An optimal combination of personal reasons – a strong desire to settle in Switzerland with my family after years of international travels – and professional reasons: SportAccord presents a huge potential of development, through its core mission to unite and support International Sports Federations, and the development of services in areas that are particularly close to my heart:  social responsibility, environment, integrity, good governance, health, and many more to come.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Managing a successful sponsorship activation of the Beijing 2008 Olympics for The Coca-Cola Company, including the implementation of ambitious sustainability initiatives with several NGOs and International Organizations, and a “Green Medal” awarded by Greenpeace!

What does your typical day at SportAccord involve?

Considering I started just a few weeks ago:  actively listening to our people and various stakeholders, pondering, exchanging thoughts, planning for the future.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

Adjusting to a new corporate culture, a new environment, new practices after so many years with the same organisation.

What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job?

Simply exploring the potential of development ahead of us, and thinking about how we will harness it for the benefit of our members.

What tips would you give to students wanting to break into the sports industry?

It’s a small world, reputations can be built and destroyed quickly.  consistency and integrity are timeless values!

What are the most common mistakes you’ve seen candidates making?

Not listening.

How has elite sport changed since you first entered the industry?

It certainly got much more professional, but sometimes at the expense of integrity, good governance, health.  That needs to change!  At the same time though, there is a growing understanding of how sport can be beneficial to broader issues such as the environment, peace, the integration of people with disabilities, and that’s very refreshing.


SPORT/ LIFE

Favourite sports to participate in:

Hiking & trekking outdoors.  It just does not get any better for me.

Favorite sports to watch:

Figure-skating and gymnastics during the Olympics; a good basketball or rugby game during major tournaments.

What in your opinion has been the sporting highlight of the past 12 months?

My 9yr-old daughter Joanna and 7yr-old son Jonathan jumping from a 5-meter-high waterfall in Haute -Provence.  In a dark and cold water, with a pit-bull swimming in it.

What will be the sporting highlight of the next 12 months?

Michael Jordan’s comeback with the Chicago Bulls?

Non-sport hobbies:

Nature, wildlife, photography.

Where did you go for your last holiday?

Big ones in New Zealand; small ones in the Scottish Highlands.

What piece of technology would you be lost without?

My favorite 5-year old, 100% waterproof, super technical, black Gore-tex jacket.