ABOUT US
National Student Esports (NSE) was established in 2018, through a partnership with the British governing body for university sport. NSE serves as the official body for university esports and operates the British University Esports Championship. Now in its third year, the Championship is the cornerstone of NSE's proposition with over 1,000 teams from almost 100 universities competing.
Working directly with university staff and other key stakeholders, NSE strives to develop a wider understanding of the space and promote sustainable investment into esports initiatives and facilities. Current clients include Intel, Nintendo, Monster Energy and Barclays Bank with further partner announcements scheduled for 2021. NSE are a lively, fulltime team of five based in Central London and supported by a network of amazing students, contractors, and agencies.
NSE is part of Benchmark, an accelerator platform that invests in and creates purpose-driven businesses, Our mission is to build businesses that inspire and support communities, networks, organisations and people to connect with each other and society for the greater good. We do this through creative organic growth, unlikely collaborations, strategic acquisition & a start-up mentality.
Based in London & NYC the portfolio cuts across sport, social impact, health & wellness and esport.
Benchmark provides strategic support, finance and HR support to the businesses who benefit from a diverse talent and leadership pool across the various entities.
Learn more about Benchmark’s group: www.wearebenchmark.com
THE ROLE
After a successful first three years, NSE are seeking a Managing Director to accelerate NSE’s growth plan. The successful candidate will help shape and deliver NSE’s vision to provide lifelong benefits to students through gaming while sustainably scaling the business.
This significant role within the business will lead on long-term growth, development, and aspirations of the organisation. The role will consist of four key components:
- Developing strategy
- Managing commercial growth
- Leading and managing Team
- Business reporting
The successful candidate will be supported by an amazing team of passionate esports and gaming professionals with significant operational experience. This will allow the successful candidate to focus on corporate development, business health, and management functions.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy - Developing and owning the short, medium, and long-term growth strategy of NSE
- Expanding and developing the current strategy and the operational and implementation plan to succeed in achieving it
- Developing efficient structures for working as the company continues to quickly grow
- Lead the team delivering on the plan
- Measuring success and progress towards goals and adjusting accordingly
- Setting out clear ambition and purpose for the organisation with Benchmark and the team
Commercial - Identifying, proposing, and managing areas of growth for the business
- Lead on the commercial growth of NSE – through developing opportunities in this rapidly growing market with sponsors, publishers, media, and any other partnerships that add to the development of the brand
- Ensure that all partnerships are managed to a high standard
- Manage the business and people infrastructure behind that delivery
- Be clear on revenue opportunities and innovation in the space that build a credible business model
Team development - Lead and manage the NSE team and further recruitment
- To ensure that the current team are vested in the strategic plan and understand the implementation
- To ensure the team is relevant for the costs, revenues, and tasks at hand to deliver on the plan and short and medium terms goals
- To foster an environment of shared thinking, clarity, and development
- To ensure that people are reviewed and feel that they have opportunities to develop
- To work with Benchmark HR to ensure that the team is integrated into the opportunities and structure of the wider company
Business – P&Ls, budgets and investment, business plans
- With Benchmark build business plans, budgets, forecasts, and P&Ls
- Manage costs within the business and be aware of budgets that have been set
- To help develop the investment proposition of NSE
- This will all be done in conjunction with FD and CEO of Benchmark
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The role of MD is about providing the structure and business fundamentals to allow NSE’s existing team of market specialists to achieve their maximum potential. Knowledge of the gaming and esports space is highly desirable but not essential provided applicants can demonstrate prior experience managing a team of technical specialists.
- Five plus years of management experience ideally running a small business or leading a division within a larger organisation
- Material experience of P&L management and accountability
- Previous experience in a fast-moving start-up and/or agency environment is desirable
- Prior experience of fundraising and managing investor relationships is desirable
Benefits
- Competitive Salary + EMI Share Options Scheme
- Flexible office/home working 3/2 day split either way
- 25 days paid leave each year in addition to public holidays
- Private Health Care (after completion of a successful probation period)
- Mental Health EAP scheme
- Contribution to home office and wellness equipment
