Client Case Study - Al Jazira

Jobs4football,? successfully tackled a time-sensitive recruitment project for UAE Pro League side Al Jazira part of the prestigious City Football Group. This case study details how Jobs4football efficiently filled 9 critical academy positions across multiple departments in just three months, navigating the complexities of the Gulf market and exceeding client expectations.

Al Jazira, seeking to enhance their academy's performance both on and off the pitch, turned to Jobs4football for their expertise in the region. The project demanded a swift and comprehensive talent acquisition strategy, targeting high-quality candidates, including Arabic speakers, for roles in medical, coaching, operations, and analysis departments. Jobs4football's innovative approach, leveraging their extensive regional knowledge and advanced recruitment technologies, not only met the tight deadline but also ensured a 100% retention rate 12 months post-hire.

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About

Al Jazira, a prominent UAE Pro League side and part of the City Football Group, approached Jobs4football with a pressing need to improve their academy's professional output both on and off the pitch. Having previously worked with high-profile sport-specific recruitment agencies, Al Jazira found that these companies lacked the necessary knowledge of the Gulf football market and its unique challenges.

Internal City Football Group audits had highlighted several urgent key areas of improvement within their Academy, requiring the recruitment of best in class candidates to support these initiatives.

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Challenge

The primary challenge was the urgent nature of implementing a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy. Al Jazira needed to fill 9 roles within a tight three-month timeframe, spanning various departments including medical, coaching, operations, player care and analysis. The club also insisted on Arabic speakers for certain positions, adding another layer of complexity to the recruitment process.

Furthermore, the quality of candidates had to meet high standards to align with Al Jazira's ambitious goals. The club had no internal job page to host or share job descriptions or any candidate management system.

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Solution

Jobs4football leveraged its expertise in the Gulf region, gained since 2013, to manage the cultural differences for candidates, HR and line managers effectively. After consulting in detail to gain an in depth knowledge of each role, a proactive campaign was launched, utilising Jobs4football's internal member database, targeting passive candidates, and implementing headhunting strategies. Social media campaigns via LinkedIn, X, Instagram and targeted marketing were additionally employed to maximise the reach of the roles and highlight the Al Jazira brand within the global market. A 360-degree recruitment strategy was adopted, using Jobs4football's 4TA candidate management?software to manage candidate applications and workflow. This approach ensured that every applicant received feedback, delivering an excellent candidate experience.

The Jobs4football team worked tirelessly to maximise market reach, screen CVs, educate candidates and create/engage with long-listed candidates, ultimately filtering down to a final shortlist of three candidates per role who fit the job requirement, were motivated to work in UAE and who fit the budget set by the football club.

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Result

Jobs4football exceeded expectations by successfully delivering the recruitment and assisting with the onboarding of 9 key candidates into the Al Jazira Academy. The urgent response was crucial for the football club to achieve its goals. Notably, 12 months after the recruitment process, the retention rate for these candidates stands at 100%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the process.

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HR Director of Al Jazira commented, "Without the impressive work Jobs4football had done, we would not have achieved the critical appointments needed. Extremely happy with the quality of candidates sourced, the professional process, and also the patience to deal with a demanding HR Director like myself. I would recommended using Jobs4football to clubs at all levels globally.".

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This case study not only highlights Jobs4football's exceptional ability to navigate complex recruitment challenges in the Gulf region but also showcases their commitment to excellence in the football industry. By delivering high-quality candidates within tight timeframes and meeting the specific needs of prestigious football clubs like Al Jazira, Jobs4football has demonstrated why they are a leader in sports talent acquisition.

The success of this project underscores several key strengths of Jobs4football:

1. Regional Expertise: Our deep understanding of the Gulf market's unique dynamics proved invaluable in overcoming cultural and logistical hurdles.
2. Efficient Process: The ability to fill 9 diverse roles in just three months highlights a streamlined and effective recruitment strategy
3. Quality Assurance: The 100% retention rate after 12 months validates the high calibre of candidates sourced and the thoroughness of the selection process.
4. Tailored Solutions: Jobs4football's approach was customised to meet Al Jazira's specific requirements, including the need for Arabic speakers in certain roles.
5. Technological Edge: The use of Jobs4football internal bespoke talent acquisition software 4TA ensured a smooth, transparent process for both the client and candidates.

For football clubs and organisations facing similar recruitment challenges, Jobs4football will continue to be a reliable partner capable of devising bespoke talent acquisition strategies and contributing to overall organisational success.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, the importance of strategic recruitment cannot be overstated. Jobs4football's success with Al Jazira sets a benchmark in football talent acquisition, promising exciting possibilities for clubs looking to enhance their competitive edge through strategic staffing solutions.