Clara Manso, Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Coordinator at LALIGA, explains what her day-to-day job looks like and shares key insights for students aiming to break into the sports industry
Founded in 1929, LALIGA is one of the most famous sports competitions in the world — and also one of the most successful. In the 2023-2024 season, LALIGA surpassed €2 billion in revenue for the first time. During the SPORTS BUSINESS Job Fair, Clara Manso, Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Coordinator at LALIGA, spoke about the nature of her role and offered advice for those aspiring to build a career in the sports sector.
“We work with very diverse profiles, from data engineers to content creatives, but there’s one common trait we deeply value: the ability to adapt and keep learning,” Manso said.
Organized by Johan Cruyff Institute and Impulsyn, the SPORTS BUSINESS Job Fair featured an interview with Clara Manso. In that context, she shared valuable insights into the kinds of profiles major leagues are looking for, and how students can develop the skills needed to seize opportunities in this field.
As Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Coordinator at LALIGA, what does a typical day at work look like?
At LALIGA, especially in recruitment, it’s crucial to stay closely aligned with the needs of each department. We meet with them regularly, and I believe that direct contact is essential to truly understand the business, what they require, and to get to know the teams. Often, departments tend to focus on the technical side of a role, which is of course important, but sometimes they overlook the human side, the soft skills, or even the values that make someone a good fit for the team.
We spend a big part of our day working and sharing time with our team, so being able to assess whether a candidate will fit within that dynamic is key. That ongoing relationship with the department helps guide our search. We also have a lot of contact with candidates — talking with them, getting to know them, conducting interviews, and walking them through the various stages of the process. Throughout it all, we maintain constant feedback loops with the team. For example, we might present five candidates for a role and discuss with the hiring team how they see each one, and share our own assessment as recruitment professionals. This dialogue continues until the process is complete.
What types of profiles are most in demand at LALIGA?
There’s a wide range of profiles, as we have many teams and departments. But broadly, we could group them into three main categories. First, business strategy roles. Then, marketing profiles — within that, you can specialize in brand, sponsorship activation, social media, audiovisual production, communications, etc. Finally, there’s a more recent category: technical roles in cybersecurity.
“We’re currently very focused on combating audiovisual piracy, and we need specialists in that area to strengthen our team.”
Would you say that technological profiles, such as cybersecurity experts, are harder to find?
Yes, because that area is highly specialized. These are cybersecurity professionals who often come from the telecom or entertainment platform sectors — essentially, industries where piracy is a major concern. Ideally, candidates should come from that background and understand those threats in order to adapt and solve them within the LALIGA environment.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to work with you at LALIGA?
Whether it’s at LALIGA or anywhere else, I always say the most important thing is to understand your own profile, motivations, and professional goals — and then align those with the role you’re applying for. It’s also crucial to properly prepare for the interview. Time is limited, so you shouldn’t try to say too much and risk losing focus, nor say too little and miss the chance to show your potential. Striking the right balance is key.
“Football is a highly competitive and emotionally charged industry, but it increasingly requires experts and professionals with specific knowledge who can apply their skills within the sports context.”
In the sports industry, profiles with the ability to learn quickly will become increasingly valuable — as will those who can work in diverse teams and adapt to change faster than the rest.
