Weekly Careers Update #19/2026

This week’s edition highlights a broad range of leadership and commercial moves across the football business, from executive appointments and internal promotions to long term departures and structural changes at club level.

Bernhard Schmidt departs Admira Wacker
Bernhard Schmidt has departed his role as Chief Executive Officer of Admira Wacker after nine months at the club. During his tenure, he focused on strengthening the club’s visibility, partnerships and commercial development. Prior to joining Admira Wacker, he worked as an attorney at law at Schoenherr and previously held legal and commercial roles at LASK.

Scott Gormal takes next step at Aberdeen FC
Scott Gormal has taken on the role of Director of Strategy & Growth at Aberdeen Football Club. He has been with the club for more than 11 years, previously serving as Head of Marketing, Brand & Strategy and Head of Marketing.

Colorado Rapids strengthen commercial leadership team
Colorado Rapids have appointed Justyne Freud as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy and Elizabeth DeFeo as Vice President of Partnerships. Freud joins from San Diego Wave FC, where she served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications, following earlier roles at Chicago Fire FC and Chicago Red Stars. DeFeo arrives from Octagon, where she spent 13 years working in partnership and client services roles, most recently as Vice President of Client Services.

Tim Evens takes on new role at KRC Genk
Tim Evens has taken on the role of Fan Acquisition Manager at KRC Genk after previously serving as Fan Service Manager at the club. Prior to joining KRC Genk in 2022, he spent more than 11 years at BNP Paribas Fortis in various business transformation and management roles.

Hannah Buckley appointed CEO at Bristol City Women
Bristol City Women have appointed Hannah Buckley as Chief Executive Officer ahead of the 2026/27 season. She joins from Women’s Professional Leagues, where she most recently served as Head of Infrastructure, Safety and Sustainability, following earlier facilities and project management roles within the women’s game at The Football Association.

James Watts appointed Managing Director at Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town have appointed James Watts as Managing Director. He joins from Swindon Town, where he most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer, following earlier roles as Commercial Manager at the club. Prior to that, he was Managing Director at UK Football Solutions and General Manager at Hereford FC.

Caron Streeter joins Crystal Palace FC
Caron Streeter has joined Crystal Palace Football Club as Head of HR. She previously held several people and HR roles at Fulham FC, most recently serving as Head of People.

Maëlle Valoir appointed COO at Royal Charleroi SC
Royal Charleroi SC have appointed Maëlle Valoir as Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Olivier Simons. She joins from Deloitte and will become part of the club’s executive leadership team, while Simons departs after four years with the organisation.

Markus Grünberger joins FC Ingolstadt 04 leadership team
Markus Grünberger will join FC Ingolstadt 04 as Managing Director for Marketing & Sponsoring from 15 June 2026. He currently serves as Managing Director of Golfclub Ingolstadt, where he has spent more than 14 years, and previously played in the youth systems of MTV Ingolstadt and FC Bayern München.

Arnas Paškevičius joins FK Žalgiris Vilnius
FK Žalgiris Vilnius have appointed Arnas Paškevičius as Chief Commercial Officer. He joins from Teltonika, where he held several sales and business management roles focused on international markets, and previously played football in Lithuania’s top division.

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