Building global connections through cross-cultural careers at TEAM
Interview with Pacôme Goïc, Media Partnerships
One common trait among TEAM staff is the desire to work in an international environment; with employees representing 30+ nationalities and speaking 20+ languages, working at the HQ can be a dynamic, cultural experience. For Pacôme, his role at TEAM also gives him the opportunity to support media partners across the globe and practice all four of his languages – including Russian – daily.
A passion for languages and international studies
Born and raised in France, Pacôme’s early years were filled with a love for football and a fascination with languages, cultures, and geography. While sport was not originally central to his career ambitions, his keen interest in international relations would eventually connect him to the sports industry. At the age of 11, he took up Russian on a whim, since it was among the languages offered at his school. For the next seven years, he slowly built up his Russian-language proficiency (alongside English, Spanish, and his native French) – a skill that would later give him an edge at TEAM.
Pacôme’s academic journey took him to French-speaking Montreal, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and then to Washington D.C., where he pursued a Master’s in International Affairs. However, it was during an internship in Berlin, at a sports organisation called streetfootballworld (now known as Common Goal), where sports first intersected his path; specifically, he dove into the topic of sports as a tool for social development and to address issues such as peacebuilding and social inequalities.
Breaking into the sports industry
After completing his Master’s, he made a bold move to Moscow to work in a sports agency (where, among other things, he supported the organisation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup’s FIFA Foundation Festival) and enrolled in a sports management course that ultimately led to a scholarship to the renowned FIFA Master’s programme. The FIFA Master’s, involving rotations in Leicester (UK), Milan (Italy), and Neuchâtel (Switzerland), provided Pacôme with a comprehensive education in sports management. Although the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the latter part of his studies, forcing him to complete the third rotation remotely from France, it did not diminish the impact of the experience.
Finding an international community at TEAM
The sports industry was severely impacted by Covid, making it difficult for Pacôme to find a job immediately after completing the programme. When he eventually came across an opening at TEAM that specifically highlighted the advantage of speaking Russian, he knew he had found the perfect fit.
As part of TEAM’s Media Partnership Department’s Commercial Advisory Unit, Pacôme is responsible for advising UEFA men’s club competitions’ media partners on how to best commercialise their rights. In addition to his key accounts across eight Russian-speaking territories, he also supports French- and Spanish-speaking media partners. When working with such a broad range of global partners, speaking the language plays a big role in facilitating trust and building strong relationships.
“Football is one of the few sports with a truly global audience, meaning I can engage with an international set of media partners. It’s really stimulating to be exposed to so many different cultures and ways of working.”
TEAM aims to cultivate a community where all staff can thrive and staff at all levels embrace a curiosity and openness toward diverse cultures.
I really enjoy the international feel at TEAM. With so many employees coming from different countries and backgrounds, you can really be yourself and not feel out of place.
Pacôme Goïc
Are you interested in experiencing TEAM’s unique opportunities first-hand? Check out our Careers page to learn more about Life at TEAM and our open roles.