Wide-Ranging Success

The Opportunity
Sodexo Live! engaged Prodigy Search to lead two critical Senior Vice President, Operations searches across the Midwest U.S. and Canada - each presenting distinct operational and leadership challenges. In the Midwest, a restructuring created leadership gaps in a key growth region. The selected executive would oversee NFL stadiums and large-scale convention centers, manage a nine-figure budget, and integrate new regional leaders while fostering cultural alignment and diversity. In Canada, the newly established national platform required a leader to oversee significant annual revenue across 15 venues. This executive needed to navigate a unique regulatory landscape while balancing a global perspective with local market expertise. Prodigy Search was tasked with sourcing, vetting, and identifying top-tier, diverse candidates capable of driving operational excellence and shaping the organization’s future across both regions.

The Prodigy Approach
Prodigy Search executed a phased, market-specific strategy, prioritizing first the Midwest search before expanding into Canada, while tailoring each process to the complexity of the role and region. With established knowledge of Sodexo Live!’s structure and growth objectives, the team developed targeted candidate profiles centered around large-scale food & beverage operations, financial oversight, and proven leadership in high-volume environments. A comprehensive talent mapping effort was conducted across the United States and Canada, identifying leaders within stadiums, arenas, and major event venues. The search extended into adjacent sectors, including hospitality, higher education, and large-scale event operations to introduce diverse perspectives and transferable expertise. To further strengthen the Canadian search, the team expanded the candidate pool to include U.S.-based executives open to relocation, broadening access to proven operators with transferable leadership experience.

The Outcome
Prodigy Search successfully delivered two high-impact leaders to oversee operations across both regions, each bringing deep expertise in large-scale venue management, team leadership, and revenue-driven strategy. Backed by deep institutional knowledge from prior work with Sodexo Live!, the search resulted in candidates closely aligned with the organization’s structure, culture, and long-term growth objectives. Each leader brought proven experience overseeing complex food & beverage operations and guiding teams through periods of change and transformation. By casting a wide, cross-industry net - spanning sports venues, hospitality, higher education, and large-scale event operations - Prodigy Search introduced fresh perspectives and complementary expertise, ensuring a strong and strategic fit for both roles. These placements strengthened Sodexo Live!’s leadership infrastructure across North America and reinforced Prodigy Search’s ability to execute complex, multi-market searches on a global scale.