Jill Roberts

CFO/VP of Business Operations at Utah Grizzlies Hockey Club

“I’d like to thank Jill Roberts for providing valuable insights into her role as CFO/VP of Business Operations at the Utah Grizzlies Hockey Club. Jill, who holds a degree in accounting, started her career in sports straight out of college and has progressed through multiple promotions within her organization. She shared how her supportive company environment has mitigated gender-based challenges, though she has sometimes felt out of place in predominantly male social settings.

Jill emphasized her strategies for balancing work and family life, including delegating household tasks and focusing on family time when not at work. She credited her success to the mentorship of a female company owner, who helped her build confidence in her abilities. Her advice for young women in the sports industry is to persist, value their education, and embrace constructive feedback as essential components of career success.” – Zara Halabu

Please describe your role; responsibilities at that position?

Oversee all company finances including financial statement preparation, oversee all business operations within the Company

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I have a bachelors in accounting. I never thought I would go into the sports industry and did not take accounting classes or business classes specific to the sports industry.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

I started in the sports industry straight out of college and it is all I have ever known. I have been promoted several times within our organization.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in sports business, & how have you overcome them?

I have been fortunate to work for a Company that hasn’t made me feel there is a difference between men and women in sports. It has been challenging to feel like I fit in when in social settings where it is predominantly male.

Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work -life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

I hire help with my kids and household work so that when I am not working, I can spend quality time with my kids and husband so that I am not always cleaning house, etc. When leaving work, I try to “check out” so that I can be focused on things outside of work.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

My mentor has been the owners of our company. With one being female, she has helped me believe that I can do anything.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

In the organization I work for, I feel women are given equal opportunities. I am sure that it is not the case everywhere. I think the only thing we can do it promote gender equality is to continue to give women opportunities.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging?

The most challenging is work life balance. Most enjoyable is the people I get to work with.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Don’t give up. Don’t believe people that say it can’t be done. Get a college degree and be willing to listen to constructive criticism. Choose to not take offense.

Utah Grizzlies Hockey Club Team