Professional baseball team SSG Landers has concluded its partnership with General Manager Kim Jae-hyun and appointed Kim Sung-yong as the new head of operations, marking a significant restructuring of the front office. The team aims to rebound in the 2027 season and prepare for the 2028 'Cheongna era' with a new operational structure focused on practical and field-oriented management.
On November 11, SSG announced, "We have concluded our collaboration with General Manager Kim Jae-hyun and appointed Kim Sung-yong, head of the R&D team, as the new head of operations."
The most notable change is the restructuring of roles and titles. SSG has replaced the traditional general manager system with a three-pronged structure under the CEO, focusing on operations, marketing, and business. Specifically, the operations head will oversee the team, the marketing head will manage marketing and advertising, and the business head will be responsible for facility management, human resources, and finance.
The newly established operations head position effectively takes on the responsibilities previously held by the general manager. This role encompasses the discovery and development of domestic and international players, foreign player acquisitions, team management, and media relations.
SSG explained that while the previous general manager held an executive-level position, the new structure allows for internal promotion of front office personnel who have proven their capabilities. The goal is to enhance synergy between departments based on systematic processes grounded in data and scientific analysis.
Kim Sung-yong, who now takes charge of the baseball team's operations, joined the former SK Wyverns in 2010 and has accumulated 16 years of diverse experience within the organization. He has worked in various roles, including marketing, human resources, public relations, operations, and R&D. Notably, in 2022, he contributed to the team's historic 'wire-to-wire' championship win in the KBO League as the head of operations.
The team noted that Kim is the first non-player to rise from a front office intern to a position overseeing the entire team.
Kim expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am deeply thankful to the organization for entrusting me with this significant responsibility at such an important turning point for the team as we approach the Cheongna era. I feel a heavy sense of duty."
He added, "Rather than grand ambitions, I will focus on supporting the players' growth and the coaching staff's success while enhancing the professionalism and capabilities of the operations front office. I am committed to listening to the voices from the field and starting from the basics with a humble attitude."
General Manager Kim Jae-hyun, who took over the front office ahead of the 2024 season, will depart the organization after this season, having led the team for three seasons.
This season, under manager Lee Seung-yong, SSG finished sixth with a record of 65 wins, 5 ties, and 74 losses, failing to qualify for the postseason.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.