First woman at the top: Daniela Bauer leads SK Rapid Vienna!

First woman at the top: Daniela Bauer leads SK Rapid Vienna!

A very special day for SK Rapid Vienna: Daniela Bauer, previously Global Head of Partnership & Sponsoring at Allianz in Munich, will become the first female business manager in the club's history. Her predecessor, Marcus Knipping, who left his post in March 2023, leaves behind big shoes that Bauer is now stepping into. At 39, she not only brings a breath of fresh air, but also an impressive career in sports and marketing.

Bauer, who was an active freestyle skier herself and competed for Austria in the World Cup, is well connected. After studying in Krems, Australia and the USA, her career change came in 2018 when she moved from Red Bull to the German Football League (DFL). There she headed the areas of digital partnerships and crisis PR before she was most recently responsible for a broad portfolio of sports marketing at Allianz. How crown reports, she was responsible, among other things, for extending the sponsorship deal with FC Bayern until 2033 and is particularly committed to women's football.

A good hand for sponsorship

Bauer brings with him a wealth of experience in acquiring and supporting sponsors. Your goal at Rapid will be to gain further partnerships and intensify existing strategic alliances. The extensive expertise she has gained from well-known companies promises to give the association new impetus in financial matters. Under her leadership, Rapid could open up new ways to promote young talent in particular and further establish the Rapid brand.

A topic that is particularly important to the new managing director is the equality of women in sport. While women are severely underrepresented in many leadership positions, Bauer is actively committed to initiating change. According to a research by Sports women Only around 4% of supervisory board positions in the Bundesliga are held by women. This shows how important it is to have role models like Bauer in leadership positions in order to inspire and pave the way for other female talents.

Encourage and set standards

Female leaders often have the task not only of paving their own path, but also of encouraging other women. This is also confirmed by a study that showed that female managers increase other women's chances of advancement. Daniela Bauer could now use her example to set an example and show how women in leadership positions can not only be equal, but also successful.

We are excited to see what innovative ideas and changes Daniela Bauer will implement at Rapid Vienna. With a strong network, international experience and a clear focus on promoting women in sport, Rapid faces an exciting future under her leadership. A good hand is required here, and we keep our fingers crossed that Bauer can set the direction. The football world will be watching with interest to see what effect this change will have - because there is clearly something going on!