From the beginning, it was always a part of the vision for this stadium. Orlando City’s front office staff would have offices built into the Lions new home, creating a positive work environment that would make the organization feel more connected and also better enable people to do their job. On Monday, that final piece of the puzzle came together, as Orlando City welcomed the front office staff to their new home.
It was important to Leitao and the rest of the Orlando City team that the new offices cater to the needs of the employees and create a positive work environment. This will help Orlando City to not only retain the current team, but draw in new talent.
“It’s my understanding that today the office, it’s a very important piece when people decide to take a job or stay in a job,” Leitao said. “So, in my opinion, it’s a very important asset to attract talent and to retain talent. So, my idea, since the beginning, was having a very nice and pleasant work space. And in order to do that, we try to understand the characteristics of our people.”
There were two major points that Leitao and his team took into account-- the employee's love of soccer and their needs on a day-to-day basis.
“The passion that we have for the game,” Leitao said. “So, we are talking here-- my TV is on, and we have soccer on, and I see the other areas and all the TVs around, they’re always on soccer. So, we always wanted to have this type of environment and atmosphere.”
“And then understanding the vocation and the DNA and the need of each department,” Leitao said. “There are some departments that need more space in the table, and in terms of storage and shelves, and some others are different. And some departments need more open areas so people can come and talk and discuss, do some small meetings. And some others, like Finance for instance, they need more quiet, a more enclosed, a more private type of work station. So, we decided not to do one-size-fits all type of furniture. So, all departments have their own type of furniture. This is following their job in the day-to-day.”
Then, Leitao noted, there were little things that people either had issues with in the old office or wanted to retain in the new one. People used to always complain about lack of access to a conference room, so Leitao and his team put four conference rooms and many more meetings areas, in the new offices.
“And, of course, the City Pub,” Leitao said with a laugh.
The City Pub is where the employees of Orlando City can work, eat, or grab a beer (after 5:00pm, of course). The Pub is also a place where the team can host events or meetings or celebrations. It was a staple of the old office.
“And again, it’s knowing our people, knowing the demographic, knowing what they want,” Leitao said. “So, we did a much better City Pub.”
“I think everyone is pretty happy,” Leitao said.
And he’s not wrong. The new offices are beautiful, fun, and functional. And after the recent move, Orlando City can finally say to their front office staff-- Welcome Home.
