Keily Blair, who took the helm as CEO of OnlyFans in July 2023, is turning heads with her fresh perspective on company management. Speaking at the prestigious Web Summit in Lisbon, Blair made it clear that she's not a fan of the traditional "squidgy layer of middle management" that typically bloats large corporations. Instead, Blair is opting for a streamlined approach to staffing, saying goodbye to middle managers altogether.
Blair's decision is facilitated by the relatively small team at OnlyFans, consisting of only 42 employees. This setup allows her to maintain operations without the need for project managers and office administrators, unlike her previous roles at the law firm Orrick and the accounting giant PwC.
“We do not have that squidgy layer of middle management in the middle, because nobody’s ever had a really good middle manager in my experience,” Blair candidly shared.
The approach at OnlyFans is as unique as its content, with Blair focusing on hiring only the most senior or junior talent. "Every hire is very important," Blair explained, emphasizing the need to align each new recruit with the company's substantial revenue goals. With OnlyFans generating a staggering $7 billion in gross revenue from its 400 million users annually, each employee represents a significant piece of the financial puzzle.
Blair's strategy involves keeping things "lean" and scaling up teams with freelancers as needed, before making long-term hires. This means that OnlyFans can remain agile, responsive, and financially efficient.
At OnlyFans, landing a job is no easy feat. Blair seeks individuals who not only possess exceptional skills but also share a genuine belief in the company's mission. "It’s incredibly important for me to understand that the person who I’m looking at hiring really believes the mission," Blair stated, highlighting the emphasis on passion and commitment over mere credentials.
Potential candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the company's goals and articulate why they want to be part of the OnlyFans story. This ensures that the team is composed of individuals who are not just there for the perks, but are committed to driving the company's vision forward.
This refreshing approach to leadership and hiring adds another layer to OnlyFans' unique position in the digital marketplace.