Collingwood has named ex-Swans footy boss Charlie Gardiner as its new head of football as part of the Magpies’ off-field revamp.

Gardiner will step into Collingwood’s vacant footy manager role that’s been without a permanent head since Graham Wright left the club for arch rival Carlton following his sabbatical this year.

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Gardiner beat out ex-Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell and Adelaide list boss Justin Reid for the role.

It completes Collingwood’s off-field shake up following the departures of longtime recruiting manager Derek Hine as well as Brendon Bolton, who helped fill the the Pies’ vacant footy boss role this year.

Gardiner, who’d reportedly been in talks with Melbourne about its CEO vacancy, will begin at the Pies in the new year. The former Geelong and St Kilda player leaves Sydney after six seasons including moving back to Melbourne this year for family reasons while still working in the Swans’ legal department.

“I am excited to join Collingwood, a club with such rich history and passionate supporter base,” Gardiner said.

“I look forward to getting to know the people that make up this club and build on what is already a strong and well-placed football program and hopefully contribute to future success.

“Finally, I’m grateful to Sydney and everyone at the Swans for the journey over the past six years — I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of the staff and players.”

The Pies on Tuesday also confirmed Trevor Hendy as head of their leadership program and Richard Little in a strategic role as list and recruiting analyst.

Little’s appointment comes part of Collingwood’s list management restructure under new list boss Justin Leppitsch, who spearheaded his first trade and draft periods after transitioning out of Craig McRae’s coaching team.

Collingwood recruiter Adam Shepard is the favourite to fill Hine’s recently vacated role.

Hine worked in Collingwood’s recruiting team during a successful run spanning over two decades — winning two premierships in 2010 and 2023 among 13 finals series including nine preliminary finals.

He’s responsible for the Pies drafting club champions Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom as well as stars like Dale Thomas, Dayne Beams, Brodie Grundy, Brayden Maynard and Jordan De Goey plus father-son guns Darcy Moore and Nick Daicos.

Hine first took over as Collingwood’s head recruiter in 2004 during a period Mick Malthouse was senior coach and Neil Balme was football manager.

“Thank you to everyone at Collingwood, past and present, for the privilege to serve this club for over 20 years,” Hine said last week.

“It has been an incredibly enjoyable period of my life and I leave Collingwood with many cherished memories and lifelong friends. I particularly want to acknowledge all the part-time recruiters who have worked in our talent program with over the journey who continue to work tirelessly to identify players across the country.

“I don’t take for granted how much the club means to its members and supporters and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”

In other movement within the coaching ranks, Collingwood welcomed back Matthew Boyd after a two-year stint at Fremantle as an assistant.

The Pies are also set to be on the search for a new president, with Jeff Browne to step down at the end of the year to focus on his health.