If Scottish football has had to negotiate one of the most perilous periods in its history in recent years, then St Mirren can count themselves fortunate to have had general manager Brian Caldwell at the helm to keep them on course.
Caldwell has been in his post since 2007 and has helped the club complete its smooth departure from the old Love Street to the impressive new St Mirren Park.
He has also overseen the development of an efficient infrastructure that includes the club's impressive Ralston training ground.
On top of that, the community orchestrated takeover of the Paisley club has edged ever closer under his watch.
All of which means the pragmatic Caldwell must juggle a variety of roles including football administration, safety, player registra- tion, stadium management, ticketing and community initiatives with amazing mental dexterity.
And with Buddies gaffer Danny Lennon not due back from his summer break in Florida until this weekend, Caldwell has also found himself in constant communication with the manager to progress a string of new signings including Stevie Thompson, Nigel Hasselbaink and Paul McGowan.
However, the general manager says he relishes his many and diverse roles and takes great pride from the club's progress on and off the field of play.
He explained: "I took over as general manger back in July, 2007, having previously, if you like, served a 10-year apprenticeship in the same post at Ayr United.
"I would say that without a doubt this is the busiest period I have known in the job but that is something I enjoy and also proof that we are going in the right direction.
"Obviously the manager is in Florida right now enjoying a well-earned break with his family after a very draining season for him.
"But that does not stop him texting me at 6am Florida time or constantly checking his iPad for the availability of players.
"Obviously we have been very busy on that front with the signings we have made and that is pleasing."
While Lennon has helped the Saints make strides on the pitch, the developments outside the field of play are something from which Caldwell draws great pride.
He said: "There is not a morning that I don't climb the steps in the new ground, and look out at where the old Love Street was, and get a wee glow of satisfaction at how well the move has gone and what a great stadium we now have here at St Mirren.
"The money we got from Tesco for the old ground was invested in the training facility at Ralston we have a tremendous infrastructure that will help us develop our young talent and attract new players. That is vital to the club going forward."
Although the community takeover of the Paisley club has yet to be completed in full, Caldwell believes the involvement of the initiative's leader Richard Atkinson will help ensure that it goes through seamlessly.
He added: "I think the main thing at the club is that we are as well run off and on the field as we can be.
"That will make things easy when the takeover comes to fruition and it will help that Richard has been in and around the club for a while now, and everyone is very comfortable with things."
While Lennon has been busy in the transfer market to safeguard Saints' success in the short-term, Caldwell looks to the club's flourishing youth set-up as an endorsement of their move to set up the Ralston facility.
He said: "If you look at Kenny McLean then he has come through in the last season to establish himself as a first team regular.
"We have lads like the young goalkeeper Adam McHugh, Jamie McKernon and Dominic Kennedy who we signed from our under-19s just recently, who have all benefited directly from Ralston. That will continue.
"I also know how much Ralston played a part in attracting a senior pro like Jim Goodwin to the club."
"The new stadium is back on the original site where St Mirren started out playing back in 1877 and I think that it is very pleasing we are in touch with our community and going forward on the site where it all begun."