ST KILDA has promoted Chris Liberatore to be its national recruiting manager as it finalises its football department structure for 2018.

Liberatore has been a key member of the Saints' recruiting team since 2011 but has been elevated to the position ahead of this season. He had previously managed the Victorian region of St Kilda's scouting.  

Tony Elshaug remains head of the department as list and recruiting manager, a dual role he has held for the past three seasons having previously been national recruiting manager.  

The highly regarded Liberatore is the older half-brother of Western Bulldogs premiership midfielder Tom and was part of the Saints' recruiting group who decided on Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield last year with the club's pair of top-10 picks. 

The club has confirmed Clark will make his senior debut in its season opening game against Brisbane on Saturday at Etihad Stadium. 

St Kilda has had change within its football department over the off-season, with former AFL executive Simon Lethlean appointed to be the new Saints' football manager.

The club was also a part of the merry-go-round in recruiting positions, with former scout Mark Smart leaving for a position at Hawthorn.