Director Sports Marketing Operations, Basketball

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

NIKE, Inc. exists to innovate for athletes. Nike Sports Marketing professionals provide the vital linkage between the company and Nike-sponsored athletes, clubs and federations worldwide. Sports Marketing employees partner with premier athletes to collect insights about existing and future products, gather inspirational stories about sport and nurture long-term relationships between the athletes and the company. The team develops and executes sports marketing strategies, obtains endorsements and licensing agreements and serves as Nike ambassadors to the sports community worldwide. Their relationships build the foundation of Nike’s product creation: Nike creates exceptional products because its employees listen to exceptional athletes.

Nike exists to innovate for athletes. Nike Sports Marketing professionals provide the vital linkage between the company and Nike-sponsored athletes, clubs and federations worldwide. Sports marketing employees partner with premier athletes, teams, and federations to collect insights about existing and future products, gather inspirational stories about sport, and nurture long-term relationships between the athletes and the company. The team develops and implements sports marketing strategies, obtains endorsements and licensing agreements and serves as Nike ambassadors to the sports community worldwide. Their relationships build the foundation of Nike’s product creation: Nike creates extraordinary products because its employees listen to exceptional athletes.

As part of the North America Basketball Sports Marketing team, the Director of Basketball Operations will lead Product Operations and Account Services for NA Basketball Sports Marketing! We are seeking an experienced people manager who can navigate a portfolio of internal and external relationships to help guide Nike’s strategic investments.

In this position as Director, Sports Marketing Operations for Basketball, you’ll be responsible for a variety of responsibilities including but not limited to: delivery of product, relationship & personnel management, managing and tracking contractual obligations, strategic planning, budget management, end to end supply chain, and highly complex problem solving. More specifically, you’ll assume oversight of the promo outfitting component of our NBA contract, across NBA, WNBA, G-League, and the global League Offices. You'll represent the Sports Marketing function on the Apparel & NBA Leadership teams, while working with your direct team to drive Apparel strategy, innovation, and culture into the way Nike shows up on court. You will oversee a large budget, a high functioning team of seven, and the full slate of inventory & buys across all of Basketball Sports Marketing; while driving strategic decision making that results in more efficient processes, expedited timelines, and overall improved service across the platform of partnerships you're responsible for.

Other responsibilities include: partnering with the Senior Director of Basketball on team deals, and overall service strategy, creating and assisting on high level strategy presentations, maintaining solid working relationships with a variety of internal & external key partners, applying analytics to find efficiencies in processes, working across the full supply chain in an end to end capacity, partnering with cross functional internal partners to ensure all product launches are a comprehensive & coordinated effort across Promo & Retail, using a deep Apparel & Supply Chain understanding to mitigate and solve issues, and ensuring the voice of the athlete is always represented in everything we do.

You will be the primary contact for NBA, WNBA, G-League, and the global League Offices. Internally, you will work with Apparel & NBA Leadership teams. Internally, you will work primarily with our Product Teams, & NBA Leadership teams, Legal as well as our Supply Chain partners.

• Understanding of the legal-SM processes and contract requirements
• Exceptional work ethic with a strong sense of urgency and direction, having the ability to make difficult decisions and have tough conversations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including meeting facilitation and presentations, including PowerPoint presentations, Excel and MS Office experience
• Experience negotiating a range of deals in the sports business landscape
• 7+ years’ navigating a matrix based company to achieve high-level business results for an external partner while providing premium service expectations
• Advanced degree is preferred
• Strong financial skill and the ability to track multiple budgets and cost movement
• 8+ years' experience working alongside an apparel engine as well as College or Pro Equipment Managers & League officials
• Ability to travel 25% of the time
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing or related field
• 6+ years’ successful experience in the Sports Marketing industry, building and maximizing key relationships to drive business strategies
• 7+ years’ expertise building strategic plans for footwear & apparel initiatives through a team, to a strategic on court/on field presence
• Acts with honesty and integrity in business situations.

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.