Lead Professional, Sports Marketing Running Track & Field, Japan

WHO YOULL WORK WITH

This role will report to the Sports Marketing Director in Tokyo Japan work alongside the broader Sports Marketing team and partner closely with the Global Sports Marketing team. Additionally you will collaborate with Brand Marketing Social & Community Impact (SCI) Communications Nike Direct Digital Commerce (NDDC) Nike Direct Stores and Partner Sales to ensure Sports Marketing efforts align with brand and business objectives. Externally you will work with athletes agents coaches federations and team personnel among others.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As part of Nike Japans evolving Sports Marketing team this role plays a pivotal part in advancing the strategic vision for Running Track & Field. Aligned with Nikes global transformation the position focuses on deepening integration across athlete services innovation and brand storytelling.

This role will serve as a key connector between global strategy and local executionensuring that Japan-specific insights and cultural relevance are embedded in all initiatives. This includes elevating athlete service driving athlete integration and shaping a compelling and competitive portfolio across both professional and amateur categories.

• Minimum 8 years of proven experience in Sports Marketing Brand Marketing or a closely related field.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent.
• Strong relationship-building skills with athletes coaches agents and industry stakeholders.
• Experience in portfolio management critical thinking and negotiation.
• Deep understanding of Japanese sports culture with the ability to craft locally resonant narratives.
• Strong knowledge of the sports landscape across channels particularly in Running Track & Field.

• Demonstrated ability to translate athlete and industry insights into actionable sport marketing strategies.
• Familiarity with Nikes sports and brand marketing functions is preferred.

• Strong oral and written communication skills (in both English and Japanese).

• Strategic thinker with a proactive entrepreneurial approach to driving business impact. Ability to operate with clarity and agility in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Inclusive adaptable and solutions-oriented team player with a can-do attitude. Technical Proficiency Proficiency in MS Office Keynote and internal Nike systems.

WHAT YOULL WORK ON

Your work revolves around the 3S 1L framework: Seek Sign Serve and Leverage. Guided by the global strategy of the Global Running Track & Field Sports Marketing team you are constantly on the lookout for players who can drive business impact both locally and globally. Your mission is to identify talent with the potential to become future national heroesindividuals you can grow with and support throughout their journey. Through this you not only build strong athlete relationships but also help elevate the brands presence and relevance in the Running Track & Field world.

Detail of the key responsibilities are as follows:

• Proactively cultivate and maintain strong networks with athletes amatur athletes coaches agents teams and internal stakeholders across Sports Marketing Brand Marketing SCI Communications NDDC Nike Direct Stores and Partner Sales teams.
• Lead athlete experiences and activations especially in areas without direct brand support using creative and resourceful approaches.
• Develop and execute athlete integration plans that align with Nikes seasonal brand priorities and storytelling moments.
• Lead talent identification invest/divest decisions and endorsement contract negotiations to shape a competitive athlete portfolio.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure athlete partnerships support product business and marketplace strategies.
• Leverage performance data and market insights to inform decisions and measure impact.
• Ensure all athlete engagements comply with internal policies and external regulations.
• Manage promo product order/delivery based on key look and needs of the athletes every season
• Maintain accurate athlete data manage system updates and oversee budget forecasting and reporting.
• Provide regular updates to Japan and Global Sports Marketing leadership on athlete performance and partnership health
• Demonstrate a collaborative growth-oriented mindset with a passion for sport and a commitment to Nikes values.