Job Title: Principal Athletes & Sport Partnership Communications
Department: NIKE Inc. Brand Communications
Reports To: Senior Director Sports Athletes & Marketing Communications
Who We Are Looking For
At NIKE the Communications team curates and amplifies the companys narrativebuilding powerful relationships influence and opportunities through storytelling and experience. The Principal Athletes & Sport Partnership Communications will serve as a primary point of contact between Global Communications and Global Sports Marketing with a focus on turning sport and athlete insights into impactful internal and external storytelling.
This role will work across the Sports Marketing team to identify elevate and develop athlete-led communications strategies that shape NIKEs voice across audiences.
What Youll Work On
Serve as a core link between Global Communications and Sports Marketing ensuring athlete insights translate into clear compelling communications strategies.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with communications counterparts across major sports organizations clubs and federationsensuring close alignment on messaging storytelling opportunities key sport moments and business activity.
Develop collaborate and execute communications plans that position athletes and sports partnerships at the center of NIKEs global storytelling.
Identify and assess riskcollaborating with Legal Business Affairs and partner teams to manage emerging issues and safeguard Nikes reputation.
Navigate complex communications scenarios including breaking news sensitive topics or geopolitical dynamics with professionalism and precision.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Brand Marketing Business Affairs Legal and external partners to ensure alignment on communications strategies.
Represent NIKE Inc. at athlete and sport moments managing athlete interviews and providing real-time communications support.
Contribute to team excellence by sharing knowledge and helping build a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Who Youll Work With
You will work across a highly matrixed organization and collaborate with:
NIKE Inc. Brand & Corporate Communications teams
Global Sports Marketing teams
Global Strategy
Brand Marketing
Legal and ZHR Business Affairs
External athlete representatives and agencies
Key sport partner communications teams across leagues teams and federations
Senior leadership across Global Communications and Sports Marketing
What You Bring
Bachelors degree in Communications Journalism Marketing or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education experience and training
8 years of relevant experience in corporate communications brand storytelling sports marketing or PRpreferably with a global brand or agency.
Strong background in leading integrated communications strategies across sport culture and brand moments.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional brand campaigns including storytelling and earned media support.
Ability to synthesize complex and novel information into clear communications for varied audiences.
Demonstrated experience solving problems independently and developing innovative scalable communications solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident presenter and executive communicator.
Strong media relations and message development expertise.
Recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in brand or athlete communications.
Highly collaborative with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders.
Experience mentoring or coaching junior team members and fostering talent growth.
Deep understanding of sport cultural trends and athlete impact
Why This Role Matters
NIKEs athletes are more than competitorsthey are storytellers cultural icons and sources of this role youll help share those stories with the world. By working across athlete & sport partnership communications youll help ensure Nikes most iconic athletes and sport moments are not only seenbut deeply feltby media employees and consumers across the globe.
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers sign language interpreters accessible and single location for in-person interviews closed captioning and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover as you navigate our application process that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.