Sports Marketing Manager

Purpose & overall relevance to the organisation:

• Overall responsibility, strategic, operational and holistic partner management within Sports Marketing Football.

• Responsible for sustainable development and growth of selected football partner(s) in Poland by establishing, growing and maintaining critical relationships.

• Analysis and strategic evaluation of selected football partner(s) in relation to brand targets and business relevance.

• Vision, creation and management of a set-up and framework that optimally addresses the specifications of partner(s).

• Ensuring best in class product development and on time product deliveries to serve our partners above market standards.

• Continuous development of the business with our key football partner(s) to grow market share and Net Sales and support the overall success of the category.

• Creating activation opportunities of existing and new football partner(s) by and in collaboration with other marketing and sales functions in adidas.

• Identifying new investment areas within football category and specifically around selected partner (s).

• Being the No1 point of contact for all topics related to at least one of our biggest football brand partners (internal and external stakeholders)

Responsibilities:

• Understanding business and brand goals of the category/market and identifying how selected football partner(s) can help in achieving them.

• With the support of Senior Manager, establishing vision and ambition for partner(s) integration with adidas and it’s short-, mid-, and long-term development in the areas of brand and business opportunities.

• Defining products and collections promoted by the partner(s); in close collaboration with Go-To-Market Football, Brand Communications and Sales teams.

• Ownership of product planning, forecasting, tracking, product ordering to ensure on-time/in-full delivery of products to our Brand Partners at the right place and right time to support the business.

• Driving opportunities with Global Sport Mktg, Merchandising Brand Comms, to activate assets at global platforms, and using new business opportunities nationally, internationally and globally.

• Designing and developing annual partner activation plan based on brand calendar, key product launches and consumer relevant moments (events, seasonality).

• Making use of activation of our partners and rights packages to promote adidas brand and key products.

• Developing business growth plan with the partner and our Sales team to develop a clear profitable growth journey for the football category and a halo effect on other business units (i.e. Lifestyle)

• As a brand ambassador, show and represent the brand with integrity, persuasive power and absolute professionalism.

• If necessary, responsible for the smooth and seamless Contract Approval process.

• Managing budget in line with the process, and in collaboration with finance and accounting.

• Accompanying the partner and being the No 1 point of contact onsite during national and international travels of the partner.

Main contacts:

• Local: Sports Marketing, Brand Communications, Omnichannel, Finance/Controlling, Legal, Sales, Accounting, GTM.

• Global: Sports Marketing of the respective Business Units/Categories, BUs, Legal.

• External: Partner(s), Agencies, Football network, sponsor family.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Deep understanding and knowledge of the football industry.

• Ability to think holistically and strategically about partner management.

• Business experience in Sales or product management to develop a growth plan with our partner.

• Very strong communication and presentation skills.

• Very strong interpersonal skills (including negotiation, influence, persuasiveness, relationship management, empathy, openness, flexibility).

• Mental flexibility and high level of creativity and ability to work in fast-paced environment.

• Strong knowledge of data analysis, business planning and strategic planning/development.

• Fluent in English and Polish.

• Flexible in travel to accompany the partner several times a year on travel and national/international stages.

Required training and experience/minimum requirements:

• University degree in business administration with a focus on sports management.

• 5-8 years’ experience in Sports Marketing/Sponsoring/Product Marketing or Brand Communication.

• Work experience in the East Europe Sports Marketing scene will be additional benefit.

• Strong leadership capabilities.