NIKE, Inc

Lead, Strategy Manager, Basketball/Kobe

NIKE, Inc • $130K — $155K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Applied Science, or related field; Master’s preferred.
  • 5+ years in corporate strategy, management consulting, investment banking, or related fields.
  • Proven experience leading strategic projects with a methodical problem-solving approach.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Exceptional analytical, communication, and storytelling skills.
  • Experience in consumer-facing industries like apparel, footwear, or sports is preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of building trust across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

  • Direct and execute analysis for growth opportunities leading to actionable recommendations.
  • Lead strategic project workstreams, pushing beyond analytics to actionable insights.
  • Catalyze execution of actionable plans with senior leaders and functional teams.
  • Align senior teams through ambiguity, providing project management support to cross-functional efforts.
  • Collaborate with teams to prepare business reviews and materials for strategic workshops.
  • Drive integrated actions that align Nike Inc. with modern athlete and consumer needs.
  • Identify and shape future growth opportunities through long-range planning.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work at a globally recognized brand in sports and innovation.
  • Collaborative work environment with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Chances to influence strategic direction and business growth directly.
  • Access to Nike's extensive resources and professional development opportunities.
  • Engagement in high-stakes projects within a complex organization.
Full Job Description
Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a Lead, Strategy Manager who will work with the Director of Basketball Strategy and executive Basketball/Kobe leadership to develop and implement Nike Basketball's global long-term strategy, identify and evaluate critical strategic priorities, and catalyze action against these priorities through business planning processes. Nike Basketball is the team that sets the pace for WNBA/NBA partnerships, Kobe brand, signature Basketball athletes, and global Basketball holistically.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional strategic thinker, problem solver, and collaborator who thrives in ambiguity and is energized by helping leaders make critical decisions. This person will bring a balance of analytical rigor, business acumen, and communication excellence to influence the future direction of one of Nike's most important and visible dimensions. This role will:
  • Direct & execute analysis and due diligence for new growth opportunities, leading to actionable recommendations
  • Lead strategic project workstreams leveraging sound hypotheses and rigorous frameworks, pushing beyond analytics & research to insight
  • Catalyze the execution of actionable plans with senior leaders and their functional teams
  • Align and lead senior teams through ambiguity in a complex organizational matrix, providing project management support to cross-functional teams, including coordinating process milestones and deliverables
  • Collaborate with various cross-functional teams throughout the business to prepare business reviews, scorecards, and materials for strategic workshops


What You Will Work On

As a Lead, Basketball/Kobe Strategy, you will support Nike's Senior Leadership Team, partnering heavily with Finance, Insights & Analytics, Corporate Development & other cross-functional Strategy teams, help lead the strategic planning process, develop strategic recommendations, and serve as a trusted thought partner to senior leaders on the most important opportunities and challenges facing the business. You will independently lead cross-functional teams and strategic initiatives through three primary bodies of work:

  • Building Integrated Growth Plans: Drive integrated actions that help Nike Inc. win with athletes* and consumers while delivering sustainable growth. Partner with leaders to answer complex strategic questions, align and mobilize cross-functional teams around shared priorities, and translate long-term strategies into actionable plans that accelerate business and organizational impact.
  • Developing Future Strategies: Identify and shape Nike Inc.'s next growth opportunities beyond the core business. Through long-range planning and strategic exploration, develop frameworks, insights, and recommendations that help leaders evaluate emerging trends, unlock new growth vectors, and make informed choices about where Nike should invest for the future.
  • Assessing Impact: Measure progress against strategic priorities and help leaders focus resources on the highest-impact opportunities. Diagnose performance, identify key learnings, develop KPIs, and communicate clear recommendations that strengthen decision-making, improve execution, and drive continuous improvement over time.


What You Bring to Nike

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Applied Science or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
  • Masters degree preferred
  • 5+ years of experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, investment banking, corporate finance, business operations, business development, corporate development, or a related field
  • Experience in leading sophisticated strategic projects and proven success in leading a methodical process of analyzing problems, gathering information, generating options, then proposing and acting on a course of action
  • Proven success influencing cross-functional teams and stakeholders without direct authority
  • Consistent track record of pulling together diverse individuals with different goals and facilitating productive discussions
  • Strong understanding of growth strategy, business performance, and value creation within consumer-facing industries
  • Experience in apparel, footwear, retail, consumer products, sports, or adjacent industries preferred
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to create structure from ambiguity and synthesize large amounts of information into actionable insights
  • Outstanding communication and written / verbal storytelling capabilities, with the ability to simplify complexity and influence executive audiences
  • Bias towards action and comfortable working in ambiguity, and ability to work through complexity and adversity
  • Advanced presentation and business communication skills, including proficiency with Keynote and other presentation tools
  • Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational pragmatism and execution focus
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of building trust and credibility across diverse teams and leadership levels
  • Curiosity, demonstrated learning agility, and a growth mindset
  • Passion for sport, athletes, consumers, and products a plus
  • Business development, quantitative & qualitative acumen
  • Strategic planning
  • Project management in a cross-functional, global matrix environment

About NIKE, Inc

Nike is a sporting goods company that designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company offers various categories of shoes including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and kids' shoes. It also provides shoes for aquatic activities, baseball, football, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and various athletic and recreational uses. In addition, the company offers sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items. Further, it provides a line of performance equipment including bags, socks, sports balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and various equipment designed for sports activities under the NIKE brand name, as well as markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Additionally, it offers licenses to produce and sell NIKE brand swimwear, children's apparel, training equipment, eyewear, electronic devices, and golf accessories. The company also markets its products under the brand names of Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Umbro, Jack Purcell, Cole Haan, Bragano, and Hurley. It sells its products to retail accounts through stores, independent distributors, and licensees, as well as through its Website, nikestore.com. As of May 31, 2009, Nike, Inc. operated 338 retail stores in the United States and 336 retail stores internationally. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Nike Careers

Join the dynamic world of Nike, Inc., a global leader in sports apparel and innovation, where your career can flourish in an environment that fosters diversity, leadership, and growth. At Nike, we believe in bringing out the best in our team members through continuous professional development and a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. Work You’ll Do Become a part of Nike’s mission to inspire and innovate towards a better world. Engage in work that intersects with cutting-edge technology, market-leading strategies, and sustainable practices that define the future of the sports industry. Lead with us at the forefront of the global marketplace, where your skills in leadership, teamwork, and innovation can shine. Nike offers a unique position in the industry, combining deep industry expertise with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals who are pioneers in their fields. Nike, Inc. employs over 75,000 passionate and talented individuals worldwide, all dedicated to moving the world of sports forward. Introducing Nike’s Professional Growth and Development Opportunities We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can succeed. Nike offers a variety of job opportunities, from in-store retail positions to corporate roles in design, marketing, and technology. Do Innovative Work Join us and contribute to our mission of bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.) Deliver targeted solutions and drive innovation through your unique perspective and skills. At Nike, Inc., your work directly contributes to our global impact. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that connects with consumers and impacts millions worldwide. Our team benefits from unparalleled capabilities, a commitment to diversity training, and a culture that encourages professional growth and networking. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Nike’s comprehensive benefits and support systems. We provide extensive training, development programs, and leadership courses to help you reach your full potential. Explore Discover how Nike is leading in sustainable innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports industry. The Nike Employment Experience Our combined efforts in innovation, culture, and leadership make Nike, Inc. not just a place to work, but a place to grow a rewarding career. Clients and employees alike look to Nike for new strategies and impactful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, creative, and solution-oriented team players. SEARCH NIKE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Nike, Inc.
Learn more about NIKE, Inc
Size
73,300 employees
Market Cap
$184.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.8 billion
Founded
1964
5 Year Trend
+6.3%
Revenue
$38.2 billion
NASDAQ

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