NIKE, Inc

Senior Principal, North America Media Relations, NYC

NIKE, Inc • $163K — $345K *
Media
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Media Relations, Communications, Business, or related field; equivalent experience accepted.
  • 10+ years in high-profile media relations or corporate communications for global brands.
  • Extensive network across North American media and influential voices in sport and culture.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Strong editorial judgment with a track record of securing meaningful media coverage.
  • Deep understanding of the evolving media landscape, including digital and social platforms.
  • Experience using audience insights and cultural intelligence to inform strategies.

Responsibilities

  • Lead media relations strategies for Nike's North America priorities.
  • Transform business and brand objectives into compelling narratives.
  • Cultivate relationships with established and emerging media voices.
  • Balance proactive media strategies with timely cultural opportunities.
  • Contribute to planning from insight development to execution and measurement.
  • Provide senior-level counsel and manage agency partnerships.
  • Ensure clarity and consistency across communications efforts.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday policies.
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Access to employee discounts on Nike products.
  • Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $163,500.00 in our lowest geographic market to $345,100.00 in our highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

Information about benefits can be found here.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for a Senior Principal of Media Relations, North America who can lead with speed and strong strategic instincts in a high-volume, constantly evolving environment. This person will shape audience-right media strategies and breakthrough storytelling that strengthen Nike's leadership in sport and culture, reach new audiences and build lasting influence for the brand.

This is a media relations leader with deep experience navigating the North American media landscape and a strong, active network across traditional media, new media, creators and other influential voices. They know how to build trusted relationships, identify the right messenger for each story and translate access, insight and narrative into meaningful coverage, conversation and advocacy.

The ideal candidate is a decisive, highly organized operator who can manage multiple priorities at once, move seamlessly between long-range strategy and real-time execution and maintain excellence under pressure. They bring a narrative-first mindset, strong editorial judgment and the ability to uncover stories, build compelling worlds around them and sustain momentum beyond a single announcement or launch.

This leader will champion North America's media relations strategy, and will use insights, social listening and on-the-ground intelligence to shape conversations, identify emerging opportunities and connect Nike's priorities to the people and communities influencing sport and culture.

Successful candidates will be proactive, collaborative and solutions oriented, with the confidence to advise senior leaders, align cross-functional teams and agency partners and make clear decisions amid ambiguity. They will bring curiosity, cultural fluency, a passion for sport and an instinct for what makes a story credible, relevant and worth sharing.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

You will lead media relations strategies for Nike's North America priorities, with responsibility for turning business, brand, product, athlete and sport objectives into clear narratives and compelling stories. You will work across written, oral, visual, digital and experiential communications to ensure each priority begins with an audience insight and a strong narrative, not simply a launch plan.

You will build relationship-powered influence and develop influence maps, cultivating both established and emerging voices, creating differentiated engagement strategies and designing access and experiences that deepen understanding, generate advocacy and sustain conversation over time.

You will operate across multiple workstreams at pace, balancing proactive priorities with timely cultural, media and reputation opportunities. You will contribute at every stage of planning, from insight and narrative development through execution and measurement, while providing senior-level counsel, preparing and staffing spokespeople, managing agency partners and helping the broader communications team move with clarity, consistency and impact.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You will work closely with communications peers across consumer, product, brand, corporate and employee communications, as well as Nike's integrated, brand and sports marketing teams. You will partner with global and geography communications teams, senior leaders, athletes, designers, collaborators and external agency partners. As a key member of the North America media relations team, you will help connect strategy and execution across the matrix and represent the needs, insights and opportunities of the North American media landscape.

WHAT YOU BRING
  • Bachelor's degree in Media Relations, Communications, Business or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
  • 10+ years of professional experience in fast-paced, high-profile media relations, corporate communications or public relations roles supporting global brands.
  • Extensive media relations experience and a strong, active network of relationships across North American media, storytellers, creators and influential voices in sport, business, culture, lifestyle and consumer media.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, prioritize effectively, meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.
  • Proven experience developing narrative-first, audience-right media strategies that translate business and brand priorities into relevant stories, experiences and sustained conversation.
  • Strong editorial judgment and a track record of identifying timely opportunities, shaping compelling pitches and securing meaningful earned coverage and advocacy.
  • Deep understanding of the evolving media ecosystem, including social, digital, print, broadcast, podcasts, newsletters, creator platforms and AI-powered discovery.
  • Experience using audience insights, data, social listening and cultural intelligence to inform communications strategy and real-time decision-making.
  • Excellent strategic planning, issues management, budgeting, agency management and project leadership skills.
  • Proven ability to influence and align senior leaders, peers and cross-functional partners across a complex global and regional matrix.
  • Experience counseling, media training and staffing senior executives, athletes, designers, collaborators and other spokespeople.
  • Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead ideation, bringing creative, innovative and business-minded communications solutions forward at the concept stage.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and communicate with clarity, confidence and precision.
  • High cultural fluency and curiosity, with a strong understanding of sport, style, footwear, apparel, entertainment and popular culture.
  • Experience working on high-profile consumer brands; company or agency spokesperson experience preferred.

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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