NIKE, Inc

Senior Principal, Sports Marketing Investments

NIKE, Inc$150K — $180K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 9+ years of experience in Sports Marketing, athlete or partner development, management consulting, or business development.
  • Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives from definition through execution.
  • Strong analytical skills with a focus on investment economics and forecasting.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and deliver complex partnership and investment opportunities for key Sports Marketing relationships.
  • Develop innovative frameworks to enhance traditional sponsorship into equity partnerships and joint ventures.
  • Evaluate and strengthen Nike's sports relationship ecosystem for increased engagement and long-term value.
  • Collaborate with various departments to track project progress and ensure execution aligned with decisions.
  • Define success metrics, manage risk, and adjust strategies to optimize outcomes.

Benefits

  • High degree of autonomy in a dynamic working environment.
  • Opportunity to impact critical partnerships at Nike and reshape the sports marketing landscape.
  • Exposure to senior leadership and broader industry networks.
  • Work with a team that prioritizes relationship-building, rigor, and creativity.
Full Job Description
The Sports Marketing team helps shape and advance Nike's next generation of athlete, team, league, and sport ecosystem partnerships - identifying new ways to deepen relationships, unlock innovation, and create long-term value for Nike and our partners. We are looking for a team member to partner on the development of high-priority Sports Marketing partnership opportunities, working closely with Sports Marketing Leadership, Geographies, and cross-functional partners to build modern partnership models that extend beyond traditional sponsorship and turn bold ideas into action. WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH You will work at the center of Nike's Sports Marketing ecosystem, collaborating with: - Global and Geography Sports Marketing Leadership Teams - Athlete Development & Services and sport-focused teams - Partners across Finance, Legal, Corporate Development, Consumer, Product, Marketplace, Brand, and Operations - Athletes, agents, teams, leagues, advisors, operators, and external investment partners This role serves as a trusted thought partner to leaders responsible for Nike's most important sports relationships and the new partnership opportunities that can strengthen them for the future. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are seeking a highly capable Sports Marketing leader to help define and deliver Nike's approach to athlete, team, league, and sport ecosystem investments. This role is ideal for a leader who combines rigorous problem-solving and commercial judgment with strong relationship instincts, and who is motivated by creating new partnership models that deliver meaningful value for Nike and our partners. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical rigor, clear judgment, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders while leading complex, cross-functional work. They understand that the strongest opportunities start with the relationship and know how to translate athlete and partner ambition into actionable opportunities with clear strategic, financial, and relationship value. Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training. - 9+ years of directly relevant work experience, e.g.: Sports Marketing, athlete or partner development, corporate/business-unit strategy, management consulting, corporate development, business development, or investment. - Demonstrated experience leading complex strategic or partnership initiatives from opportunity definition through executive decision-making and execution support. Preferred Requirements - MBA or equivalent advanced degree. - Experience working in, or directly with, global, matrixed organizations. - Familiarity with the sports ecosystem and consumer, retail, or brand-led businesses. - Demonstrated success leading teams and influencing senior stakeholders. - Experience developing and implementing partnership, investment, or strategic processes and frameworks. - Excellent communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills. - Experience managing multiple opportunities, portfolios, or initiatives, and operating in a role that requires balancing diverse stakeholder needs and delivering tailored solutions. - Strong storytelling ability through both written and verbal communication, as well as presentation-building and presenting skills. - Strong analytical skills and comfort with business cases, investment economics, modeling, and forecasting. WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON As a Senior Principal on the Sports Marketing Investments team, you will lead and contribute to Nike's highest-priority athlete, team, league, and sport ecosystem opportunities, including: Lead Sports Marketing Investment Opportunities: Partner on the delivery of complex partnership and investment opportunities tied to Nike's most important Sports Marketing relationships and priorities. Define scope, structure analyses, partner across cross-functional teams, assess relationship and financial value, and synthesize recommendations for leadership. Build the Future of Sports Partnerships: Develop frameworks, insights, and opportunity scenarios that help Nike move beyond traditional sponsorship into equity partnerships, joint ventures, athlete ventures, and other emerging models. Identify opportunities to create deeper alignment, stronger retention, and more compounded long-term value with Nike's most important partners. Strengthen Nike's Sport Relationship Ecosystem: Evaluate opportunities through the lens of athlete and partner engagement, relationship value, strategic learning, activation efficiency, economic benefit, and alignment with Nike's priority sport ecosystems. Protect relationship dynamics while helping Nike identify where it can uniquely create and capture value. Drive Alignment and Execution: Partner with Sports Marketing, Finance, Legal, Corporate Development, and other cross-functional teams to move opportunities from concept through diligence, decision, and execution. Help define success metrics, create roadmaps, track progress, manage risk, and adjust course as needed to ensure impact and accountability. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ROLE - Work on some of the most important athlete, team, league, and sport ecosystem opportunities facing Nike. - Help shape the future of Sports Marketing partnerships and investment at Nike. - Gain exposure and influence across a global organization and the broader sports industry. - Operate with high autonomy and high expectations. - See your work directly strengthen important relationships and shape real decisions and outcomes. - Join a small, high-caliber team that values relationships, rigor, curiosity, creativity, and impact.

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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