The Director, Global Athlete Marketing is responsible for leading UA’s approach to build a truly global portfolio of athletes and influencers to support the brands growth. This includes working cross functional to fully understand UA’s brand and category direction to ensuring UA makes the most strategic, high ROI partnership investments. The focus of this role will be to ensure our regional Sports Marketing teammates are set up for success by delivering Global Athlete strategic approach, athlete marketing / activation best practices as well as new program creation, ROI / measurement, strong link / management to Human Performance team and regional support.
The Director will provide oversight to regional athlete identification, athlete recruitment, contract negotiations, development of on boarding, servicing approach, long/short term financial planning and global activation aligned with GTM calendar. The Director will work closely with the Global Marketing, Category and Regions in order to meet and exceed business objectives/targets as well as drive brand equity.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Establish global approach to building and activating a portfolio of athletes
Develop UA holistic approach to athletes – criteria, identification, activation, servicing and measurement (etc.)
Responsible to coach regional teams on UA’s approach to building and nurturing relationships with athletes and agents to support our marketing goals and objectives, aligned to the Corporate 5YP.
Identify activation opportunities that can help drive attract and conversion rates which results in revenue growth in a specific category and overall.
Responsible for helping to execute the Sports Marketing Strategy as it relates to a specific category.
Continuously create, enhance and grow external athlete | influencer relationships in order to find opportunities | synergies which could help grow the business.
Develop and deliver strong ROI and measurement tools to teammates and leadership on performance of the portfolio.
As a critical member of the sports marketing leadership team we will look to this director to establish influence, trust across the global marketing team.
Provide support to the Sports Marketing Leadership Team (specifically Director of Sports Marketing) in managing annual (global & regional) budgets in order to achieve financial targets.
Partner with the Brand Category and Regional Marketing Teams on an on-going basis to better understand GTM milestones and determine how Sports Marketing can become more effectively integrated into the overall IMP process.
Responsible for developing, training and supporting regional Athlete Marketing teammates to improve the team and individual contributions.
Oversee the development and maintenance of the Sports Marketing Athlete Portfolio database.
Responsible for helping to build one IMP in partnership with the Brand Category Marketing Team and other cross-functional global marketing teammates. Based on strategic category specific stories for campaign, product or calendar moments, help identify athlete assets that can be leveraged in effective storytelling across regions, categories, touchpoints and athlete asset utilization and activation plans.
Actively participate in cross functional team meetings that are focused on building the Integrated Category Creative Briefs which outlines UA’s detailed consumer journey | activation plans that can be executed in each Region.
Assist the Global Marketing Team stay on-time, on-budget and on-brand as it pertains to the creative development process which includes the identification, securing and scheduling of athlete assets for photo shoots and events.
Implement standard sports marketing best practices
Identify areas to streamline processes
Lead and/or participate in cross functional “ways of working” sessions to increase cross functional engagement and strengthen operating model to be nimble, more effective/efficient. This include newly created initiatives or programs that regions can execute.
Ability to establish relationships at all levels, inclusive of the executive level, in the global marketing industry.
Proven professionalism working with high profile clients and agents.
Communication
Task management
Contract negotiating
Maintain composure in high level stress situations.
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
Outlook Calendar and WebEx Communication
Education And / Or Experience
BA required
MBA preferred, but not mandatory
10+ years of relevant Sports Marketing experience in fast-paced, product-oriented, consumer-driven company.
Prior experience working for a global company with a strong, premium brand and a distinct culture.
Prior experience working with athletes at all levels and influencers.
