Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

To maintain and grow a market-leading, diverse portfolio of partners, athletes, clubs, and federations that support adidas brand and category objectives. This role identifies and activates the right partnerships at key cultural and sporting moments to tell compelling product and brand stories—positioning adidas as the top-of-mind performance brand in the New Zealand market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of the local Sports Marketing Plan in line with business objectives and global Sports Marketing strategy

• Identify market opportunities aligned to Brand objectives and collaborate with Brand Comms to bring them to life across New Zealand

• Build strategic recommendations for, and manage, a diverse partner portfolio that supports key categories and commercial priorities

• Oversee local strategy, access, and execution of the NZR partnership across the Pacific Market

• Ensure all partners consistently reflect adidas brand positioning both on and off the sporting landscape

• Manage contract negotiations in line with budget parameters, market value, and strategic priorities

• Ensure all Sports Marketing contracts and operations comply with global Sports Marketing Policy

• Integrate local partners into key brand initiatives and campaigns

• Develop and deliver best-in-class leveraging plans to maximise partner and brand impact

• Lead, coach, and develop the Sports Marketing team, ensuring alignment to objectives and effective workload management

• Own and manage the local partner budget

• Supervise all local partner-related activities in close collaboration with the Brand team

• Execute a cross-category leveraging approach across the Sports Marketing portfolio

• Deliver industry-leading day-to-day service to contracted partners

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders

• Ensure teams and partners wear and represent adidas products in line with Brand Plans, reinforcing adidas as the leading performance brand

• Provide on-the-ground support for ad hoc Sports Marketing activity as required

Key Relationships:

• Local: Brand Marketing, CTC, Digital, Customer Service, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain
• Global: Sports Marketing, adidas Rugby BU
• External: Athletes, Teams, Federations, Agents

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong negotiation and commercial decision-making skills

• Strategic marketing experience with excellent interpersonal and influencing capabilities

• Deep understanding of the New Zealand sporting landscape

• Established relationships within the sports industry

• Proven Sports Marketing experience

• Ability to work at pace, multitask, and manage competing priorities

• Strong planning and strategic development skills

• High level of commercial and business acumen within sports marketing

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in Marketing or a related field

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the sports marketing industry

• Established industry network with demonstrated stakeholder management success