adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.
 
*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

•    This role plays an instrumental part in the way the Brand is portrayed in association with the Federations/Clubs/Partners and ensures we continue to raise awareness and establish adidas as an authentic sports brand whilst driving key strategic priorities.
•    Co-create and drive the Global Sports Marketing strategy; ensure and execute the implementation of the sports marketing strategy both globally & locally.
•    adidas has always been associated with the best partners and providing the best service. This position relies heavily upon interpersonal skills and relationship building to achieve the highest level servicing to our contractual partners.  

Key Responsibilities: 

•    Have a robust understanding of the Rugby category, its unique complexities/infrastructure and dynamics involving both internal and external stakeholders, including Governing Bodies, Federations, Unions, Clubs, Athletes, Agents and Industry Partners, etc. to provide strategic input and contribute to the Brand’s successful involvement and presence within the category.   
•    Lead and manage key relationships and servicing of our contracted Federations such as New Zealand Rugby. Ensure fulfillment and optimization of all adidas’ contractual obligations ensuring we maximize our rights package and drive commercial opportunity. Oversee and ensure that all product requirements are met in full and on time.
•    Manage and oversee the delivery and implementation of the adidas contractual opportunities and obligations via the New Zealand Rugby contract in order to ensure a delivery against the mid/long term strategy of the partnership and the overall positioning of adidas rugby.
•    To optimize and leverage the relationship between adidas and Federations/Clubs/Athletes, and furthermore to set and implement the mutually agreed local & global strategy, driving return on investment and delivering towards the brands position as the most authentic sports brand.
•    Be the dedicated adidas global sports marketing contact for local sports marketing and product servicing questions. 
•    Support in managing relationship with Key Stakeholders (e.g. World Rugby, WRED, WFSGI, IOC) relating to policy changes, playbook and support in reinforcing branding guidelines are strictly adhered to from the BU’s. 
•    Communicate with the relevant departments (PRS, Product Marketing, SMSU, Merchandising, Global Communications, PR, Athlete Product Excellence, Finance, Legal & Business Affairs, local market contacts) to ensure contractual obligations are maximized and fulfilled.
•    Support and drive the commercial goals by curating and orchestrating the Sports Marketing Promo Catalogue for Rugby for the global and local sports marketing community. 
o    Ensure the relevant product is and forecasted and distributed to our partners for key events and product launches.  
o    Lead the process with PRS, SMSU, Athlete Product Excellence, Global Planning for Global Sports Marketing, creation, planning, execution and tracking of deliveries and timings.
•     Collaborate and advise with the Licensee team and local market contacts to established and build the Rugby licensee Sports Marketing opportunities and agreements.
o    Provide guidance on category landscape and considerations.
o    Review market strategy, partnership opportunities and provide approval and/or feedback in collaboration with Rugby BU
•    Develop a robust rugby sports marketing portfolio strategy aligned to the Brand’s overall portfolio strategy, creating the required KPI’s and implementing across the key markets and local sports marketing teams.
•    Drive, in close collaboration with Specialist Sports Brand Communications team integrated marketing plan(s) on a seasonal basis across channels (product, retail, brand marketing) and the implementation thereof within the GTM process.
•    Drive and ensure the communication and activation of New Zealand Rugby/Athlete related rights and obligations within the adidas global organization and towards the respective key markets.
•    Lead and supervise the dedicated adidas servicing team for Federations/Clubs/Athletes, and ensure a positive, direct and personal relationship to key stakeholders. 
•    Negotiate, secure and manage partners and the Global portfolio, provide athletes and partners day-to-day world class servicing. 
•    Effectively manage and implement budgets.

KPI’s:

•    Driving Sports Marketing strategy to support net sales/profitability
•    Partner activation and commerciality 
•    Driving credibility, sustainability, inclusivity.
•    Realization of contractual rights, including maximization of consumer touchpoints
•    Partner visibility on a global stage. 
•    Driving membership engagement 

Key Relationships: 

•    Key contacts at Federations/Clubs/Athletes/Agents/Industry partners
•    Global and local Sports Marketing adidas network
•    Cross-functional support within adidas Global and local teams (PRS, Product Marketing, SMSU, Merchandising, Global Communications, PR, Athlete Product Excellence, Finance, Legal & Business Affairs)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

The individual must be senior in profile, highly motivated and focused. Extremely well organized with a strong empathy and passion towards Rugby and sports in general. Additionally, the individual must be /possess:

•    Strong interpersonal/communication skills with experience of influencing senior management.
•    Performance-driven
•    Empathetic leader, experienced managing remote team member(s) 
•    Strong anticipation when it comes to problem solving and creative thinking
•    Strong project event management skills
•    Strong market, industry and commercial awareness, including budget management
•    Strong negotiation skills, conflict management and adaptive mindset. 
•    Fluent written and spoken English language skills. Additional European language is a plus.
•    Good to strong presentation skills
•    Attention to detail

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: 

•    University degree in business / marketing
•    Minimum 5-8 years experience working in Marketing, preferably with some experience in Sports Marketing, Sales and/or Account Management
•    PC skills (MS Office programs)