Job Description
Principal, Sport, Athlete & Marketing Communications
Job Title: Principal, Athletes & Sport Partnership Communications
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
You will work across a highly matrixed organization and collaborate with:
- NIKE, Inc. Brand & Corporate Communications teams
- Global Sports Marketing teams
- Global Strategy
- Brand Marketing
- Legal and ZHR Business Affairs
- External athlete representatives and agencies
- Key sport partner communications teams across leagues, teams and federations
- Senior leadership across Global Communications and Sports Marketing
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
At NIKE, the Communications team curates and amplifies the company’s narrative—building powerful relationships, influence, and opportunities through storytelling and experience. The Principal, Athletes & Sport Partnership Communications, will serve as a primary point of contact between Global Communications and Global Sports Marketing, with a focus on turning sport and athlete insights into impactful internal and external storytelling.
This role will work across the Sports Marketing team to identify, elevate and develop athlete-led communications strategies that shape NIKE’s voice across audiences.
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience or training.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in corporate communications, brand storytelling, sports marketing, or PR—preferably with a global brand or agency.
- Strong background in leading integrated communications strategies across sport, culture and brand moments.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate on cross-functional brand campaigns, including storytelling and earned media support.
- Ability to synthesize complex and novel information into clear communications for varied audiences.
- Demonstrated experience solving problems independently and developing innovative, scalable communications solutions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident presenter and executive communicator.
- Strong media relations and message development expertise.
- Recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in brand or athlete communications.
- Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders.
- Experience mentoring or coaching junior team members and fostering talent growth.
- Deep understanding of sport, cultural trends and athlete impact
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
Serve as a core link between Global Communications and Sports Marketing ensuring athlete insights translate into clear, compelling communications strategies.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with communications counterparts across major sports organizations, clubs, and federations—ensuring close alignment on messaging, storytelling opportunities, key sport moments and business activity.
Develop, collaborate and execute communications plans that position athletes and sports partnerships at the center of NIKE’s global storytelling.
Identify and assess risk—collaborating with Legal, Business Affairs, and partner teams to manage emerging issues and safeguard Nike’s reputation.
Navigate complex communications scenarios, including breaking news, sensitive topics, or geopolitical dynamics, with professionalism and precision.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, Business Affairs, Legal, and external partners to ensure alignment on communications strategies.
Represent NIKE, Inc. at athlete and sport moments, managing athlete interviews and providing real-time communications support.
Contribute to team excellence by sharing knowledge and helping build a culture of collaboration and innovation.
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the .
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