Purpose and overall relevance to the organisation
Overall responsibility for strategic, operational and holistic partner management within Sports Marketing Football. Responsible for the sustainable development and growth of selected football partners in Poland by establishing, growing and maintaining critical relationships.
Analyse and strategically evaluate selected football partners in relation to brand targets and business relevance. Create and manage a framework that addresses partner specifications, ensuring best-in-class product development and on-time product deliveries. Continuously develop the business with key football partners to grow market share and net sales and support the overall success of the category.
Create activation opportunities with existing and new football partners in collaboration with other adidas marketing and sales functions. Identify new investment areas within the football category and around selected partners. Serve as the primary point of contact for topics related to at least one of adidas's biggest football brand partners.
Responsibilities
- Understand business and brand goals and identify how selected football partners can help achieve them.
- Establish the vision and ambition for partner integration with adidas and its short-, mid- and long-term development.
- Define products and collections promoted by partners in collaboration with Go-To-Market Football, Brand Communications and Sales teams.
- Own product planning, forecasting, tracking and ordering to ensure on-time, in-full delivery to brand partners.
- Drive opportunities with Global Sports Marketing, Merchandising and Brand Communications to activate assets on global platforms.
- Design and develop annual partner activation plans based on the brand calendar, product launches and consumer-relevant moments.
- Use partner activations and rights packages to promote the adidas brand and key products.
- Develop a business growth plan with partners and the Sales team for profitable football-category growth and halo effects on other business units.
- Represent the brand with integrity, persuasive power and professionalism.
- Manage the contract approval process where necessary.
- Manage budgets in collaboration with Finance and Accounting.
- Accompany partners and act as the primary on-site contact during national and international travel.
Main contacts
Local contacts include Sports Marketing, Brand Communications, Omnichannel, Finance/Controlling, Legal, Sales, Accounting and GTM. Global contacts include Sports Marketing, business units, categories and Legal. External contacts include partners, agencies, the football network and the sponsor family.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Deep understanding of the football industry.
- Ability to think holistically and strategically about partner management.
- Business experience in Sales or product management to develop a growth plan with partners.
- Very strong communication, presentation, interpersonal, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
- Mental flexibility, creativity and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong knowledge of data analysis, business planning and strategic planning and development.
- Fluency in English and Polish.
- Flexibility to travel several times a year with partners nationally and internationally.
Required training and experience
- University degree in business administration with a focus on sports management.
- 5–8 years of experience in Sports Marketing, Sponsoring, Product Marketing or Brand Communication.
- Experience in the Eastern European Sports Marketing scene is an additional benefit.
- Strong leadership capabilities.
Culture and inclusion
adidas fosters an athlete's mindset through courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, respect and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.