Senior Manager, NA Media Relations, Basketball

Senior Manager, North America Media Relations

Nike North America Communications New York, NY

Become a part of the NIKE, Inc. team. NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the worlds best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Nike, its about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

At Nike, the Global Communications function is responsible for creating authentic connections with audiences around the globe through sport and athletes. We are a community-minded and purpose-driven team focused on delivering breakthrough innovative brand stories. Together, we inspire action, drive conversation, craft new and engaging ways to motivate athletes and communities, and protect our corporate reputation and Nikes brand equity.

Who We Are Looking For

Were looking for a Senior Manager of Media Relations, North America who will be responsible for media engagement and building audience-right media strategies, and creating and leading engaging communications storytelling and experiences to help Nike reach new audiences and amplify the brands reach.

This role is responsible for media relations and communications with audiences and communities across the United States and Canada, with a sharp focus on basketball, carving resonant storytelling and influence for the Nike brand. In addition to building cut-through media strategies, the role will help lead, redefine, cultivate, and develop expressions of sport and style that challenge convention and permeate culture in new and inventive ways. The output of this work should ignite purposeful conversations around Nikes most powerful basketball stories and help build new, innovative and creative networks. This person will also be responsible for cultivating a forward-looking approach to communications strategies that leverage the ever-changing media and highly engaged consumer landscape. The candidate would benefit having a passion for sport, an ability to deliver new ways of thinking, and a desire to deepen and evolve Nikes sport-culture relationship with media and consumers. The individual should be proactive, creative, and solutions oriented. Being culturally curious, sport obsessed, having an eye for design and trends, and an appreciation for art and understanding of popular culture is a must. Successful candidates will bring a positive, team-oriented mindset, be curious, have strong strategic instincts and exceptional relationship skills, and be able to handle ambiguity to work across a global, corporate matrix.

What You Will Work On

Our work encompasses written, oral, visual, and digital communication. We focus on information and connection what is created and how it is managed, distributed and consumed to accelerate brand growth. Our audiences include athletes, business partners, consumers, employees, catalysts, collaborators, institutions, retailers, investors, media, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). We work across North America and the globe to drive energy through inspiration, innovation and growth stories centered around sport and athletes. We are looking for individuals with the ability to expand the boundaries of communications and define the future, and who can connect, influence and deliver new levels of creative and strategic thinking. As a member of the media relations team youll contribute at every stage of the planning process and help shape the direction of the broader communications teams work from the beginning to ensure that strategy and execution move together as part of one integrated approach.

Who You Will Work With

Youll work closely with communications peers across the consumer, product, brand and employee functions, as well as in partnership with Nikes integrated, brand and sports marketing teams. The individual will also contribute to global and regional media events when necessary, as well as support, media train, and staff Nike spokespeople (designers, athletes, catalysts, collaborators, and etc.) where relevant. This role is part of the NA media relations team, an extension of the North America communications team.

What You Bring

Bachelors degree in Media Relations, Communications, Business or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training

5+ years professional experience in fast-paced, high-profile corporate communications or public relations roles supporting global brand organizations

Knowledge of North American and international media landscape and thorough knowledge of the needs of different media and communication tools for social, digital, print and broadcast

Management skills including high-profile communications, strategic planning, budgeting, creative solutions, and agency management, with additional experience in developing proactive, creative communications, and extensive communications strategies

Proven ability to communicate plans across a complex matrix on a corporate, regional and functional basis

Experience initiating and driving the ideation process to contribute meaningful, innovative strategies to the business at concept stage

High aptitude for creative thinking balanced against bottom line business needs

Successful experience working effectively with senior leaders and management, and a proven ability to provide guidance and direction to peers

Interest in and knowledge of footwear or apparel industry

Proven cultural acuity and ability to work across large, diverse teams

High taste level and natural aptitude for current trends in popular culture

Strong written and oral English skills required; knowledge of second language is beneficial

Experience working on high profile consumer brands