Senior Manager, Sports Marketing (Womens Basketball)

Position Overview

At adidas, sport is a powerful platform for connection, culture, and change. We believe in amplifying athletes who shape the future of the game and inspire the next generation.

As Senior Manager, Sports Marketing (Women's Basketball), you will lead the global strategy and execution of the women's basketball athlete portfolio. This role is responsible for identifying, signing, and developing relationships with athletes and brand partners who authentically represent adidas and elevate the brand within the global basketball community.

You will play a critical leadership role in driving awareness, influence, and cultural relevance across women's basketball. By connecting athlete insights with product creation, storytelling, and go to market strategies, you will directly impact adidas share of voice and long term growth within the category.

Key Responsibilities

Global Athlete Strategy Leadership: Develop and drive the global women's basketball athlete and partner strategy, ensuring alignment with brand priorities and long term category growth objectives.

Talent Identification and Pipeline Development: Partner with senior leadership and grassroots teams to scout and identify next generation athletes and brand partners. Maintain a strong pipeline and database of future signing opportunities.

Athlete Signing and Retention: Lead the negotiation, signing, and retention of key athletes, working closely with agents, schools, managers, and internal stakeholders to secure strategic partnerships.

Relationship Management and Athlete Experience: Build and maintain daily relationships with athletes, agents, and management teams, ensuring a premium level of service and strong brand alignment.

Athlete Voice and Insight Integration: Serve as the internal voice of athletes and partners by providing insights to footwear, apparel, and brand teams to inform product creation, testing, launch plans, and category strategy.

Product and Merchandising Execution: Support category initiatives by placing product buys, forecasting distribution, and managing promotional merchandise programs for athletes and partners.

Activation and Brand Execution: Lead and support athlete meetings, appearances, retail activations, and key brand moments to ensure seamless execution and maximum impact.

Operational Program Management: Oversee administrative operations including order tracking, forecasting, budgeting, invoicing, and reporting to ensure accurate and timely execution of athlete programs.

Product Seeding and Consumer Influence: Coordinate on court and off court product distribution aligned with seasonal availability while identifying opportunities to influence consumer purchasing decisions.

Travel and Logistics Coordination: Manage athlete travel arrangements, expense processes, and event participation to support global activations and initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Four year college or university degree with emphasis in marketing, business, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 to 6 years of experience in sports marketing, athlete management, brand marketing, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of the basketball industry, with a focus on women's basketball and cultural landscape.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with athletes, agents, and key stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in fast paced, evolving environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across cross functional teams.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel extensively, with up to 40 percent travel required during peak periods.

Preferred Experience

• Direct experience working within basketball, women's sports, or athlete representation environments.
• Experience supporting global athlete strategies or brand partnership programs.
• Strong understanding of grassroots, collegiate, and professional basketball ecosystems.

Work Environment

Hybrid work model requiring in office attendance Monday through Thursday, with remote flexibility on Fridays based on business needs.

Primary work location is Los Angeles, California.

Working language is English.

Heavy travel may be required during peak seasons, up to 40 percent.

This role operates in a dynamic, fast paced environment with frequent cross functional collaboration, athlete engagement, and event execution.

Reporting Structure

Reports to senior leadership within the Sports Marketing organization.

This role does not include direct people management responsibilities.

Collaborates closely with Product, Brand Marketing, Sports Marketing, Merchandising, and external athlete partners to drive global women's basketball strategy and execution.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $119,000 to $150,000 annually.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, skills, and demonstrated proficiency in the role.

This position is eligible for an annual performance bonus based on company and individual performance.

adidas offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical coverage with HSA or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support.
• Short and long term disability coverage.
• Basic life and AD and D insurance with supplemental options available.
• 401(k) plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
• Education assistance for eligible full time employees.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Flexible time off accrued at 0.4388 hours per day, increasing with tenure.
• Twelve paid holidays plus milestone Service Time Off.
• Access to employee wellness programs and product discounts.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best. We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to build a workforce that reflects the consumers and communities we serve.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.