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Job Title: Principal,** **Athletes & Sport Partnership** **Communications

Department: NIKE, Inc. Brand Communications

Reports To: Senior Director, Sports, Athletes & Marketing Communications

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.

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.

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

What You Bring

+ Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training

+ 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

Why This Role Matters

NIKE’s athletes are more than competitors—they are storytellers, cultural icons, and sources of inspiration. In this role, you’ll help share those stories with the world. By working across athlete & sport partnership communications, you’ll help ensure Nike’s most iconic athletes and sport moments are not only seen—but deeply felt—by media, employees, and consumers across the globe.

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 Candidate Accommodation Request Form (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5153e46a93f4460db48eb9e611386685) .

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, or disability. NIKE is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call +1 503-671-4156 and let us know the nature of your request, your location and your contact information.