Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION
New Balance are seeking a dynamic Marketing Manager running, someone who understands the running landscape and community and can drive marketing initiatives that directly speak to this audience.
The Marketing Manager Running will be responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies specifically focused on our running products. The role requires a deep understanding of the running category, consumer insights, and the ability to connect with passionate runners through authentic and impactful campaigns. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to grow the brand’s presence in the running community and drive consumer engagement and sell through.
This role can be based in any location in Northern Italy. New Balance offers a dynamic and international environment. Our passion for sport and the brand is always at the forefront.
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Category Leadership
Develop and own the category marketing strategy for running in Italy. Ensuring alignment with regional brand objectives and market opportunities.
- Campaign Development
Plan and execute marketing and trade marketing campaigns, including digital, instore, PR, events and partnerships, to engage the running community.
- Brand Partnerships
Build and manage relationships with running influencers. Brand ambassadors, and partner to amplify the brand’s presence in the running community.
- Event Marketing
Coordinate brand activation at key running events, marathons and community runs, ensuring the brand is represented in an engaging and authentic manner.
- Trade Marketing
Support the running WS brand partners to deliver concepts that engage with run specialty retailers and key accounts with a focus on product launches and other relevant activations.
- Community Management
Foster strong relationships within the running community through partnerships, sponsorships and grassroots marketing efforts.
- Performance Tracking, analysis and reporting
Use analytic tools to measure the performance of marketing efforts across channels, use insights to drive action and optimize plans for the short and longer term. Set up tracking and reporting to share insights to the wider business.
- Cross-functional Collaboration
Build strong relationships with central and local marketing teams, product development, sales, and retail to ensure alignment on product launches, campaigns, and strategic priorities.
- Budget Management
Effectively manage the marketing budget for the running category, ensuring effective allocation of resources and maximizing ROI.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
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Experience in a similar role leading local marketing, or trade marketing strategy and/or execution
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Passion and interest in running, with a deep understanding of the running market and running consumer in Italy
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Experience of agency management and content-led-channels across social, PR, influencer and creative
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Knowledge of the Italian Wholesale Landscape in running footwear
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Marketing and/or Trade Marketing activations experience
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Experience in project management including budget-management and reporting, with a solid knowledge of excel and powerpoint
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Great communication skills and working knowledge of Italian and English
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Ability to work with multiple stakeholders within the Italy team and EMEA team
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Proactive, enthusiastic approach and ability to multitask
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Willingness to travel for work and to work weekends/evenings if needed
Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
Top Skills
What We Do
In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 8,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype.
We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content.
Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static.
But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.