WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This role reports to the Senior Manager of International Basketball Sports Marketing, based at Nike World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon, United States, and is based in Tokyo, Japan. The role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams across Japan Sports Marketing, Global Sports Marketing, Brand Marketing, Communications, Retail, Sales, Product, Finance, and Social Community and Impact (SC&I), while engaging a broad external network of athletes, agents, coaches, scouts, teams, leagues, federations, schools, agencies, and media partners.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As basketball continues to accelerate in visibility and cultural relevance across Japan, the team seeks a strategic and culturally fluent leader who translates athlete insight and sport trends into sharp, actionable sports marketing strategies that fuel business growth. This individual builds trust quickly and sustains meaningful partnerships across athletes, teams, and internal stakeholders, while connecting investments to measurable outcomes. They bring a strong point of view, operate with agility, and understand the nuances of Japan’s basketball landscape, supported by established relationships and a deep passion for the game.
Minimum 5–6 years of experience in sports marketing, brand marketing, athlete management, sponsorship, partnerships, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management, communications or equivalent practical experience.
Deep expertise in Japan’s basketball and broader sports landscape.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusted partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
Skilled negotiator with sound judgment and the ability to drive strategic decisions in dynamic environments.
Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and Japanese.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
In this role, you focus on mastering the fundamentals—seek, sign, and serve—while shaping strategies that identify emerging talent, build authentic relationships, and translate opportunities into measurable business impact locally and globally, managing a dynamic portfolio that ensures NIKE shows up at the forefront when it matters most.
Seek: Identify and connect with top basketball talent across Japan early, building authentic, long-term relationships.
Manage the athlete and team portfolio by balancing investments and divestments to maximize impact and build a strong, future-ready roster.
Sign: Leverage trusted relationships and credibility to establish NIKE as a preferred partner among Japan’s top basketball talent.
Serve: Manage athlete and team servicing needs, including product seeding, contractual commitments, and event execution.
Collaborate closely with Brand Marketing, Product, and cross-functional partners to amplify athlete moments and unlock business growth.
Oversee budgets, contracts, reporting, and compliance requirements with discipline and accuracy.
Develop and evolve the Japan Basketball Sports Marketing strategy, aligning global priorities with local insights and opportunities.
Skills Required
- Minimum 5-6 years of experience in sports marketing, brand marketing, athlete management, sponsorship, partnerships, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management, Communications or equivalent practical experience.
- Deep expertise in Japan's basketball and broader sports landscape.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusted partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
- Skilled negotiator with sound judgment and ability to drive strategic decisions in dynamic environments.
- Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and Japanese.
Nike Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nike and has not been reviewed or approved by Nike.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a company match is complemented by options such as a Mega Backdoor Roth and deferred compensation for eligible earners. Financial coaching and structured savings programs support long-term financial security.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a stock discount sits alongside broad-based equity vehicles like RSUs and non-qualified stock options. These avenues expand wealth-building opportunities beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave includes maternity and paternity time, recently expanded in the U.S. to 16 weeks and extended to part-time retail teammates. Additional supports include childcare assistance at select locations and family-building benefits such as fertility, surrogacy, and adoption.
Nike Insights
What We Do
At NIKE, Inc., we innovate to serve athletes*. Every teammate - from coder to creator - plays a role in making these athletes’ dreams real. Our tech, data, and digital teams push limits every day, building the future of sport and the tools that drive it. Here, curiosity is fuel. Innovation is the game plan. Different perspectives keep us on the offense. You’ll solve challenges worth tackling, grow fast and belong to a team that backs you to do the right thing. Bring your drive. Bring your bold. Let’s move the world, together. Take your first step at nike.com/careers * If you have a body, you’re an athlete.
Why Work With Us
At NIKE, Inc., your dedication fuels the future of sport. There is a sense of pride that comes from representing an iconic brand and shaping its future. Here, we treat every day as a new opportunity to push boundaries, ask tough questions and share whole-hearted convictions. We are a team – united by the belief that anything is possible.
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