Marketing Manager US, Vibram FiveFingers

Description

Vibram FiveFingers is redefining how people connect with movement and the world beneath their feet. Rooted in Vibram's legacy of innovation in technical rubber and performance footwear, FiveFingers was built on the belief that feet are designed to feel, move, and interact naturally with the ground. The brand inspires a growing natural approach to movement across running, training, outdoor adventure, wellness, and everyday life.

The Marketing Manager serves as a key brand and marketing leader for Vibram FiveFingers in Los Angeles, operating at the intersection of sport, wellness, culture, and consumer behavior. This role is responsible for identifying and translating emerging trends, cultural movements, and consumer insights into authentic marketing opportunities that strengthen brand relevance and engagement.

With a deep curiosity for the evolving marketplace, this role stays connected to where culture, movement, and consumer interests are heading, recognizing opportunities for FiveFingers to participate in meaningful and credible ways.

Requirements

 Market Leadership & Strategic Insights

• Serve as the primary voice of the Americas market, bringing deep knowledge of U.S. consumer trends, sport, wellness, and cultural dynamics to inform the global marketing strategy.
• Identify emerging opportunities and advocate for the needs, priorities, and nuances of the U.S. market within global planning and decision-making processes.
• Translate global brand and marketing strategies into impactful, locally relevant initiatives that resonate with American consumers.
• Balance both U.S. and global priorities, ensuring strong alignment while championing the perspective of the American market across the broader Vibram FiveFingers organization.

Market & Consumer Intelligence

• Act as the eyes and ears of Vibram FiveFingers within the U.S. market, maintaining a strong understanding of developments across running, training, wellness, outdoor recreation, design, and culture.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging consumer behaviors, communities, athletes, creators, brands, and cultural movements that present opportunities for brand engagement.
• Provide informed recommendations on where and how the brand should participate, ensuring alignment with business objectives and brand values.
• Transform market and cultural insights into actionable marketing strategies and opportunities for both U.S. and global teams.
• Build and maintain a robust network across the Los Angeles sport, wellness, creative, and cultural ecosystems.

Brand & Marketing 

• Develop and execute integrated marketing programs that increase brand awareness, relevance, and consumer affinity for Vibram FiveFingers.
• Lead regional and local activations spanning events, community engagement, partnerships, retail initiatives, content development, and public relations.
• Support U.S. go-to-market planning and ensure global campaigns are authentically adapted for American audiences.
• Collaborate with Global Marketing to identify successful initiatives that can scale to other markets.
• Ensure all marketing efforts consistently reflect the FiveFingers brand positioning, visual identity, and voice.
• Strengthen brand presence among key consumer communities and terrains

Sport, Wellness & Community 

• Cultivate authentic relationships with athletes, coaches, trainers, gyms, studios, wellness practitioners, creators, ambassadors, and community leaders.
• Identify and activate against relevant events, cultural moments, wellness platforms, training communities, and sporting opportunities.
• Develop community-driven programs that introduce new consumers to the FiveFingers experience.
• Support the growth and effectiveness of the FiveFingers ambassador and community ecosystem.
• Represent the brand at key industry events, activations, and community engagements nationwide.

Team & Leadership 

• Demonstrates strong leadership capabilities by fostering collaboration, influencing stakeholders, and driving alignment across cross-functional teams to achieve business goals.
• Builds trusted relationships, leads through influence, and creates an inclusive environment where team members are empowered to contribute and succeed.
• Leads by example, promoting accountability, teamwork, and effective communication while delivering high-impact results.
• Develops strong partnerships across the organization, leveraging diverse perspectives to drive innovation, decision-making, and business outcomes.

Travel & Global Collaboration 

• Travel internationally as needed to support key global initiatives, events, launches, market opportunities and collaboration with the Global Marketing team. 
• Share U.S. market intelligence and consumer insights with global stakeholders to influence brand strategy and business opportunities worldwide.
• Participate in global planning, seasonal strategy and key brand moments. 
• Help bridge the U.S. consumer landscape with the broader global vision and growth strategy for Vibram FiveFingers.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in marketing, brand management, communications, or a related discipline.
• Experience within the sport, wellness, footwear, outdoor, fitness, lifestyle, or consumer brand industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. consumer landscape, including cultural trends, purchasing behaviors, and emerging market dynamics.
• Demonstrated passion for and knowledge of evolving trends across sport, wellness, movement, fitness, and culture.
• Proven experience developing and executing integrated marketing initiatives, including events, partnerships, community programs, and brand activations.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills, with the ability to establish authentic connections across diverse audiences and stakeholder groups.
• Established network within sport, wellness, creative, cultural, or lifestyle communities, or the ability to quickly build and cultivate meaningful industry relationships.
• Experience managing agencies, strategic partners, vendors, and other external stakeholders to successfully deliver marketing objectives.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills combined with a hands-on, execution-oriented approach.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance local market priorities with broader global business and brand objectives.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the United States and internationally as required.

 Vibram 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, veteran status, or disability.