Principal, North America Media Relations, LA

Information about benefits can be found here.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

You’ll work closely with North America Communications teammates, as well as in partnership with Nike’s integrated, brand and sports marketing teams to build and activate Los Angeles as a cultural engine for the brand. The individual will also contribute to national events when necessary, working closely with teammates in NYC and PHK HQ in Portland.  

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Principal, Media Relations, LA who will be responsible for developing and executing communications strategies that position Los Angeles as a priority cultural and storytelling market for Nike, while contributing to North America-wide media relations strategies, agency management, and earned storytelling initiatives. This individual would possess a deep understanding of the Los Angeles cultural landscape, with strong instincts for identifying emerging media trends and opportunities before they reach the mainstream. They will bring a strong network of media, creators and storytellers to the role. Their primary focus will be media relations, defined broadly as developing and landing stories across today’s media landscape, including traditional and institutional media, social-first outlets, creators and other influential storytellers.

This role is responsible for creating and driving cultural impact and influence through an ecosystem of consumer media, earned creators, sport, entertainment media and community leaders in Los Angeles and nationally. With a sharp focus on storytelling at the intersection of sport and culture to drive influence for the Nike brand.  The individual will identify opportunities that originate in Los Angeles and scale them into broader North America earned media opportunities when appropriate.

In addition to building cut-through audience strategies and experiences, the role will help lead, redefine, cultivate, and develop expressions of sport and style that challenge convention and permeate culture in new and inventive ways. The output of this work should ignite purposeful conversations around Nike’s most powerful stories and help build new, innovative and creative networks and platforms for conversation. This person will also be responsible for cultivating a forward-looking approach to communications strategies that leverage the ever-changing integrated media and highly engaged consumer landscape.

The candidate would benefit having a passion for sport, an ability to deliver new ways of thinking, and a desire to deepen and evolve Nike's sport-culture relationship with new audiences and consumers. The individual should be proactive, creative, and solutions oriented. Being culturally curious, with a passion for sport and movement, having an eye for design and trends, and deep understanding of Los Angeles popular culture is a must.

Successful candidates will bring a positive, team-oriented mindset, be curious, have strong strategic instincts and exceptional relationship skills, and be able to handle ambiguity to work across a global, corporate matrix.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

Our work encompasses written, oral, visual, and digital communication. We focus on information,  connection and experiences- what is created and how it is managed, distributed and consumed to accelerate brand growth. Our audiences include an ecosystem of media, creators, sport, entertainment and culture in Los Angeles and nationally. 

We work across our communications functionally and with cross functional partners to drive energy through inspiration, innovation and growth stories and experiences around sport and athletes. We are looking for individuals with the ability to expand the boundaries of storytelling to create content, moments, stunts, and programs that generate sustained earned and owned vitality. 

As a member of the communications team you’ll contribute at every stage of the planning process and help shape the direction of the LA communications team’s work from the beginning to ensure that strategy and execution move together as part of one integrated approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Los Angeles media relations plans for key projects across Sports Culture including but not limited to Sportswear, Training, and Entertainment Media. 
• Maintains a deep and diverse network across Los Angeles media, creators, entertainment, sport, sneaker culture, community organizations, tastemakers, and cultural influencers. Leverages existing relationships to identify earned media opportunities to create meaningful connections for the Nike brand.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, align, and drive action across a highly matrixed organization where success depends on collaboration rather than direct authority.
• Develop earned-first communications plans, experiences and activations that create brand relevance and cultural impact.
• Identify Los Angeles stories that can scale nationally and contribute to North America Media Relations priorities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, anticipate challenges, and ensure flawless execution.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, with strong instincts for identifying emerging media trends, earned creator talent, and storytelling opportunities and platforms before they reach the mainstream.
• Work cross-functionally with Los Angeles marketing, sports marketing, North America communications team and external partners to deliver integrated storytelling.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• 8+ years of professional experience in fast-paced, high-profile media relations, communications or public relations roles supporting global brands.
• Extensive media relations experience and a strong, active network of relationships across North American media, storytellers, creators and influential voices in sport, business, culture, lifestyle and consumer media, with a focus on those Los Angeles based. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, prioritize effectively, meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.
• Deep understanding of the evolving media ecosystem, including social, digital, print, podcasts, newsletters, creator platforms and AI-powered discovery.
• Experience using audience insights, data, social listening and cultural intelligence to inform communications strategy and real-time decision-making.
• Proven ability to influence and align senior leaders, peers and cross-functional partners across a complex global and regional matrix.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead ideation, bringing creative, innovative and business-minded communications solutions forward at the concept stage.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and communicate with clarity, confidence and precision.
• High cultural fluency and curiosity, with a strong understanding of sport, style, footwear, apparel, entertainment and popular culture.
• Experience working on high-profile consumer brands; company or agency spokesperson experience preferred.

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.