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.
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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