Manager Brand Communications, Team Sports

This role leads brand communication planning and execution for team sports within the Brand Management & Communications team. It develops and executes marketing strategies and plans aligned with China business strategies and global guidelines, with a focus on creative, social, PR and activation. The role works closely with Product Marketing, Sports Marketing, Culture Marketing and Retail Marketing to support brand asset activities and trade events, and manages agency partners, vendors, budgets and campaign evaluation.

• Drives the development and execution of marketing strategies and marketing plans aligned with China business strategies and in line with global guidelines.
• Creates integrated action plans for all Brand communications projects related to team sports to maximise brand and new product exposure while maximising efficiency.
• Works proactively with Product Marketing, Sports Marketing, Culture Marketing and Retail Marketing teams to support brand asset activities, trade fairs and trade meetings, positioning the brand as set out in objectives.
• Remains up to date on the fast-developing media environment and new media technologies and opportunities, and identifies communication, co-op and co-branding opportunities.
• Manages the legally correct usage of adidas trademarks and logos; sources, establishes strong relationships with and manages day-to-day activities of relevant agency partners and media vendors; and provides briefings to Creative Services to convey the desired retail presence and image at retail.
• Follows, maximises and controls the Brand Communication budget as set according to the Marketing Plan, suggests future Brand Communication budgets, negotiates and develops quotations with vendors, and evaluates and recommends pricing levels for all Brand Communication purchases.
• Executes and tracks the Brand Communications plan, implements quality control systems for production of all materials containing the adidas logo, and coordinates all launches of relevant material with the Category Merchandising team and Sales department.
• Develops, maintains and coordinates processes with the Retail Operations Department and Sales department to ensure timely in-store implementation around the country.
• Post-evaluates campaign performance by conducting or coordinating research and tracking project development, collates results into regular quality reports, and benchmarks progress in consumer brand perception.
• Ensures on-time and accurate provision of Commitment and Payment requests related to all Brand Communication projects, optimises integration with other Communications disciplines such as PR and Creative Services, and performs other job-related work assigned by the supervising manager.

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in an advertising or communication department.
• Previous experience in advertising, PR and Creative Services in China.
• Knowledge of team sports, especially football and basketball, with an interest in and desire to participate in and learn about sports as a sports enthusiast.
• A passion for and understanding of the category, with the desire to translate that passion into building the adidas brand in the region.
• Strong in creative, social, PR and activation.
• Strong team player.
• Very high level of integrity.
• Communication skills, relationship management and empathy.
• Negotiation skills.
• Excellent creative, design and art direction sense.
• Fluent English and Mandarin.
• Excellent presentation and organisational skills.
• Exposure to sports, brand/category marketing and trade marketing.
• University degree or above.

• Degree preferably in a marketing or communications related discipline.

The company believes that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives employees a sense of belonging and the brand a competitive advantage.