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Senior Manager Athlete Servicing - Basketball

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adidas

Nov 9, 2024

Applications are closed

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Engineering
    Sports & Fitness
  • Portland
    Remote

Requirements

  • * Passion for sports in general and in-depth knowledge of the responsible categories
  • * Deep sport specific knowledge in athletic training
  • * Knowledge in anatomy and biomechanics (e.g. functional assessment and profiling; sport-specific movements, wear pattern and injuries; treatment specification)
  • * Expert product creation knowledge (e.g. materials, components, modifications, technologies, assembly)
  • * Excellent analytical, presentation, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
  • * Experience in project management. Advanced ability to effectively contribute towards multiple priority projects proactively
  • * Strong problem solving & result oriented skills
  • * IT (MS office – advanced; knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Rhino and data analysis is a plus)
  • * Excellent English skills (additional language is a plus)
  • * Manage business (project & processes)
  • * Provide a framework for performance
  • * Relationship management and ability to influence others
  • * Ability to work individually, with a high degree of flexibility
  • * Must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
  • * Frequent domestic and international travel (average approximately 25%)
  • * Min 6 years of relevant job experience in the sporting goods industry
  • * Experience in working with high level athletes of advantage
  • * Education
  • * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience: Engineering science (e.g. Sports Engineering, Sports Science, Biomechanics, …) or medical degree (e.g. Sports Medicine, Pedorthist, Rehabilitation Science, …).
  • * Graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) an advantage.

Responsibilities

  • Proactively contribute to establish a cross-category learning within the Athlete Servicing (AS) team.
  • Contributes significantly to the achievement of department and/or project targets.
  • Plan and manage product related athlete visits/ brand induction activities at adidas HQs in Portland or Los Angeles in close cooperation with Sports Marketing & BU.
  • Travel to meet athletes frequently. Open and transparent communication with all involved adidas entities is required.
  • Discuss and manage any product related issues the athlete/coaches/medical staff may be experiencing and steer dialogue to develop smart solutions.
  • Support adidas athletes prior to major sports events (i.e. All Star, Playoffs, Olympic Games, …) and ensure they have the best possible product to perform.
  • Collaborate closely with Sports Marketing to conceptualize and install a support function during major sports events for the respective category (i.e. Athlete Servicing Event unit, Quick reaction setup, training camp visits, …).
  • Build authentic relationships with adidas athletes to implement new processes re. gathering honest and relevant product feedback from athletes and their professional (coaches) and medical environment (Doctors, Physios, Athletic Trainers).
  • Support AS Operations’ development of athlete footwear projects end to end including briefing, modification discussions, distribution from the factory to the athletes, confirmation of modifications, and tracking updates to ensure on-court or on-field activation.
  • Broad and deep knowledge in product creation process to generate Pro Athlete Product Insights and to create custom footwear and apparel for all contracted athletes according to their individual needs.
  • Expert in specifying the needs and requirements of the athlete for product customization (performance, fit & comfort, and rehabilitation) in close cooperation with AS Operations team.
  • Educate and train external partners on adidas products to improve their quality of feedback and create an understanding for adidas technologies.
  • Gain general product feedback on competitor activities & product on Pro Level.
  • Lead adidas partnerships with League Committees (NFL, NBA, etc.) regarding athlete health and safety and product validation for on-field and on-court use.
  • Steer the integration of elite athlete insights into the Innovation and Inline creation process for the area of responsibility.
  • Close cooperation with BU, Development, and Design in terms of support and expert knowledge.
  • Strategic lead of respective elite athletes’ product testing: Make sure validated feedback is an implemented part of the adidas Inline and Innovation product creation process to constantly improve adidas performance products.
  • Plan upcoming seasons and new product rollouts with all involved entities (Sports Marketing, BU, AS OPS).
  • Cooperate closely with BU on footwear and apparel to develop and test all respective inline products with elite athletes.
  • Document and evaluate gained knowledge and forward to the BU for future learnings.
  • Provide validated feedback on our products during the relevant sample stages.
  • Proactively support AS Operations by providing information required for seasonal planning and forecasting.
  • Plan and manage the operational business including the maintenance of athletes’ data and feedback.
  • Support supervisor in driving projects, creating advanced presentations and/or trainings.
  • Work closely with all category partners and contracted athletes.
  • Collaborate and communicate with external parties (contracted athletes, athlete management, coaches, medical staff) to positively influence the perception of adidas products in the respective category.
  • Respective Business Units (Marketing, Design, Development, Sports Marketing, Innovation).

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the Senior Manager Athlete Servicing position in Basketball?

The primary purpose is to create, run, and improve world-class services for elite athletes through assessments and custom product engineering, ensuring athletes perform at their best with our brand.

What kind of relationships will I need to build in this role?

You will need to build authentic relationships with adidas athletes, coaches, and medical staff, as well as collaborate closely with various internal departments and external partners.

How often will I be required to travel in this role?

The position requires frequent domestic and international travel, averaging approximately 25%.

What kind of experience is required for this position?

A minimum of 6 years of relevant job experience in the sporting goods industry is required, along with experience working with high-level athletes being an advantage.

What educational background is preferred for this role?

A bachelor’s degree in engineering science (e.g., Sports Engineering, Sports Science, Biomechanics) or a medical degree (e.g., Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation Science) is preferred, with a graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) considered an advantage.

Are there specific product knowledge skills needed for the role?

Yes, candidates should have expert knowledge of product creation processes, including materials, components, technologies, and assembly, as well as familiarity with athlete-specific needs for customization.

What are the key responsibilities related to athlete servicing?

Key responsibilities include managing athlete visits, discussing product issues with athletes, supporting athletes before major sports events, and collaborating with Sports Marketing to conceptualize support functions during events.

What are the necessary technical skills for this job?

Proficiency in MS Office is required; knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Rhino, along with data analysis skills are a plus.

Is a passion for sports important for this position?

Yes, a passion for sports and deep sport-specific knowledge is crucial for effectively serving athletes and understanding their needs.

How is feedback from athletes incorporated into product development?

The role involves integrating elite athlete insights into the product creation process and ensuring that validated feedback is implemented to constantly improve performance products.

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Fashion & Arts
Industry
10,001+
Employees
1949
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

adidas is a multinational sportswear company that designs, manufactures, and sells a wide range of athletic and lifestyle products, including footwear, apparel, and accessories. As one of the leading sportswear brands in the world, their products cater to various sports and activities, aiming to provide athletes and consumers with high-quality and innovative gear to enhance their performance and lifestyle. Their ultimate mission is to be the best sports brand in the world, with a focus on creating products that combine cutting-edge technology and design to meet the evolving needs of athletes and consumers. Their purpose is to inspire and enable people to harness the power of sports in their lives, fostering a culture of creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity. Through collaborations with athletes, teams, and influencers, as well as initiatives for social and environmental responsibility, adidas strives to make a positive impact on communities and contribute to a healthier and more active world.

Benefits

  • Bonus program – based on short term incentives

  • Long-Term Incentive (LTI) plan for senior management and Executive Board members

  • Adidas Stock Purchase Plan