Director Global Business Affairs - Sports Marketing Negotiations

at  Adidas

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Highest level of integrity, extensive network with great knowledge of the Consumer goods industry in general and the Sports industry in particular.
• High level strategic and marketing experience with a multi-million-dollar corporate budget.
• Strong ability to think strategically.
• Strong history of quickly building relationships, gaining credibility, and partnering with department leaders and peers.
• Expert in negotiation with proven record of high-level negotiations, sponsorships in particular.
• High understanding of the marketing mix with a focus on Digital and ability to breakdown sponsorship rights.
• Proven history of leadership skills with ability to influence and convince people and act as a role model.
• Experience in senior executive relationship management, positive and creative attitude towards problems and comfortable with ambiguity.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/ MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of working experience in marketing preferably in media / sports / entertainment / FMCG.
• Experience in leading and executing commercial negotiation within the sports industry
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics, Marketing or another related field, Master’s degree or MBA not required but a plus.
• General understanding and education on the Digital environment.
• Fluent in English with strong ability to present and negotiate. Fluent in a Second European language is preferred.
• Strong level of expertise in Microsoft 365 tools.

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

Every year adidas invests large amounts in Brand Partnerships across the World in the areas of Sports Marketing. Such investments require extensive internal alignment and preparation ensuring that every investment delivers to the overall adidas Strategic Business Plan. In addition to the internal check & balances, it is imperative to conduct all external negotiations with the highest degree of professionalism and care to guarantee transparency in the process, maximize opportunities of each deal and reduce costs & risks for adidas.
The Director Global Business Affairs should ensure success of the department through the following main responsibilities:
1. Ensure internal implementation of the Brand Partnerships negotiation process to guarantee legal compliance, transparency, and general alignment with the adidas Strategic Business Plan.
2. Lead and manage Brand partnerships external negotiations according to the thresholds identified (all Brand Icons, +10mio€ Sports Marketing).
3. Establish the Business Affairs department as the center of excellence for all Brand negotiations developing and implementing the adidas way of negotiating across all deals.
4. Represent adidas’ interests towards all relevant external stakeholders and develop the needed relationships to maintain adidas’ influence and footprint in the Sports industry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure high quality Brand Partnerships deals through regular and consistent involvement of Business Affairs in all relevant Partner negotiations and the implementation of a process driven decision making and a prepared, documented external negotiation strategy.
• Guarantee checks & balances and legal compliance by leading and managing all Brand Partnerships negotiations included in the following thresholds: all Brand Icons, +10mio€ Sports Marketing.
• Ensure implementation and adherence of all legal and Business Affairs guidelines and compliance with the partnerships Contract Approval Form process across Sports Marketing.
• Develop deep understanding of the adidas Strategic Business Plan with extensive knowledge of the Business Units priorities.
• Establish strong relationships with key regions (US, Europe, China) at all management levels to ensure up to date knowledge of market’s business realities and Brand Partnerships developments.
• Develop and futureproof adidas contractual rights packages to ensure alignment with adidas strategy, keep up to date with industry standards while reducing costs and risks for the Brand.
• Create relevant and user-friendly negotiation tools guiding the wider Brand Partnerships community on negotiation strategy + tactics and principles.
• Develop adidas negotiation expertise through regular negotiation workshops/series and knowledge management system encouraging interaction and sharing of best practices.