Business Overview 

Initiative is NIKE Inc.’s agency of record for Global Media, responsible for strategy, integrated media planning, and paid/organic social strategy and activation for Nike’s multi-region integrated brand and product campaigns.

NIKE Inc. is the world’s leading designer, marketer, and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories. 

Founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight in 1972, Nike has grown over the last 50 years into one of the most valuable, most loved and most emulated brands in the world, singular in its ability to create cultural conversation within the world of sports and fashion and far beyond. 

Nike’s mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world; a mission expressed every day through product design, digital and physical retail consumer experiences, and brand communications. *If you have a body, you are an athlete.

Partnering with Nike is an extraordinary opportunity requiring extraordinary talent. The Initiative team is highly diverse, attracting the sharpest emerging and established media experts across all disciplines in the industry. Our vision is to build the best integrated team of athletes*, passionate about sports, youth and culture, to help Nike be the catalyst for innovation and inspiration. We achieve this by driving excellence through captivating brand campaigns and athlete* connection to key offers.

At Initiative, we believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.

There are four I’s in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.
• INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.
• IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.
• IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world.

Position Summary

The Group Director, Partnerships will lead the strategy and go-to-market approach for Nike Global media activations. This role will be a trusted go-to resource for marketplace intelligence, investment strategies and negotiation innovation with global media partners The Group Director should be well-versed in the digital + streaming media landscape and passionate about staying on the pulse of sports & culture.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Nike Global Integrated media team to develop and execute a holistic partnership strategy
• Collaborate with media strategy & planning, social, and Nike global integrated media team to Identify and evaluate global media partnership opportunities that align with Nike’s brand and strategic objectives
• Lead POV and guidance on seasonal and long-term partnerships approach
• Partner with Nike to develop & negotiate annual JBPs and value creation endeavors with key partners
• Consistently collaborate with Nike creative and Geo teams from brief development through execution
• Build and maintain relationships with media partners to ensure ongoing collaboration and partnership success
• Regularly meet with potential partners and evaluate opportunities to stay up to date with industry trends and emerging media channels to identify new partnership opportunities
• Identify and present new and emerging partners and opportunities in the marketplace 
• Conduct regular analysis of global partnership performance, providing insights and recommendations for optimization and improvement for future campaigns

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven ability to interpret and analyze data and briefs to inform go-to-market strategies; strong ability to translate data inputs into well-articulated ideas 
• Strong marketplace relationships with senior salespeople at major media companies 
• Creative approach to defining deal terms including pricing models and value based on client objectives 
• Proven track record with client relations and inter-agency collaboration
• Knowledge of buying, planning, presentation/storytelling and reporting 
• Technical proficiency, particularly with media systems and MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Keynote
• Initiative does not require candidates to have a college degree

Desired Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience with planning and buying with Initiative or another Media company or experience within the Media Industry
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities 
• Proven ability to develop and maintain high level professional relationships with senior clients, colleagues and vendors
• High level of comfort presenting to clients and internal team members
• Solid understanding of marketing/communications process and the role of media partnerships in it
• Detailed awareness of client business, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status, and competition
• Solid understanding of research tools 

We See You 

At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community. 

We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.  

We See You at IPG Mediabrands.

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.

We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.  

Employment Transparency

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email [email protected].

About IPG Mediabrands

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.