Principal, Communications, Media Relations, London

The NIKE, Inc. Communications team develops, establishes and strengthens authentic connections with diverse audiences through the lens of innovation and sport. The team creates premium and innovative brand stories, builds and enhances corporate reputation and brand equity, and engages audiences such as consumers, media, athletes, investors, non-governmental organizations and Nike’s own employees. The team focuses on information, inspiration and connection to accelerate the growth of NIKE, Inc. Communications employees ignite conversations, envision the possibilities, and influence and deliver new levels of creative and strategic thinking to advance the brand around the world.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced communications professional to join our UK Communications and Media Relations team as a Principal, Communications. The right candidate has a deep understanding of sport-culture and style, has experience creating and driving communications strategies within the sportswear industry, is highly collaborative, exhibits critical thinking, and can manage multiple and competing priorities.

A strong, strategic instinct, with the ability to access and apply knowledge of consumer and media insights, trends, and intelligence related sports style and sneaker culture is imperative.  A culturally curious mindset is a must.

We are looking for a self-starter, with proven experience in identifying new opportunities and turning them into breakthrough communication engagement strategies and tactics. They display high levels of agility, embracing change through finding solutions and accomplishing goals despite incomplete information and ambiguity. This person thrives in a dynamic environment, through a growth and winning mindset always, and is a team player.
 

A genuine passion for sport, health, and fitness - while not critical - will place the right candidate in better stead to more authentically engage with the work at Nike.

Requirements:

• Extensive, relevant work experience in communications, with a focus on sportswear, style, and sneaker culture.
• Deep understanding of the intersection of sport and fashion, streetwear, and broader culture within the UK, with a keen interest in sneaker culture and its communities.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans that deliver narrative-led storytelling and consumer engagement.
• Inventing new storytelling approaches and leverage emerging platforms to start new conversations that matter most for Nike Brand’s future in UK.
• Proven ability to initiate and drive the ideation process, contributing to meaningful and innovative strategies, concepts, and partnerships.
• Excellent communicator of ideas, concepts, and plans, with the ability to influence across a complex matrix on a functional and regional basis.
• Solid project management skills, including strategic planning, creative ideation, execution, budgeting, and agency management.
• Strong media relations background, with experience developing and maintaining relationships with key media contacts, influencers, and industry stakeholders.
• Think creatively and provide marketable solutions in conceiving, developing and producing tactics.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
 

You’ll be part of the UK Communications and Media Relations team in London and will report to the Senior Director of Communications, UK. You’ll work with communications peers across Consumer Product Brand Communication within EMEA as well as Global. This role has a specific focus on Sport Culture and Style and will work particularly closely with Nike’s integrated brand marketing teams. Because of the scope of this role, it will be expected to work across other fields of play- Football, Running, Training and Basketball and their influence in culture and style, in service of business priorities. 

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

You will be responsible for developing and executing long-term communications strategies and innovative storytelling tactics that builds Nike’s image as the leader in sportswear, style and sneaker culture for EMEA and creates positive brand resonance with consumers and employees. 

You will:

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans for the UK.
• Seek outside-world opportunities that takes us to new spaces and the edges of sport and sport culture.
• Re-establish and strengthen authentic connections with key media in UK.
• Be an architect of a new media / medium network for Nike focused on sportswear, streetwear, style and sneaker culture with a focus on youth and women’s.
• Anticipate, navigate and manage issues as needed.
• Keep up to date with emerging trends in fashion, design, film, art, media and technology.
• Create, lead and execute key communication initiatives, events and sport and athlete moments within UK.

Closing date for applications: 15th February 2025.