Position Summary

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.

Initiative is Nike's and Jordan brand’s media agency of record for EMEA, responsible for strategy, integrated media planning and activation, measurement, and data & technology services across 34 countries.  Initiative partners with Initiative to create best in class solutions for Nike.

Partnering with Nike is an extraordinary opportunity requiring extraordinary talent.
Our vision is to build the best integrated team connecting brand and performance to deliver best in class outcomes. The Nike Initiative EMEA team is highly diverse, attracting the sharpest emerging and established media experts across all disciplines in the industry, with the chance to grow and do great work people all over the region will see, admire, and respond to.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete.

Key Responsibilities

The Marketplace Planning Associate Director is part of the Marketplace team which manages the Nike commerce, stores and membership program. This function operates also across upper funnel teams to drive performance and acquisition as a result of integrated planning.

The Marketplace team has an important task in contributing to drive the execution of the integrated Digital Media Strategy for Nike. Delivering outstanding cross-channel and full funnel strategies and tactics, together with the all Initiative teams working for Nike. This function reports reports to the Marketplace Planning Director.

Marketplace (or Digital Retail) Strategy & planning:

• Assist in developing annual and seasonal digital media strategies to activate Commerce, stores, and membership campaigns across EMEA.
• Connect performance strategies into full funnel and conversion strategies for Nike Constructs (e.g. women's, kids) and Fields of Play (Running, Fitness etc.).
• Lead performance marketing activation, integrating data, targeting and content with partners.
• Develop commerce-led activation strategies, ensuring omnichannel demand capture.
• Supports Marketplace Director with performance strategy, tactical frameworks and testing opportunities.
• Creates integrated digital tactical approaches aligning social, programmatic and paid search to ensure maximum performance for Nike in each phase of the consumer journey
• Translates briefs into clear digital KPI’s and plans based on client needs and campaign objectives.

Full Funnel Channel Strategies:

• Support the Director in creating comprehensive full funnel channel playbooks, collaborating closely with Integrated Planning & Channel Specialist teams to ensure strategy implementation in seasonal campaigns.
• Continuously monitor implementation and update strategies based on evolving business objectives, campaign insights, and platform changes.
• Works with Integrated Planning & Channel Specialist teams to understand maximum investment levels and point of diminishing returns by Craft to inform planning and optimisation
• Works with Integrated Planning & Channel Specialist teams to understand current performance and what is possible in terms of optimisations
• Participates & coordinates the delivery of detailed performance planning for Constructs & Fields of Play & Retail moments.

Desired Skills & Experience

The ideal Marketplace Planning Associate director  for Nike will bring the following traits and competencies to the role:

• Digital Planning Expertise: Advanced performance planning expertise, audience targeting, and fluid investment allocation across channels.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Analyze complex datasets to extract insights, justify planning decisions, and present compelling post-campaign analyses.
• Strategic Investment Mindset: Partner with strategy teams to drive exceptional ROI and business growth through brilliant cross-channel integrated media activation. 
• Experienced in working with multi-country retail brands.
• Capable of bridging the gap between brand and performance.
• Collaborates effectively with Integrated Planning & Channel Specialist teams, external clients and agency/media partners.
• Skillfully communicates data-driven narratives simply, offering concise actionable insights and recommendations across channels.
• Demonstrates confidence and clarity in both written and verbal communications, particularly with senior-level clients.
• Offers a strategic perspective on platform and technology evolution, guiding the leverage of emerging tools like AI-powered platforms (e.g., Pmax and A+).
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion; able to conceptualize based on relevant digital trends and insights and able to translate this into clear processes and ways of work to be used by colleagues and Nike
• Values diverse perspectives, experiences, and skillsets; Brings different thinkers and resources together for a common goal
• Fluent in English, both in presenting and writing

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.  

IPG Mediabrands has 'CHALLENGE' in its DNA. We are a company of Challengers. We are not the largest, but we are there for brands and marketers who want to be surprised, challenged, and stimulated so they don't stand still. Additionally, the IPG Mediabrands labels have 'TOGETHER' in their DNA. We are one collective, we form one house and believe that together we are bigger and stronger and have more knowledge. We are the 'House of Challengers!