Sports Marketing Manager - Cypress - Speedo

Description

Sports Marketing Manager

We're relocating our office to Long Beach (near LGB) this summer. Our hybrid schedule will shift to four days onsite (Mon–Thurs) with Fridays remote.

WE ARE SPEEDO

The world's leading swimwear brand, Speedo is passionate about life in and around the water. The brand's heritage of innovation derives from its leadership in competitive swimming, where more Olympic Gold Medals have been won in Speedo than any other brand. Unmatched in performance, fit and feel, we are also America's #1 goggle brand.

From the first splash, to every stroke, the genuine love and excitement we have working with the water is what creates exciting and meaningful relationships.

Speedo is not where we work, but is who we are.

It's watching a baby in the pool for the first time or our athletes make history. What we do is sacred to us and our connection to the rest of water lovers around the world. Driven by the challenge, not the glory. At Speedo, it is never enough to be good at what you do; you have to love what you do.

Speedo is a part of the Pentland Brands Limited Family.

We are Pentland Brands, a global family business bringing some of the most loved active and footwear brands to millions of people around the world.

We own Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Endura, Mitre, ellesse, Red or Dead and we're the UK licensee for Kickers and have a joint venture partnership for Lacoste footwear. Our products are available in over 190 countries and are sold either directly by Group companies or are represented by licensees and distributors.

All our brands have their own unique identities and every one of them is powered by Pentland. We have more than 1,200 employees worldwide and we're always on the lookout for talented, enthusiastic people to help shape our future.

We celebrate differences and give everyone the freedom to innovate and develop, be it through creative working environments or learning opportunities. Our brands are there in the moments that matter - being there for more people, in more of those moments, drives everything we do.

At Pentland, we're guided by four principles, we use these to make sure we're not only doing a great job, but we're doing it in the right way:

• Success is a team game
• With clarity and courage
• Better as standard
• In good conscience

We believe in building brands for the world to love, generation after generation. Your potential is our potential and together we can build and grow brands that last.

KEY PURPOSE

The Sports Marketing Manager leads Speedo's athlete and partnership strategy across North America. This role owns the development, execution, and performance of Speedo's athlete, NIL, federation, university partnerships, ensuring investments drive brand leadership, cultural relevance, and measurable commercial impact.

As a "player-coach," this role combines strategic leadership with hands-on partnership management, working closely with internal teams, external partners, and athletes to elevate Speedo's presence from grassroots to elite levels.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Athlete & Partnership Strategy

• Co-create and execute the North America athlete and partnership strategy in alignment with Global athlete strategy, with ownership of Premier, National, NIL, and regional partnerships.
• Own relationship strategy for Team Speedo athletes, alumni, legends, coaches, agents, and key partners.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with North America–based Team Speedo athletes and partners, and coordinate with Global teams on in-market activation of Global athletes.
• Support athlete contract negotiations, renewals, and onboarding in partnership with Legal, Finance, and Global teams.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of emerging and established athletes.
• Lead Speedo's NIL strategy, ensuring athletes align with brand values and long-term growth ambitions.

Federation, University & Team Partnerships

• Own Speedo's highest-impact partnerships with federations, universities, and teams.
• Partner closely with Team Sales to ensure partnerships drive brand visibility, product adoption, and wholesale ROI.
• Oversee partnerships with organizations such as USA Swimming.
• Ensure contractual obligations are met and partnerships are activated consistently and effectively.

Activations & Events

• Lead the planning and strategic direction for athlete appearances, content, and key event activations across North America.
• Partner with Brand Marketing to shape campaigns and athlete storytelling frameworks, ensuring alignment with Speedo's brand voice and Global narratives.
• Oversee athlete activation plans for major moments including Olympic Trails, collegiate champioships, national meets, and federation gatherings.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Directly manage and develop the Sports Marketing Specialist, providing strategic direction, clear priorities, and performance feedback.
• Set activation standards and ensure high-quality execution across athlete, partnership and event initiatives.
• Foster strong collaboration between Sports Marketing, Brand, Social, Product and Sales teams through clear role definition and communication.

Measurement & Reporting

• Track, analyze, and optimize sponsorship ROI, athlete performance, and partnership outcomes.
• Deliver clear reporting and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensure activations drive measurable brand and commercial results, including on-site retail impact.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 5–7 years of experience in sports marketing, athlete management, or sponsorships - ideally within swim, Olympic, or performance sports.
• Deep understanding of NIL, collegiate sports, and partnership marketing.
• Proven experience managing or supporting partnerships with federations, athletic programs, or sports organizations.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills with athletes, agents, and sports partners.
• Demonstrated ability to execute strategic programs and measure performance.
• Collaborative, proactive, and passionate about Speedo's mission and competitive heritage.
• Positive, energetic, and fun - able to inspire athletes, partners, and teammates while representing Speedo's competitive heritage.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced market environment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and addressing challenges.

Pay Range: $110,000 - $125,000 annually

Base pay is a portion of our total compensation package and determined within a range that allows growth and development within your role. Your base pay will be determined based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Pentland Brands and Speedo are equal opportunity employers and considers all applicants for employment on the basis of their individual capabilities and qualifications, consistent with applicable law and without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. In addition to complying with all applicable laws, we have a strong corporate commitment to inclusion, diversity and to ensuring that all current and future associates are compensated solely on job-related factors such as skill, ability, educational background, work quality, experience and potential. To achieve these goals, applicants are asked not to disclose salary history information.