About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about leading marketing strategies that use athletes to promote brands. You'll be responsible for creating campaigns that connect sports talent with brand storytelling and business growth. It's a senior-level position focused on strategy and execution rather than day-to-day management of a team.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have extensive experience in marketing, particularly in sports or entertainment, and are comfortable working in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Strong strategic thinking and creativity are essential, along with a passion for sports.

Worth noting

The role emphasizes a digital-first approach and the ability to drive ideas into action, which may appeal to those who thrive in dynamic settings. The salary range is competitive for this level of responsibility in New York.

Who We Are

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand and entertainment platform that owns and invests in iconic intellectual property and cultural assets. It accelerates brands through a set of specialized businesses that combine powerful storytelling, premium content, unforgettable live experiences and global commerce. Through a network of more than 1,700 best-in-class licensees and strategic partners across 150 countries and expansive distribution, Authentic’s brands drive more than $36 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.

Authentic’s diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.

For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.

Why Authentic

You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.

The Director, Talent Marketing (Sports & Athletes) will lead the development and execution of athlete-driven marketing strategies across Authentic Brands Group’s global portfolio. As part of the centralized Talent & Influencer Marketing function, this role will be responsible for leveraging athletes and sports talent as a core marketing channel to drive cultural relevance, brand storytelling, and measurable business growth.

This individual will translate brand and product priorities into impactful marketing campaigns powered by athlete talent—overseeing creative, content, and distribution strategies across paid, owned, and earned channels. The Director will serve as a key cross-functional marketing leader, partnering closely with brand marketing, PR, social, and regional teams to bring campaigns to life at scale. The role reports into the VP of Talent & Influencer Marketing.

What you’ll be working on

Marketing Strategy & Campaign Development

Lead athlete-driven marketing strategies across ABG’s portfolio, aligning talent to seasonal campaigns, product launches, and key cultural moments
Translate brand objectives into integrated marketing plans powered by athlete talent
Develop campaign frameworks that drive full-funnel impact—from awareness to conversion

Content & Creative Leadership

Oversee the development of athlete-led content across campaigns, including shoots, social content, and brand storytelling
Partner with creative and brand teams to shape narratives that resonate culturally and elevate brand positioning
Ensure all talent content is optimized for performance across platforms (social, digital, retail, ecomm)

Campaign Execution & Channel Integration

Lead execution of athlete marketing campaigns across paid, owned, and earned channels
Partner with paid media, social, and PR teams to maximize reach, engagement, and conversion
Ensure seamless integration of athlete talent into broader marketing ecosystems (retail moments, events, brand activations)

Talent Strategy

Identify and recommend athletes who align with brand positioning, audience targets, and campaign objectives
Build a strategic roster of athletes to support ongoing marketing needs (ambassadors, campaign talent, cultural moments)
Partner with internal teams to ensure talent is leveraged effectively across all marketing touchpoints

Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration

Collaborate with global and regional marketing teams (EMEA, LATAM, APAC) to scale campaigns and localize athlete-driven content
Act as a central connector across brand, PR, social, and events teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution
Align talent marketing efforts with broader business and retail priorities

Performance & Optimization

Define and track campaign success metrics, including engagement, impressions, traffic, and sales impact
Analyze performance and optimize talent-driven marketing strategies based on data and insights
Develop executive-level recaps highlighting marketing impact and ROI

Leadership & Team Development

Mentor and manage junior team members, fostering a marketing-first mindset
Establish best practices for athlete-driven marketing across the organization
Drive operational excellence across campaign planning, execution, and reporting

Must Haves

7–10+ years of experience in marketing, talent marketing, sports marketing, or influencer marketing
Proven experience developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns
Strong understanding of how talent (athletes/celebrities/influencers) drives brand marketing and consumer engagement
Experience working across content, social, PR, and paid media channels
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to tie marketing efforts to business outcomes
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders
Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills
Passion for sports, culture, and modern marketing

Primary Location Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000

Fraud Alert: Unauthorized Job Offers and Impersonations

We have been made aware of fraudulent job offers and interview requests being sent by individuals falsely claiming to represent Authentic. These scams are often initiated via email, employment websites and social media, and may include fake interview requests, offer letters or attempts to collect personal and financial information.

Please note:

All legitimate Authentic job postings can be found only on our official website (authentic.com) or through our verified LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareauthentic).
Authentic does not conduct interviews over Teams or Zoom without prior email correspondence from a verified @authentic.com email address.
We will never ask you for sensitive personal information, payment or banking details as part of the hiring process.

If you believe you've been contacted by someone impersonating an Authentic team member, please report it immediately by emailing peopleandculture@authentic.com.

Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.

For individuals with disabilities or religious obligations who would like to request an accommodation, please contact talent@authentic.com

To access Authentic' s Privacy Policy, which contains information regarding data collected from job applicants and how we use it, please click here: https://authentic.com/pages/privacy-policy

Skills & Tags

go docker ai data product marketing sales

Aplyr's read

Authentic Brands Group thrives in brand management, offering diverse roles from creative to corporate, attracting professionals passionate about global brand development.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Authentic manages a diverse portfolio of global brands, providing varied career opportunities.
•The company offers roles in multiple regions, including APAC and LATAM, enhancing international exposure.
•Recent hiring includes senior and executive positions, indicating growth and leadership opportunities.

What to watch

•The company's focus on brand management may limit roles for those seeking non-marketing careers.
•Limited public information about company culture and employee satisfaction.
•High-level roles may require extensive industry experience, limiting entry-level opportunities.

Why Authentic

•Authentic's portfolio spans fashion, sports, and entertainment, offering cross-industry career paths.
•The company frequently hires for regional roles, supporting global brand expansion.
•Authentic's internships cover diverse areas, providing broad learning experiences for students.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?