Manager, Cultural Partnership Strategist

JD Finish Line

2d•$70,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Come work for us! We are looking for dedicated employees to join our team to help our customers have the best experience possible every time they enter a DTLR store. Our employees are key to our success. The Manager, Cultural Partnership Strategist oversees talent management and vendor relationships with influencers of all levels and industries, as well as keeping the Brand team’s initiatives and strategies in mind. This leader is accountable for driving strategic and actionable cultural partnerships that support our brand strategy, with an emphasis on the culture and partnerships brand pillar. This leader will effectively exhibit DTLRs core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following key duties: Forges relationships with non-traditional business partners seeking to engage to core consumer (i.e. sports franchises, food & beverage companies, armed services & more) Leads a team that serves as a talent liaison and partners with cross-functional team members to effectively develop, drive, and execute strategic talent programs and processes Oversee, coach, and develop direct reports to motivate and inspire strategic action Act as the strategic owner of the culture and partnerships brand pillar and work amongst your first team to validate and deliver culture relevance on behalf of the DTLR brand Identify and maintain relationships with industry-relevant influencers and partners while considering key markets, association with brands, and clout within culture Communicate creative briefs and guidelines/objectives of key programs to culture partners Providing recommendations on new ways to partner based on ongoing research in social and cultural trends and tools Evaluate relationships - both long and short-term - to optimize and align with key brand priorities and programs Oversee contract requests to legal Oversee merchandise removal requests and/or gathering of samples for influencers, photoshoots, and seeding in partnership with the DC Oversee execution of influencer program including deliverables, timelines and coordination of logistics Responsible for direct report oversight of all Talent team members including interviewing, hiring, and training Talent Cultural Partnership employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and performance managing employees; addressing inquiries and resolving problems; ensuring all direct reports are continuously developing and are set up for career growth. Additional duties and projects as required.

Requirements

Extensive experience in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives.
Superior written and verbal communication skills, coupled with highly developed interpersonal skills
Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and set priorities within tight time lines and high client expectations
Proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Must be outgoing and passionate to the urban environment in which it is marketed
Must demonstrate an ability to think strategically, plan and organize effectively.
Excellent customer service skills, in person, on the phone and in writing
Comfortable with team-based work structure and, when needed, the ability to work independently
Demonstrate flexibility on the job and the ability to adapt quickly and react to business needs and change
Proven ability to work independently and remotely.
Detail oriented, acute attention to detail and excellent time management with strong sense of urgency.
Ability to work some Saturdays and evenings.
Must be able to maintain an exemplary degree of professionalism in all situations.
Demonstrated leadership and decision-making skills
Comfortable with team-based work structure and, when needed, the ability to work independently
Ability to adapt quickly and react to business needs and change
Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university and at least 5-8 years’ experience in talent management, the digital marketing field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Should have intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office products; strong knowledge of computer and web/digital technologies, software, and applications; and strong understanding of file management.
Must be an effective communicator with internal and external individuals at all levels. This includes spoken, written, electronic, and presentation skills. Communication should be consistently constructive and professional.
Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and decide on course of action after considering the consequences of possible solutions. Able to analyze results at a micro and macro level and present findings.
Makes routine decisions following established policies and procedures; collaborates with managers to gain assistance when complex issues arise.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

Forges relationships with non-traditional business partners seeking to engage to core consumer (i.e. sports franchises, food & beverage companies, armed services & more)
Leads a team that serves as a talent liaison and partners with cross-functional team members to effectively develop, drive, and execute strategic talent programs and processes
Oversee, coach, and develop direct reports to motivate and inspire strategic action
Act as the strategic owner of the culture and partnerships brand pillar and work amongst your first team to validate and deliver culture relevance on behalf of the DTLR brand
Identify and maintain relationships with industry-relevant influencers and partners while considering key markets, association with brands, and clout within culture
Communicate creative briefs and guidelines/objectives of key programs to culture partners
Providing recommendations on new ways to partner based on ongoing research in social and cultural trends and tools
Evaluate relationships - both long and short-term - to optimize and align with key brand priorities and programs
Oversee contract requests to legal
Oversee merchandise removal requests and/or gathering of samples for influencers, photoshoots, and seeding in partnership with the DC
Oversee execution of influencer program including deliverables, timelines and coordination of logistics
Responsible for direct report oversight of all Talent team members including interviewing, hiring, and training Talent Cultural Partnership employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and performance managing employees; addressing inquiries and resolving problems; ensuring all direct reports are continuously developing and are set up for career growth.
Additional duties and projects as required.