ACF, Inc Chicago Lead, City Brand & Retail Marketing - Nike Running Long Beach, CA · Full time Company website

Apply for Chicago Lead, City Brand & Retail Marketing - Nike Running

We help brands bring the power of sport to every community, everywhere. From Strategy & Ideation to Live Events & Retail Experience, we build from the ground up. We don’t just study the culture, we help shape it from within. Together, we are A Creative Force. We are the Sport Authenticator Agency.

What You’ll Do

• Champion the Runner’s Truth: You serve as a primary source of runner insights. You identify the “why” behind local behaviors and translate those truths into actionable strategies that move the sport forward. 
• Master the Marketplace: You inform and shape how the sport and Nike Brand shows up in the Chicago marketplace, ensuring the energy of the community is reflected in key retail doors so product and storytelling feel like an authentic extension of local culture. You explore new opportunities and continuously calibrate the marketplace to unlock what is next.
• Elevate Youth and High School Connections: You maintain a deep connection to high school track and field and cross-country communities. You know the coaches and athletes pushing the sport forward and identify ways to elevate and inspire them.
• Elevate Women: You recognize the momentum and opportunity in women’s running and actively look for ways to support and uplift women athletes across youth, amateur, and professional levels.
• Collaborate: You move ideas from concept to execution by building strong partnerships across visual merchandising, brand, retail, and internal teams.
• Future-proof insights : You validate ideas against the lived reality of the city and the marketplace before they go to market. 

Own the Ground Game

• People: You stay connected to the people who make the Chicago running scene move - crew leaders, everyday runners, community organizations, and high school coaches. You vet partnerships to ensure we are working with people who have real cultural gravity and a positive impact on the community.
• Places: You know where the run actually happens. You identify the routes and hubs that aren't on a standard scouting report and ensure our presence feels like a natural part of those environments.
• Moments: You have a deep understanding of the key moments across road racing, high school track & field, and cross country. You also look beyond the official calendar to identify the local meets and neighborhood runs that carry weight in Chicago, creating experiences that get people out and running. 
• Community Pulse: You know the photographers, tastemakers, and creators who help tell the story of running in Chicago. You stay connected to the people who shape the conversation and understand the community values.

Who You Are

• You live the sport. You run and actively participate in the community. You know respect is earned by showing up, putting in the work, and building real relationships. 
• You understand Chicago’s neighborhoods and the different cultures that define them. 
• You act as an authenticity filter for ideas, and are capable of sharpening them to make sure they work for runners on the ground and in retail doors throughout the city.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in sport or lifestyle brands within brand management, marketing, or retail.
• Experience in event planning, production, and execution 
• Deep understanding of the Chicago market
• Proven ability to turn community insights into clear, impactful plans
• Experience collaborating with retail or sales teams
• Willingness to work the hours the sport requires, including evenings and weekends