Carlsbad Assistant Manager, Athlete Servicing & Operations (adidas Golf SPOMA) CA

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product creation and Sports Marketing teams bring together athlete insights, product innovation, operational excellence and authentic relationships to deliver exceptional experiences for athletes at every level of the game. The Assistant Manager, Athlete Servicing & Operations supports the adidas Golf athlete portfolio by delivering responsive athlete service and ensuring contractual commitments are fulfilled accurately and consistently. This role serves as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned athletes outside the PGA and LPGA rosters, including athletes competing on the Korn Ferry Tour, other development tours and collegiate athletes participating in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnerships. This position coordinates athlete product needs, payments, tournament access, travel-related support, event logistics and marketing activation requirements. Working closely with Sports Marketing leadership and cross-functional partners, the Assistant Manager ensures athletes and their representatives receive professional, consistent and timely support throughout their adidas partnerships. Through disciplined administration, accurate recordkeeping and proactive communication, this role strengthens athlete relationships, supports contractual accountability and enables the adidas Golf Sports Marketing team to operate efficiently while delivering meaningful brand and business impact. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Athlete Relationship Management: Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned athletes and approved representatives, ensuring responsive communication and consistent service delivery. • Athlete Servicing Coordination: Manage incoming athlete requests, establish priorities, coordinate solutions and ensure timely follow-through within established service standards. • Product Servicing: Coordinate athlete product requirements, sizing, preferences, orders, shipments and replenishment with Athlete Services, Product and Operations partners. • Tournament and Event Support: Coordinate tickets, credentials, access, gifting and other approved athlete support associated with tournaments, events and contractual obligations. • Payment Administration: Coordinate athlete payments, bonuses, reimbursements and approved financial commitments in partnership with Finance and internal stakeholders. • Financial Documentation: Prepare purchase orders, invoices, payment requests, reconciliations and supporting documentation while maintaining accurate payment schedules and records. • Contractual Service Tracking: Monitor assigned athlete servicing obligations, activation deliverables and deadlines using approved contract management records and established tracking processes. • Risk Identification and Escalation: Proactively identify missed commitments, payment discrepancies, sensitive athlete concerns and potential contractual issues for leadership review. • Marketing Activation Support: Coordinate athlete participation in product launches, content creation, social campaigns, appearances and other approved brand marketing initiatives. • Activation Logistics: Manage athlete schedules, briefing materials, product requirements, travel coordination, releases and activation follow-through with cross-functional teams. • Seasonal Planning Support: Maintain athlete plans, product priorities, tournament calendars and activation opportunities to support seasonal Sports Marketing planning. • Activation Documentation: Track athlete participation, content usage, deliverables and post-activation requirements to support accurate reporting and contractual accountability. • Athlete Data Management: Maintain accurate athlete profiles, contact information, product preferences, service histories, travel details and approved contractual obligation summaries. • Operational Systems and Reporting: Own daily updates to athlete trackers, team calendars, service dashboards, ticket inventories, payment records and outstanding action lists. • Business Reporting: Prepare recurring reports, presentations and operational summaries supporting athlete portfolio reviews, servicing performance, budgets and marketing activations. • Team Operations: Coordinate assigned team meetings, agendas, action logs and follow-up activities to support efficient communication and execution. • Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve servicing workflows, reporting accuracy, operational consistency and athlete experience through practical process enhancements. • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Marketing, Athlete Services, Brand Marketing, Activation, Finance, Legal, Procurement and Travel to resolve athlete needs and execute commitments. • Athlete Experience and Brand Representation: Maintain trusted relationships with athletes, agents and external partners through professionalism, discretion and consistent representation of adidas Golf. • Operational Accountability: Independently resolve routine servicing matters within established policies and budgets while escalating sensitive, high-cost or contract-related decisions to appropriate leadership. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience. • Minimum 2 years of experience in sports marketing, athlete services, partnerships, events, operations, hospitality or a related industry. • Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and service requests simultaneously. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional, service-oriented approach to internal and external relationships. • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial administration, scheduling, documentation and operational processes. • Ability to exercise sound judgment, independently resolve routine issues and escalate sensitive or complex matters appropriately. • Demonstrated ability to handle confidential athlete, contractual, personal and financial information with integrity and discretion. • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and ability to work effectively within a matrixed organization. • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. • Working knowledge of golf, athlete partnerships and the role of Sports Marketing within a global consumer brand. • Ability to travel domestically and internationally and work outside standard business hours based on tournament schedules, athlete needs and business priorities. • Fluent English, written and spoken. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE • Experience supporting professional, collegiate or emerging athletes within golf or another competitive sports environment. • Familiarity with the Korn Ferry Tour, professional development tours, collegiate golf and NIL athlete partnerships. • Experience working directly with athletes, agents, tournament representatives or sports industry partners. • Experience coordinating athlete product servicing, payments, travel arrangements, tournament credentials or high-touch hospitality programs. • Exposure to sports marketing activation, athlete appearances, content production or brand campaign execution. • Experience using SAP, purchasing platforms, contract management tools, travel systems or customer relationship management applications. • Experience maintaining operational dashboards, athlete databases, financial trackers or recurring business reports. • Familiarity with athlete endorsement agreements, contractual service obligations and sports marketing administration. WORK ENVIRONMENT This position is based in Carlsbad, California, and follows the adidas hybrid work policy. Employees are expected to work on-site Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. In-office attendance may also be required on Fridays for collaborative activities, business meetings or p