Job Description

Global Head of Sports Marketing - Speedo | London | Permanent, full time
We're Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
WHAT'S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?
Reporting to the Global VP of Brand Marketing, the Global Head of Sports Marketing is responsible for owning and delivering the global sports marketing strategy for Speedo. This role leads the commercialisation and activation of our athlete ecosystem, including athletes, federations, clubs, performance centres, and competition events, and ensures their seamless integration into brand, retail, and marketing plans across all key regions.
WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?
As our Global Head of Sports Marketing - Speedo, you will be responsible for:
Strategic leadership:

• Own and evolve the global sports marketing strategy in partnership with regional teams, ensuring alignment with overarching brand and business goals.
• Define and drive the global athlete marketing approach-positioning our roster as compelling brand ambassadors and cultural storytellers, while uniting internal teams to maximise brand impact.
• Lead brand presence at major swim sport moments, ensuring activations are disruptive, brand-building, and strategically differentiated.

Athlete & Partner ecosystem:

• Lead Speedo's global athlete marketing programme-from talent identification and contract negotiation to activation planning and ROI analysis.
• Drive commercial value across the broader ecosystem, including federations, clubs, and performance centres, through integrated campaigns, affiliate partnerships, content, and retail activations.
• Build long-term, strategic relationships with top-tier athletes and partners who authentically represent our brand values and purpose.

Cross-Functional collaboration:

• Work closely with brand marketing, social, product, PR, digital, and retail to embed athletes and partners across brand moments, seasonal campaigns, and product launches.
• Act as the global lead for Olympic Games planning-aligning product, sports marketing, communications, and commercial functions to deliver a cohesive, high-impact presence
• Ensure ongoing feedback loops between athletes and product teams, enabling continuous improvement through prototype testing, fit validation, and real-world performance trials
• Drive integration of athlete narratives into product and innovation storytelling, enhancing authenticity and relevance across design and marketing touchpoints

Budget ownership & ROI:

• Own and manage the global sports marketing budget, ensuring effective and strategic allocation across initiatives.
• Define KPIs, lead reporting, and track performance to continuously optimise investment and impact.
• Establish clear reporting structures to track athlete performance, activation success, and commercial return.

Team leadership & regional empowerment:

• Lead, inspire, and mentor regional sports marketing teams, supporting the execution of bold, locally resonant strategies.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and performance across markets and functions.
• Provide clear strategic frameworks and practical tools to ensure globally consistent, locally relevant execution.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?
You just might be our next superstar if you have the following skills and experience:

• Proven track record in global or regional sports marketing leadership roles, ideally within the performance or lifestyle category.
• Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills, with confidence managing relationships with athletes, agents, and key stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen, with a demonstrated ability to deliver measurable ROI from athlete, sports, and influencer partnerships.
• Inspirational and inclusive leader, experienced in guiding diverse, cross-regional teams
• Trusted stakeholder manager, confident in engaging senior leaders and securing alignment on major sports marketing strategies and investments.
• Confident owning Olympic and major event strategies, as well as executing locally driven activations
• A bold, disruptive thinker capable of challenging convention and elevating how sport shows up culturally.
• Strategic yet hands-on, capable of balancing visionary thinking with fast-paced execution.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health-related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle to work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco-friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we're committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.
We warmly welcome your application.

Skills Required