Director, Sports Partnerships

Crocs, Inc.•Westminster, CO

2d•$160,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Crocs, Inc., every career offers a chance to make a real impact. No two journeys look the same. And that's exactly how we like it. Whether you’re welcoming customers into our stores, collaborating with global teams at our headquarters, or keeping operations moving at our distribution centers, your impact is real and valued. At Crocs, Inc. you’re not expected to fit a mold. You’re encouraged to break it and create something better. Overview We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director, Sports Partnerships, to lead the strategy, development, and execution of licensed product opportunities across sports properties. This leader will lead and create the end-to-end business goals, from consumer insight, assortment strategy, licensing, and product creation through go-to-market execution and performance management. The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on experience working with the sports leagues including NFL, understands their distinct fan communities and licensing requirements, and can translate cultural moments, sports seasons, entertainment releases, and collector behavior into compelling products and commercial growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising, product development, or equivalent experience; MBA preferred.
10+ years of experience in product category management, merchandising, licensing, with 3+ years of leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience directly leading sports licensed businesses, product programs, partnerships, or go-to-market initiatives.
Deep knowledge of sports fandom, league and club licensing, seasonal sports calendars, and sports merchandise.
Established relationships with sports partners, including NFL and Fanatics collaborators.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex, multi-season product pipelines and approval processes.
Data-driven, with strong analytical, critical thinking, negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills.
Ability to work with urgency, thrive in ambiguity, operate independently, and present confidently to executive leadership.
Ability to travel domestically or internationally as required.
Experience developing licensed footwear, apparel, accessories, collectibles, toys, trading cards, limited-edition merchandise, or personalization products for sports fan consumers.
Track record of building fan-first product strategies tied to sports events, team moments, cultural achievements, or collector engagement.
Experience leading end-to-end product creation and global go-to-market processes for a consumer brand.

Responsibilities

Define and complete global sports strategy for future growth that improves Crocs brand priorities, product extensions, storytelling, and distribution opportunities.
Implement the global sports product and assortment roadmaps, aligned with Crocs brand, personalization, and self-expression strategies.
Develop differentiated strategies for each property based on fan insights, franchise priorities, key seasonal moments, and regional growth opportunities.
Identify emerging trends to drive innovation and engagement.
Own strategic relationships with licensors. Routinely engage with them to learn about priorities, tentpole moments and identity white space opportunities for Crocs.
Lead the end-to-end product creation lifecycle in partnership with design, development, merchandising, and planning teams.
Translate IP assets into authentic, brand-right products and experiences.
Partner with external teams to develop exclusive product concepts that meet quality, timing, and approval requirements and vision for the partnership.
Create original product merchandising, pricing, channel, and SKU strategies for the NFL and Pokémon businesses in partnership with the Global Merchandising team and Regional Merchandising teams.
Monitor sales, inventory, consumer response, and product performance to find opportunities and optimize results across markets and channels with Global Planning team.
Work closely with marketing, e-commerce, retail, wholesale, and regional teams to build launches and campaigns around major sports moments.
Build product storytelling and positioning that resonates with sports fans, gamers, collectors, families, and wider interest groups.