Director, Talent & Influencer Marketing

Authentic Brands Group•New York, NY

18h

About The Position

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. As the owner of some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world, Authentic acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders. A digital-first, asset-light platform, Authentic sits at the intersection of culture, commerce and technology. It brings brands to life and cultivates fandom through powerful storytelling, premium content and unforgettable live experiences. Together with nearly 2,000 best-in-class licensing partners across 150 countries and an expansive distribution network, Authentic’s brands drive more than $38 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide. You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.

Requirements

7–10+ years of experience in talent partnerships, sports marketing, athlete relations, or influencer marketing
Deep understanding of the sports landscape, including athlete representation, agencies, and deal structures
Proven track record of securing and managing high-profile athlete partnerships and ambassador programs
Strong negotiation experience and fluency in contracts, usage rights, and talent deal structures
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical mindset with experience tying talent efforts to business outcomes
Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills
Passion for sports, culture, and the evolving talent landscape

Responsibilities

Define and lead athlete partnership strategies across ABG’s brand portfolio, aligning talent to brand positioning, product priorities, and key cultural moments
Build and maintain a global talent roadmap, identifying opportunities across sports categories (e.g., basketball, football, soccer, action sports, Olympics, emerging sports)
Establish a tiered athlete ecosystem (ambassadors, campaign talent, cultural partners) to drive both brand equity and commercial impact
Lead sourcing, outreach, and negotiation for top-tier athlete partnerships, including global ambassadors, capsule collaborations, and large-scale campaigns
Own relationships with key agents, agencies, and talent managers, positioning ABG as a best-in-class partner
Oversee deal structuring in partnership with legal, ensuring alignment on usage rights, deliverables, and commercial objectives
Provide strategic oversight on execution of athlete partnerships across campaigns, content, and activations
Partner with internal teams to ensure seamless integration across paid, owned, and earned channels
Guide creative direction and storytelling to maximize impact and cultural relevance
Act as a central point of contact for athlete partnerships across global regions, ensuring alignment and consistency in approach
Collaborate with regional teams (EMEA, LATAM, APAC) to localize talent strategies and scale global partnerships
Partner with influencer marketing, PR, and events teams to integrate athletes into broader marketing ecosystems (brand trips, retail activations, major events)
Mentor and manage junior team members, fostering growth and elevating team capabilities
Establish and refine processes for talent identification, contracting, usage rights, and campaign execution
Drive operational excellence, ensuring efficiency, clarity, and consistency across all talent initiatives
Define success metrics for athlete partnerships, including engagement, reach, media value, traffic, and sales impact
Analyze performance and provide executive-level reporting and insights
Use data and learnings to inform future talent investments and long-term strategy