Principal, North America Media Relations, LA

Nike•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$130,800 - $276,000

About The Position

The Principal, North America Media Relations, LA develops and executes communications strategies that position Los Angeles as a priority cultural and storytelling market for Nike. The role also contributes to North America-wide media relations strategies, agency management, and earned storytelling initiatives. Its primary focus is broad media relations: developing and landing stories across traditional and institutional media, social-first outlets, creators, and other influential storytellers. The role creates and drives cultural impact and influence through consumer media, earned creators, sport and entertainment media, and community leaders in Los Angeles and nationally, with storytelling focused on the intersection of sport and culture. It identifies Los Angeles opportunities that can become broader North America earned-media opportunities and helps build audience strategies and experiences, cultivate new expressions of sport and style, and shape communications approaches for an evolving integrated-media and consumer landscape. The position works closely with North America Communications colleagues and Nike’s integrated, brand, and sports marketing teams, as well as cross-functional partners and external collaborators. The individual contributes throughout the planning process to help align strategy and execution, and may contribute to national events in partnership with teammates in New York City and Nike’s Portland headquarters. The work spans written, oral, visual, and digital communications and aims to create content, moments, activations, and programs that generate sustained earned and owned vitality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field, or a suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
At least 8 years of professional experience in fast-paced, high-profile media relations, communications, or public relations roles supporting global brands.
Extensive media relations experience and an active network across North American media, storytellers, creators, and influential voices in sport, business, culture, lifestyle, and consumer media, particularly in Los Angeles.
Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams, prioritize effectively, meet tight deadlines, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.
Deep understanding of the evolving media ecosystem, including social, digital, print, podcasts, newsletters, creator platforms, and AI-powered discovery.
Experience using audience insights, data, social listening, and cultural intelligence to inform communications strategy and real-time decisions.
Ability to influence and align senior leaders, peers, and cross-functional partners across a complex global and regional matrix.
Ability to initiate and lead ideation and develop creative, innovative, business-minded communications solutions at the concept stage.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complexity and communicate with clarity, confidence, and precision.
High cultural fluency and curiosity, with a strong understanding of sport, style, footwear, apparel, entertainment, and popular culture.
Proactive, creative, solutions-oriented approach; strong strategic instincts, relationship skills, and ability to handle ambiguity.
Passion for sport and movement, an eye for design and trends, and a deep understanding of Los Angeles popular culture.

Nice To Haves

Company or agency spokesperson experience.
Experience working on high-profile consumer brands.

Responsibilities

Lead Los Angeles media relations plans for key Sports Culture projects, including Sportswear, Training, and Entertainment Media.
Maintain and leverage a deep, diverse network across Los Angeles media, creators, entertainment, sport, sneaker culture, community organizations, tastemakers, and cultural influencers to identify earned-media opportunities.
Influence, align, and drive action across a highly matrixed organization through collaboration.
Develop earned-first communications plans, experiences, and activations that create brand relevance and cultural impact.
Identify Los Angeles stories that can scale nationally and contribute to North America Media Relations priorities.
Manage multiple complex workstreams, anticipate challenges, and ensure strong execution.
Identify emerging media trends, earned-creator talent, storytelling opportunities, and platforms before they reach the mainstream.
Work cross-functionally with Los Angeles marketing, sports marketing, the North America communications team, and external partners to deliver integrated storytelling.
Contribute at every stage of communications planning and help shape the direction of the Los Angeles communications team’s work.
Develop communications strategies and storytelling at the intersection of sport and culture for audiences in Los Angeles and nationally.