Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team
NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.
NIKE is a technology company. From our flagship website and five-star mobile apps to developing products, managing big data and providing leading edge engineering and systems support, our teams at NIKE Global Technology exist to revolutionize the future at the confluence of tech and sport. We invest and develop advances in technology and employ the most creative people in the world, and then give them the support to constantly innovate, iterate and serve consumers more directly and personally. Our teams are innovative, diverse, multidisciplinary and collaborative, taking technology into the future and bringing the world with it.
We’re seeking a Lead, Vendor Partnerships & Innovation to join our dynamic, high-performing team focused on AI and Generative AI (GenAI) initiatives. This role is integral to the continued success and advancement of our Generative AI initiatives and strategic technology relationships. The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional experienced with AI technologies, a proven track record of managing partnerships, and the ability to drive innovation within the organization. This individual will be responsible for building trusting and meaningful relationships with our technology executives across multiple functions and ensuring the successful execution of AI-driven projects.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
You will report directly to the Director of Vendor Partnerships & Innovation in the newly formed Vendor Strategy & Business Management organization. You will work closely with peers in Vendor Strategy, Performance Management, Business Management, and stakeholders in the Global Domain teams alongside functional partners in Legal, Finance, CIS, and Procurement.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for a Lead, Vendor Partnerships & Innovation to join our dynamic, high-performing team focused on emerging technologies, e.g., new market capabilities or AI/GenAI, with both existing and new partners. These initiatives involve some of our most strategic existing partners for NIKE as well evaluating new capabilities, risk, and potential when exploring new partners. This role is crucial for driving the success and progress of our strategic initiatives, with the goal of accelerating growth and delivering exceptional value to Nike shareholders and Nike athletes*.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional with a strong background in technology and innovation, particularly in startups and emerging technologies. As an individual contributor, you will be responsible for managing relationships with emerging technology partners, ensuring we capitalize on advancements while maintaining IP protection, confidentiality, and compliance with Nike standards.
Requirements:
MBA or Master's Degree preferred in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or similar field, or relevant professional experience, education, and training; advanced degree preferred
Vendor Management & Commercial Contracts: proven experience in evaluating, driving commercial plans that inform negotiations, or managing vendor agreements or POCs
Technical Acumen: good understanding of technology landscapes, including AI/GenAI, IoT, and other emerging technologies or SaaS platforms
Industry Expertise: ability to conduct in-depth market research and analyze technology trends, identifying opportunities to integrate emerging technologies into technical roadmaps
Strategic Thinking: ability to translate problem statements and align technology partners with long-term business strategies
Stakeholder Engagement: effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
Excellent communication: ability to convey technical solutions and vendor capabilities to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Relationship Management: proven success in managing long-term relationships with key technology partners and vendors
Cross-Functional Collaboration: ability to effectively work cross-functionally with Engineering, Product Legal, Privacy, and CIS teams
Agility & Innovation: demonstrated ability to think creatively and thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Executive Presence: excellent presentation and storytelling skills, capable of articulating a compelling vision to executive leadership
Product Management experience would be nice to have - we don't need an engineer, but experience working with a technology team / technology product team would be helpful
Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
As a Lead in Partnerships and Innovation, you will serve as a liaison between legal, privacy, technology modernization, and security teams, overseeing processes from NDAs through to technology evaluation agreements and MSAs. You'll drive the evaluation, commercial planning, and the execution of vendor agreements to pilot and scale the latest emerging technologies ensuring accelerated speed to market and business impact. You will also collaborate closely with our Global Technology Domain teams and partners to ensure the selection and alignment of the best-fit capabilities to align with Nike and GT strategic goals.
Your work will involve conducting market research, staying ahead of technology trends, and fostering strategic partnerships to deliver high-impact results. Additionally, you will work closely with the broader Vendor Strategy and Business Management team to ensure consistent value and delivery to our stakeholders.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees and job applicants. We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.
NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.
NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.