Executive Integrated Marketing Communications

About GMG :

GMG is a global well-being company retailing distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport everyday goods health and beauty properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years GMG is a valued partner of choice for the worlds most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East North Africa and Asia GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports Dropkick Supercare Pharmacy Farm Fresh Klassic and international brands like Nike Columbia Converse Timberland Vans Mama Sitas and McCain.

Role Summary :
The Sports and Brand Marketing Executive is a dynamic hybrid role responsible for driving brand visibility authenticity and marketplace dominance across the MENA region. Bridging the gap between athlete management and consumer-facing brand execution this position oversees Nikes athlete ambassador and influencer partnerships while concurrently executing high-impact marketing campaigns to capture the holistic fitness and training surge.

The successful candidate will manage end-to-end athlete contracts and product servicing lead key franchise campaigns (e.g. Metcon NikePro) and forge deep partnerships with Tier 1 gyms fitness trainers and the broader running and training communities.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

-Athlete & Influencer Portfolio Servicing

Manage and maintain individual athlete and ambassador contracts ensuring accurate annual base compensation payments and full compliance with sponsorship agreements.

Serve the athlete by providing up-to-date seasonal product allocations store credits and forecasting high-heat launches across the region.

Collaborate with athletes for content creation storytelling and community engagement across digital and social channels to drive brand visibility.

Align signings and portfolio with Nikes Global Brand Strategy across key Fields of Play (Football Running Womens Training Sportswear).

-Campaign Execution & Brand Activation

Lead the end-to-end execution of the annual brand marketing calendar specifically owning crucial activations like Battle Cancer Mind Games and major running/training moments.

Manage the launch of key performance footwear franchises ensuring targeted product seeding to the right gym communities and strategic partners.

Localize global brand directives for the MENA market ensuring cultural and local fitness consumer relevance.

Ensure cohesive storytelling by coordinating with Retail and Digital marketing teams (e.g. Nike Dubai Mall Sun & Sand Sports Namshi).

-Community & Gym Partnerships:

Identify build and nurture strong relationships with key Tier 1 gyms studios and fitness trainers to establish an always-on brand presence.

Drive the Running x Training integration by working closely with cross-category managers to create unified consumer journeys (recognizing the runner is also a gym goer).

Manage the Trainer Network ensuring active brand advocacy and equipping trainers with the latest gear.

-Retail & Digital Alignment:

Collaborate with the Retail Marketing team to ensure Training stories come to life in-store (specifically at Nike Dubai Mall and key performance doors).

Coordinate with the Wholesale Marketing team to support training campaigns within key accounts like Sun & Sand Sports (SSS) and Namshi.

-Operational Excellence:

Manage end-to-end budgets for sports marketing assets and training campaigns against the annual market budget.

Oversee the storage and logistics of training and brand assets (branding materials weights mats) and coordinate with external event agencies.

Ensure operational rigor through effective PO raising and vendor payment tracking.

People Management :
The incumbent holds no direct supervisory responsibilities but is expected to engage effectively within their function and collaboratively across cross-functional teams. This role contributes meaningfully whether through operational contributions and/or by offering specialized expertise guidance and support to ensure alignment with either functional and/or strategic organizational goals and objectives.

Vendor Management: Manage external event agencies and production partners to ensure high-quality delivery of events.

Functional / Technical Competencies :
Event Management: Strong capability in organizing fitness events from logistics to consumer registration.

Community Building: Proven ability to network with fitness trainers and gym owners.

Integrated Marketing: Understanding of how to link offline events with social media amplification.

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple campaign timelines (e.g. coordinating Battle Cancer while prepping for Ramadan) simultaneously.