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 world's 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 Sita's, 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 Nike's 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 Nike's Global Brand Strategy across key Fields of Play (Football, Running, Women's 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.