Who We Are
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.
Why Authentic
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.
What You’ll Do
The Director, Talent Partnerships will lead the development and execution of athlete-driven talent strategies across Authentic Brands Group’s global portfolio. As part of the centralized Talent & Influencer Marketing function, this role will be responsible for shaping how ABG partners with athletes and sports talent to drive cultural relevance, brand equity, and measurable business impact.
This individual will oversee high-profile athlete partnerships, guide long-term ambassador strategies, and serve as a key cross-functional leader—working closely with brand marketing, PR, social, legal, and regional teams. The Director will also play a critical role in mentoring junior team members and establishing best-in-class processes for athlete engagement across the organization. The role reports into the VP of Talent & Influencer Marketing.
What you’ll be working on
Talent Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
- 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
Partnership Development & Negotiation
- 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
Campaign & Execution Oversight
- 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
Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- 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)
Leadership & Process Development
- 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
Measurement & Business Impact
- 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
Must Haves
- 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
Primary Location Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000
Fraud Alert: Unauthorized Job Offers and Impersonations
We have been made aware of fraudulent job offers and interview requests being sent by individuals falsely claiming to represent Authentic. These scams are often initiated via email, employment websites and social media, and may include fake interview requests, offer letters or attempts to collect personal and financial information.
Please note:
- All legitimate Authentic job postings can be found only on our official website (authentic.com) or through our verified LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareauthentic).
- Authentic does not conduct interviews over Teams or Zoom without prior email correspondence from a verified @authentic.com email address.
- We will never ask you for sensitive personal information, payment or banking details as part of the hiring process.
If you believe you've been contacted by someone impersonating an Authentic team member, please report it immediately by emailing peopleandculture@authentic.com.
Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.
For individuals with disabilities or religious obligations who would like to request an accommodation, please contact talent@authentic.com
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