Lead - Athlete Strategy Manager, Global Ultra & Trail Running

Location:Portland; Zurich

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Athlete Strategy & Partnership

In short

This role will play a pivotal role in shaping On’s strategy within the ultra and trail running spaces. As a Lead / Athlete Strategy Manager - Global Ultra & Trail, you oversee the whole sports of Trail & Ultra from the athlete’s perspective. You own our athlete trail strategy by identifying athletes, leading negotiations and the whole process of “winning” them for our brand and partnering with them during their tenure with On. You act as a middle point between the different x-functional teams on behalf of our athletes, i.e. product development (Footwear, Apparel, Accessories), Marketing (Storytelling, Social, Events), Product Verticals (Outdoor), PR and the regions. You secure 100% compliant servicing for our athletes. Your goal is to make our athletes more successful and continue to win in the field of Trail & Ultra for our brand - and create compelling stories on products + athletes together with the key departments internally and externally.

Your Mission

Athlete Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with On’s ultra and trail athletes, as well as Athlete Representatives. Act as a primary point of contact for athlete needs, ensuring they are supported in all aspects of their careers. Your strong network allows you to identify potential targets and engage them for our brand.
Collaboration with Global Athlete Strategy & Partnership Team: Work closely with the Global Athlete Strategy & Partnership Team to ensure athletes are being serviced properly and aligned with On’s global objectives. Share key athlete insights and feedback to help improve athlete partnerships and On’s offerings. Secure strong integration of Athlete content and activation in alignment with our Athlete Integration Department.
Execution of Athlete-Driven Programs: Partner with the Regional Marketing Teams to design and implement innovative, disruptive programs that engage ultra and trail runners. Focus on initiatives that foster athlete growth and build On’s brand presence in the ultra and trail running communities.
Event Integration & Activation: Help integrate athletes into key global events (e.g., UTMB, Western States, Golden Trail Finals, World Championships, DDF), ensuring proper athlete support, brand activation, and visibility at these events. Collaborate with the marketing and integration teams to drive athlete-centric content and activations around these races.
Strategic Project Development: Contribute to the development of new projects and initiatives designed to elevate On’s position in the ultra and trail running space. Leverage athlete insights and performance data to create disruptive ideas that capture attention in the sport.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with On’s marketing, sales, and product teams to ensure athletes and initiatives align with broader brand goals. Foster internal collaboration to ensure athletes’ needs are met, and brand initiatives are executed effectively.
Performance Tracking & Reporting: Monitor and report on athlete performance at major global events, tracking metrics such as podium finishes, top placements, and media engagement. Provide regular updates on athlete performance, engagement metrics, and the impact of marketing initiatives.

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Your story

Strong Network in Ultra & Trail Running: Established relationships with key athletes, coaches, and athlete representatives in the ultra and trail running communities, with a deep understanding of the competitive landscape.
Proven Athlete Management Skills: Experience working directly with athletes, ideally already in the space of Trail & Ultra, ensuring their needs are met and their careers are supported. Ability to manage athlete relationships in a professional and efficient manner.
Innovative Thinking: A creative mindset capable of generating new, disruptive ideas to engage the ultra and trail running communities. Comfort with experimentation and risk-taking in developing new programs and partnerships.
Collaboration Across Teams: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with global marketing, sales, product teams, and the Athlete Strategy & Partnerships team. Ability to foster cross-functional relationships and integrate athlete objectives into broader brand strategies.
Passion for Ultra & Trail Running: A passion for the sport of ultra and trail running, with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these disciplines. First-hand experience in the sport, or a strong connection to the competitive running community, is a plus.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel frequently for athlete events, activations, and partnership development (approximately 15-20 trips annually, both domestic and international).

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About the Team

We look after athletes from recruitment to celebrating their achievements and everything in between. Admin or mental and physical health – it’s a holistic approach to support.

Partnering with teams across the business, we give our athletes the tools they need to train, recover and race at their best.

We’re part of their journey every step of the way – our program takes a 360 degree approach, covering everything from wellbeing to life and media skills training.

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Nicola

Athlete Services Manager and former On athlete, Zurich

I’ve been part of On for a long time. As an athlete they took my input seriously, providing way more support than most brands do. Continuing my journey here means I’m part of that – giving back to the athlete community.

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What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.