Senior Manager Purpose- EM

PURPOSE AND OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION

• Building and driving the strategy for Purpose (People and Planet) programs across Emerging Markets.

• Build frameworks & operating procedures to assist the EM Clusters on the planning & implementation purpose initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement the company's Purpose "Through sport we have the power to change lives" across EM.

• Utilize Global and EM data and insights to drive Purpose initiatives across EM clusters and channels in collaboration with adidas Global Purpose, adidas Charitable Giving and the adidas Foundation.

• Represent EM Purpose partners in discussions with adidas Global and external parties, to drive brand and funding opportunities.

• Ensure all Purpose partnerships are vetted, and aligned with the adidas Charitable Giving policy.

• Provide the business with consolidated social impact report across EM.

• Actively secure and fully manage Purpose budgets across Global, EM and adidas Foundation.

• Contribute to EM net sales and market share growth by identifying and implementing Purpose initiatives that support EM commercial targets.

• Lead collaboration with EM DEI, Internal Comms and Brand teams to maximize efforts and grow visibility for our Purpose partners and work.

• Create Purpose volunteering opportunities for EM staff across all Clusters, in collaboration with HR.

• Build a virtual Purpose Workstream within EM to drive staff engagement on the topic.

• Support Clusters in the build and maintenance of their local purpose partner portfolio.

• Support clusters in activating their purpose partners to drive brand meaning & engagement.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Global: Charitable Giving, Purpose Marketing, Brand Marketing, Corporate Comms, SPOMA, Business Units. Support functions: Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Internal Comms, DEI. Support disciplines: adidas runners, adidas Football Collective, membership team.

• EM: SLT, Brand Partners, Brand Activations, Finance, Legal, HR, Brand Activation, Internal Comms, DEI, SCM, IT.

• EM Markets: SLT, Brand Partners, Brand Activations, Finance, DEI.

• Others: External Purpose Partners: adidas Foundation, Common Goal, GAiN.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Have a genuine empathy and passion towards Purpose work

• The individual must be senior in profile –

• Represent EM in budget negotiations and secure Global budget support for EM Purpose.

• Network on behalf of EM at internal and external industry conferences.

• Present on behalf of EM both internally and at industry workshops.

• Highly motivated with a strong track record in the management of adidas Purpose initiatives.

• Be well organized and possess a strong attention to detail.

• Knowledgeable in the Purpose landscape across EM, with direct partnership experience.

• Strong team player with experience in leading cross-functional teams and projects across clusters, making sure execution aligns with brand strategy, and is delivered according to the KPIs.

• Ability to work in an agile work environment.

• Mental flexibility, adaptability, initiative and determination, positive, creative, energetic personality, able to influence the agenda, problem-solve and inspire others.

• Languages: must be fluent in written and spoken English.

• IT skills: advanced level in Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/ MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree relevant to Brand management, Communication or Sustainability.

• Post-graduate qualification a plus (Brand management/ Communication/ Sustainability).

• At least 5 years relevant experience or evidence of having volunteered in Purpose-related work, working directly with sport-for-good organizations.

• Proven experience of cross-functional and collaborative working across Brand Partners/ Purpose/ Finance/ Comms across the EM landscape.

• Passion for adidas and its Purpose: Sport has the power to change lives.

• Industry: sporting goods/ retail/ consumer goods.

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE'S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

COURAGE: Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..

OWNERSHIP: Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.

INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.

TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.

INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company's standards.

RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

AT ADIDAS, WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT EMBEDDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) INTO OUR CULTURE AND TALENT PROCESSES GIVES OUR EMPLOYEES A SENSE OF BELONGING AND OUR BRAND A REAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

– CULTURE STARTS WITH PEOPLE, IT STARTS WITH YOU –

BY RECRUITING TALENT AND DEVELOPING OUR PEOPLE TO REFLECT THE RICH DIVERSITY OF OUR CONSUMERS AND COMMUNITIES, WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF INCLUSION THAT ENGAGES OUR EMPLOYEES AND AUTHENTICALLY CONNECTS OUR BRAND WITH OUR CONSUMERS.

JOB TITLE:

Senior Manager Purpose- EM

BRAND:

LOCATION:

Cape Town

TEAM:

Legal & Regulatory

STATE:

West

COUNTRY/REGION:

ZA

CONTRACT TYPE:

Full time

NUMBER:

536312

DATE:

Nov 21, 2025