adidas Activation Manager

Location: Portland, OR preferred (Hybrid, 2 to 3 days onsite at adidas HQ). Travel to U.S. retail stores expected. Team: Client Services – adidas Program

Reports to: Manager, Retail Activation (adidas), functional lead; on ThirdChannel payroll Employment Type: Full-Time

About ThirdChannel

ThirdChannel helps brands deploy their best advocates into the marketplace through a technology-first platform connecting brands, retailers, and field teams.

About the Role

ThirdChannel is hiring an adidas Activation Manager, DTC Retail Marketing to lead the development and execution of retail marketing plans across adidas’ U.S. retail footprint of roughly 200 stores. Sitting within the Retail Traffic and Activation team, this role is the marketing engine behind the in-store experience — driving high-quality traffic, conversion, average transaction value, and member acquisition and retention through flawlessly executed, consumer-relevant programs at every location.

This is a ThirdChannel-employed role embedded with adidas. You will report functionally to adidas’ Manager, Retail Activation while sitting administratively within ThirdChannel’s Client Services organization. Day to day, you will own seasonal planning, CRM and app activations, promotions, retail events, and the creative briefs that bring them to life across the U.S. fleet — partnering closely with US and Global Brand Marketing, store and regional teams, and external agency partners. Success looks like consistently met monthly traffic and sales goals across stores, well-coordinated activations that feel premium and on-brand at every location, and a steady stream of community partnerships that keep adidas top-of-mind in the markets we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Seasonal Retail Marketing Planning

Support the development of seasonal Retail Marketing plans across adidas’ U.S. retail fleet, ensuring alignment with US and Global Brand Marketing priorities. Translate seasonal brand moments into store-level plans that hit traffic, conversion, ATV, and membership goals across markets.

Activation, CRM & App Execution

Coordinate and manage the planning and implementation of all U.S. retail store activation activities, including CRM, the adidas app, in-store activations, new store openings, promotions, retail events, and ongoing campaign execution. Own the end-to-end execution path so activations land consistently, on-brand, and on-time across every store.

Traffic Planning & Sales Goal Delivery

Lead traffic planning and execution to meet monthly traffic and sales goals across the U.S. footprint. Partner with store and regional teams to align marketing activity with operational readiness and the seasonal calendar, and adjust mid-flight when performance signals demand it.

Performance Forecasting & Optimization

Forecast, track, analyze, and optimize coupon and activation performance across stores, reporting on results and making clear recommendations for adjustments. Translate fleet-level data into a prioritized test-and-learn roadmap that compounds wins season over season.

Creative Briefing & Brand Standards

Own timelines, briefing, and approval of creative needs to ensure best-in-class presentation and maximum impact at every store. Write clear, strategic creative briefs and steward work through approval to protect adidas brand standards and a premium consumer experience across markets.

Community Partnerships & B2B Development

Identify and develop new B2B opportunities and partnerships in the markets and communities where adidas stores operate, driving incremental traffic, member acquisition, and brand affinity. Build durable local and national relationships that extend each store’s reach beyond its four walls.

Budget & Vendor Management

Support budget management including PO execution, reconciliation, and forecasting. Manage internal resources and external agency partners as assigned, holding scope, timelines, and deliverables to a high standard.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

Partner across US Brand Marketing, retail operations, digital, CRM, store and regional teams, and external agencies to keep work aligned and moving. Communicate up and across with clarity, manage expectations, and deliver effective, persuasive presentations that support business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 2 to 3 years of marketing experience, preferably with a sporting, digital, or consumer goods company, or equivalent experience at an agency.
• Experience supporting multi-location or multi-store retail programs is a strong plus; enterprise footprints of 100+ stores especially so.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clear, strategic creative briefs and deliver effective, persuasive presentations that support business decisions.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and project management skills, with the ability to identify and deliver against priorities with a high level of autonomy.

• Proven ability to develop innovative marketing strategies and tactics that drive creativity while maintaining ROI.
• Innovative mindset and a strong understanding of what it takes to create a premium consumer experience.
• Excellent time-management and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage up and build durable cross-functional relationships across HQ, regional, and store teams.
• Experience coordinating retail events, activations, or in-store programs is a plus.
• Understanding of the sporting goods industry and related retail channels is a plus.
• Comfortable using good judgement and making decisions with limited direction.
• Ability and willingness to travel by car and air domestically to support stores across the U.S. footprint.
• Portland, OR preferred; able to be onsite at adidas’ Portland HQ on a hybrid cadence (typically 2 to 3 days per week).

Why ThirdChannel?

• Competitive salary ($80–$100K), based on location and experience

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision, and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off, plus a Company Holiday Calendar
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Opportunity to work embedded with one of the world’s most iconic sport brands, at the intersection of retail, technology, and workforce innovation