Director GBS Strategy and Innovation

adidas; Colombia; On-site; COP 300,000,000 - 480,000,000; Full time

Job summary

adidas is seeking a Director-level leader for Global Business Services in Colombia to shape strategy and oversee cross-functional priorities within the GBS Hub. You will drive transitions, ensure program alignment, and mentor senior teams across markets and functions.

You will partner with senior leaders to design standardized methodologies, manage delivery excellence, and foster talent development. Fluent Spanish and English are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Solid experience from accounting and IFRS, both theoretical and practical knowledge.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Strong computer skills. SAP knowledge a plus.
• Must be able to develop staff and balance multiple priorities.
• Be a leader who inspire and influence.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Master’s preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• 15+ years experience in accounting.
• Fluent in Spanish and English

Responsibilities

• Design and steer cross-functional strategic priorities within the GBS Hub context.
• Support Hub Lead in strategic planning cycles, business reviews and executive presentations and respective communications.
• Lead transitions and key projects from functions/markets into GBS, ensuring alignment in roadmap, methodology and business continuity.
• Lead the Delivery Excellence team including the roles that used to report directly to Porto
• Lead change and communication efforts, leveraging GBS Comms channels and building community engagement.
• Act as a central point of contact for transitions and project management within the Hub, sharing best practices and success stories.
• Lead a central team of Senior Transition Managers and Transition Managers to transition services from functions or markets to GBS and/or delivery projects according to GBS practices and methodology, in line with the GBS Program roadmap
• Lead the design and development of and establish an effective standard transition and project management methodology
• Build the appropriate structure to be able to manage the respective organization effectively, identify and develop the future talents and create realistic succession scenarios for key positions
• Continuously monitor and evaluate team workload and organizational efficiency with the support of IT-systems, data and analysis and team feedback and make appropriate changes in order to meet business needs
• Drive the transition of processes and services from function/market ot GBS in line with the agreed roadmap and timelines
• Co-ordinate with Operations Centres, Market/Functional teams and IT to ensure smooth deliver of transitions
• Final Escalation point for queries and challenges coming from market/functional teams

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Staff development

Inspire and influence

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Master’s degree (preferred)

CPA preferred

15+ years accounting experience

Tools

SAP knowledge

Job description

Purpose & Overall Relevance For The Organization

At adidas, we have a very clear mission: “to be the best sports brand in the world¨; and a very passionate purpose: “Through sport, we have the power to change lives.” This guiding principles shapes how we operate as a company, how we collaborate with our partners, how we create our products, and how we connect with our consumers. Our values represent essential behaviors, reflecting a winning mindset we strive to see in every team member.

This same purpose and mindset are at the heart of Global Business Services (GBS) the team that delivers consistent, end-to-end business solutions across adidas. By driving process excellence and operational efficiency, GBS enables our partners to focus on what matters most: creating impact.

Within GBS the Direction of Strategy and Innovation is the main point of contact for GBS Global, Corporate functions and hub lead regarding strategy priorities and execution, Transitions and projects quality and on time delivery while leading and ensuring operation excellence through standardization and automation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and steer cross-functional strategic priorities within the GBS Hub context.
• Support Hub Lead in strategic planning cycles, business reviews and executive presentations and respective communications.
• Lead transitions and key projects from functions/markets into GBS, ensuring alignment in roadmap, methodology and business continuity (e.g., organizational transformation, sustainability, digital enablement).
• Lead the Delivery Excellence team including the roles that used to report directly to Porto
• Lead change and communication efforts, leveraging GBS Comms channels and building community engagement.
• Act as a central point of contact for transitions and project management within the Hub, sharing best practices and success stories.
• Lead a central team of Senior Transition Managers and Transition Managers to transition services from functions or markets to GBS and/or delivery projects according to GBS practices and methodology, in line with the GBS Program roadmap
• Lead the design and development of and establish an effective standard transition and project management methodology
• Build the appropriate structure to be able to manage the respective organization effectively, identify and develop the future talents and create realistic succession scenarios for key positions
• Continuously monitor and evaluate team workload and organizational efficiency with the support of IT-systems, data and analysis and team feedback and make appropriate changes in order to meet business needs
• Drive the transition of processes and services from function/market ot GBS in line with the agreed roadmap and timelines
• Co-ordinate with Operations Centres, Market/Functional teams and IT to ensure smooth deliver of transitions
• Final Escalation point for queries and challenges coming from market/functional teams

Key Relationships

• Senior leadership teams in market or function e.g.MD or SVP (outbound)
• GBS SLT
• Process Excellence leads
• GBS Program and Roadmap
• GBS Strategy & Business Development

Leadership Capabilities For Directors

This section outlines a Directors role and should incorporate the leadership framework behaviours as described above.

EXCEL

• Live your passion for the brand: Promotes brand passion and visibility by acting as a brand ambassador. Engages diverse communities and encourages consumer-centric thinking within the team.
• Act like it’s your own company: Drives sustainable growth by aligning local actions with global strategy. Identifies opportunities for improvement and manages performance with a lasting growth mindset.
• Think Bigger and Beyond: Encourages innovation by embracing new ideas and technologies. Fosters psychological safety, supports risk-taking, and views failures as learning opportunities.

EMPOWER

• Build a diverse team & foster inclusion: Creates inclusive, supportive environments by role-modeling collaboration and building diverse teams. Ensures equitable opportunities aligned with individual needs.
• Engage and inspire: Inspires and motivates through credible leadership and clear, engaging communication. Promotes health and psychological well-being across the team.
• Develop talent: Drives continuous employee development by recognizing potential, ensuring fair access to growth opportunities, and fostering a strong feedback culture.

ELEVATE

• Deliver results: Translates strategy into measurable goals and empowers teams to act autonomously, ensuring timely and impactful decision-making.
• Promote accountability: Aligns actions with company expectations, mediates conflicts constructively, and takes courageous decisions when necessary.
• Continue to grow yourself: Seeks feedback, promotes a culture of learning and knowledge sharing, and approaches growth with humility and curiosity.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills And Education / Minimum Qualifications

• Solid experience from accounting and IFRS, both theoretical and practical knowledge
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Strong computer skills. SAP knowledge a plus.
• Must be able to develop staff and balance multiple priorities.
• Be a leader who inspire and influence.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Master’s preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• 15+ years experience in accounting.
• Fluent in Spanish and English

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.