Sports Marketing Asset Specialist

ASICS; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym & sports membership discount

Gear discount (ASICS & ONITSUKA TIGER)

Calm app access

Runkeeper Go premium

Wellness programme

OpenUp meditation classes

Working abroad four weeks a year

Hybrid work model

Job summary

ASICS is seeking a Sports Marketing Asset Specialist to own the handball and volleyball asset portfolio across Europe, reporting to the Head of Sports Marketing. Based at the EMEA HQ in Hoofddorp, you will manage athlete relationships, contracts, and activation strategies with autonomy and travel across Europe.

The role requires 3–4 years in international sports marketing, strong negotiation and budgeting skills, and a deep knowledge of European handball/volleyball landscapes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or equivalent in marketing, business, sports science, or related field.
• 3–4 years in sports marketing, athlete or sponsorship management in an international company.
• Proven experience managing sports assets including athletes, clubs, or federations.
• Advanced negotiation skills in a sports context with athletes, agents or rights holders.
• Budget management experience including invoicing and payable coordination.

Responsibilities

• Execute CPS EMEA sports marketing plan for handball and volleyball; oversee athlete/asset portfolio.
• Serve as primary contact for athletes, agents and consultants; ensure timely product delivery and satisfaction.
• Lead full athlete contract lifecycle with Legal, Finance, and markets; review contracts and obligations.
• Manage CPS sports marketing budget; coordinate monthly payments with Accounts Payable and prepare investment proposals.
• Coordinate with Global Categories, Product, Brand, and local markets on activation and priorities across CPS portfolio.
• Provide regular reporting on contracts, negotiations, and budget; oversee 3 CPS consultants across multiple sports.

Skills

Negotiation

Budget management

Athlete services

Contract management

European sports landscape

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business/Sports Science

Equivalent experience considered

Job description

Be part of a movement that moves the world

At ASICS, we’re more than just a brand; we're a movement. A movement of movement, propelled by the belief that motion strengthens the body and uplifts the mind. Our name itself, an acronym for "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano" (a Sound Mind in a Sound Body), encapsulates this commitment. Since taking our first step in Japan in 1949, our journey has been about more than just reaching the finish lines or clocking the fastest times. It's about the joy of moving and it's open to all.

If you're inspired to move yourself and the world toward a brighter, more inclusive future, we're looking for you. Here at ASICS, we welcome diversity in our people, their backgrounds and life experiences. So, you could be the right person for this role regardless of your age, nationality, religious beliefs, or gender identification.

Your role in our shared journey

Based at our EMEA headquarters in Hoofddorp, near Amsterdam, you will join the Sports Marketing (CPS) team as a Sports Marketing Asset Specialist, reporting to Santiago Martinez Ric, Head of Sports Marketing. This is a newly created role, built to take full ownership of the handball and volleyball asset portfolio across EMEA – athletes and teams – as the CPS programme grows in scale and visibility. You will manage three external sports consultants and work closely with your peer specialist, who covers the broader CPS sport portfolio.

ASICS is growing rapidly in handball and volleyball across Europe – from the Scandinavian and German handball markets to volleyball in Italy and France – and this role puts you at the heart of that growth. You will own athlete relationships from contract through to activation, work directly with agents and federations, and shape the sports marketing calendar across key European markets. The role offers genuine autonomy: within months, you will be proposing athlete signings and shaping strategy with your manager’s full trust. Be transparent with yourself: this role involves frequent travel across Europe and working weekends at live events. That rhythm is part of the culture, openly embraced by the team – and for the right person, it is exactly the appeal.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• SPMK Strategy & Asset Planning – execute the CPS EMEA sports marketing plan for handball and volleyball; maintain an active overview of the athlete and team asset portfolio; support delivery across European country teams as the programme grows.
• Athlete Servicing – act as the primary contact for athletes, agents, and consultants; ensure timely product delivery; track and maintain athlete satisfaction; support athlete needs related to performance and activations.
• Contract & Legal Management – lead the full athlete contract lifecycle in collaboration with Legal, Finance, local markets, and agents; prepare and review contracts; ensure all obligations and rights are met on both sides.
• Budget & Finance Management – manage the CPS sports marketing budget; control invoices and coding; coordinate monthly payments with Accounts Payable; prepare investment proposals for new athlete signings.
• Cross-Functional Coordination – work closely with Global Categories, Product, Brand, and local markets to align on athlete activation, product needs, and strategic priorities across the CPS portfolio.
• Reporting & Governance – provide regular reporting on contracts, negotiations, and budget status; manage 3 CPS sport consultants across handball, volleyball, and rugby; ensure compliance with SMSB policies and internal standards.

You have the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Science, or a related field; equivalent experience is considered.
• 3–4 years of experience in sports marketing, athlete or sponsorship management, or sports asset management within an international company (sporting goods or FMCG preferred).
• Proven experience managing sports assets – athletes, clubs, or federations – including athlete servicing, sponsorship rights management, and portfolio oversight.
• Advanced negotiation skills in a sports context: direct experience negotiating with athletes, agents, or sports rights holders is required.
• Budget management experience: invoice coding, monthly payment coordination with Accounts Payable, and the ability to prepare investment proposals for athlete signings.
• Deep knowledge of the European sports landscape in at least one CPS sport (handball, volleyball, or rugby); having practised sport competitively is a meaningful differentiator.
  High availability for travel across Europe and genuine willingness to work weekends and attend live events – this is a non-negotiable aspect of the role.

Nice-to-haves:

• Fluent English required; German is a significant advantage given the primary handball markets (Germany, Scandinavia); French and Italian are also a plus.
• An existing network of athletes, agents, clubs, or federations within handball, volleyball, or rugby in Europe is a meaningful differentiator.

Life at ASICS

When you join ASICS, you become part of something special. Here, your voice matters, your growth and wellbeing are important. We believe in fostering an environment where every step forward is celebrated, where diversity fuels our journey, and inclusion strengthens individuals. And together and as individuals we can inspire more people to move for body and for mind.

Our commitment to your wellbeing

We're dedicated to ensuring that every team member experiences the joy and benefits of movement. To support your wellbeing, we offer:

• Access to office gym and sports membership discount.
• Exclusive 50% discount on ASICS and ONITSUKA TIGER gear.
• Unlimited access to the Calm app for better sleep and mental fitness.
• Complimentary premium subscription to our Runkeeper Go™ app.
• A comprehensive wellness programme consisting of exercise and educational sessions.
• Professional support and meditation classes are available through OpenUp Access.
• Working abroad for four weeks every year.
• Hybrid working model. Combine the flexibility of working from home with the dynamic energy of an office environment (min 50% weekly office attendance).