Brand Manager

JOOLA is looking for an experienced Brand Manager with a passion for growth and interest in pickleball.

JOOLA was first established in 1952 and built a global reputation as a pioneer in table tennis. In 2022, JOOLA expanded into the rapidly growing pickleball scene and quickly attracted the biggest names in the sport. As an official table tennis sponsor for three Summer Olympic Games and the official sponsor of pickleball's top athletes and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the team at JOOLA combines its storied expertise with fresh perspectives to bring innovation to both sports. JOOLA creates a variety of equipment, apparel, and accessories for both table tennis and pickleball players, professional and recreational. With offices in US, Germany, Brazil, and China, JOOLA has a global presence and wide distributor network.

The Product Brand Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development, execution, and performance of branding strategies for specific product lines within the company, starting with Agassi x JOOLA Pickleball. This role involves working cross-functionally with marketing, product development, and sales teams to ensure the brand's vision is consistently communicated across all channels. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in brand management, product marketing, and consumer insights, with the ability to drive both brand equity and product sales growth.

Location: Rockville, MD (In-office)

Responsibilities:

• Product Development: Work closely with the Agassi team and internal product teams to ensure product assortment, features, innovations, and enhancements with brand strategy and consumer preferences
• Market & Consumer Insights: Engage with internal resources to support market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and stay ahead of industry trends, using insights to develop strategies that capitalize on customer needs, market dynamics, and growth opportunities
• Brand Strategy Support and Development: Coordinate with internal marketing team to support a comprehensive brand strategy and activation for Agassi x JOOLA Pickleball, ensuring alignment with overall company objectives and market positioning
• Brand Consistency: Act as a primary liaison between Agassi team, internal JOOLA marketing assets, and external agencies to ensure consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all touchpoints, including packaging, advertising, digital channels, and in-store experiences
• Product Positioning & Messaging: Develop and maintain a clear product positioning and messaging framework that communicates the product's unique value propositions to target audiences
• Product Launch Management: Work with cross-functional teams to support product launches, including go-to-market strategies, marketing materials, and promotional campaigns
• Sales & Marketing Support: Collaborate cross-functionally to develop sales tools and materials; support the sales team with global strategy and implementation
• Performance Tracking: Monitor product and brand performance, analyzing KPIs such as market share, brand awareness, customer satisfaction, and sales to assess the effectiveness of brand initiatives
• Digital & Social Media Engagement: Collaborate with digital and social media teams to drive brand awareness and engagement across online platforms, ensuring cohesive storytelling (including strategy with influencers and affiliates)
• Budget Management: Manage budgets for brand activities, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and delivering campaigns within budget
• Agency & Vendor Management: Serve as main point of contact and work with external agencies and vendors to deliver high-quality creative, media, and promotional materials that align with brand standards

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business Administration, or a related field. MBA is a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience in marketing, with a focus on brand and/or athlete management.
• Proven experience in creating successful brand activations and memorable consumer experiences.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing creative and effective brand and content strategies.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics in the sports and tech industries.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Track record in influencer and creator management, with the ability to build and nurture relationships.
• Event planning and execution experience, with a keen eye for detail and flawless execution.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to derive actionable insights from marketing data.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for pickleball and a keen interest in industry trends.