Talent Lead – Europe & Middle East

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

_________________

Position Summary

The NBA's Consumer Group is responsible for driving fan growth, engagement and brand affinity across Europe and the Middle East through integrated marketing, content, communications and fan engagement initiatives.

Reporting to VP, Consumer Group, the Talent Lead will sit as part of the leadership function within consumer, alongside Marketing, Comms & Digital Content Leads. This role will lead the strategy, planning and execution of the NBA's talent portfolio across Europe and the Middle East, leveraging players, legends, creators and cultural figures to support fan growth, content creation, commercial partnerships and broader consumer objectives.

Success in this role requires a deep understanding of basketball culture, the creator economy and the evolving sports and entertainment landscape, alongside a strong network across sport, entertainment, media and culture. As a visible ambassador for the NBA, the Talent Lead will represent the league at major global events, building relationships and identifying opportunities that strengthen the NBA's cultural relevance, expand audience reach and drive business growth across the region.

Major Responsibilities

Player Engagement

• Define and lead the NBA's talent strategy across Europe and the Middle East, establishing the long-term vision, priorities and operating approach for how players, legends, creators and cultural figures accelerate fan growth, brand relevance and commercial outcomes.

• Manage day-to-day operations of player marketing and team talent initiatives, serving as primary contact for EME

• Organize and coordinate logistics when NBA talent travel to the region for promotional events and activations such as content.

• Own the regional talent investment strategy and associated budgets, ensuring resources are prioritised against strategic market, fan and commercial objectives.

Creator Strategy & Execution

• Lead the NBA’s creator and influencer strategy across Europe and the Middle East, identifying and activating talent that drives audience growth, engagement and cultural relevance.

• Build and manage relationships with creators, influencers, celebrities, talent representatives and agencies across sport, entertainment and culture.

• Partner with Marketing and Content teams to deliver integrated creator and influencer programmes across priority campaigns, events and content initiatives.

Global & Media Partnerships

• Partner closely with Global Partnerships (GP and  Global Media Partnership (GMD)teams to develop integrated player, creator and influencer strategies that support partner objectives and drive commercial growth.

• Identify and develop scalable player, creator and celebrity led opportunities that enhance partner programmes, unlock new commercial value and strengthen the NBA’s partnership portfolio across Europe and the Middle East.

• Oversee measurement and reporting across talent initiatives, evaluating audience impact, partner value and business outcomes to optimise future investment and performance.

• Proactively identify new opportunities to drive direct and indirect revenue through consumer initiatives.

Industry Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as the senior talent advisor to Consumer Group leadership, shaping integrated business, marketing, communications and content strategies through talent-led opportunities and insights. Including intergration with events and partnership leadership.

• Represent the NBA with senior stakeholders across agencies, talent representatives, media partners, brands and key industry forums, driving relationships that create long-term strategic value for the league.

• Cultivate and maintain a strong network of players, creators, celebrities, agents, agencies and key industry stakeholders.

• Monitor trends across sport, entertainment and the creator economy, ensuring the NBA remains at the forefront of culture and fandom.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the NBA ecosystem, including players, teams, basketball culture and the broader role of sport, entertainment and creators in driving fan engagement and brand relevance.

• Fluency in English language. Additional language skills, a plus (particularly French or Spanish)

• Ability to work independently in complex and dynamic environment

• Ability to develop strong relationships both internally and externally to execute successful events, based on stated objectives

• Expertise in project management techniques and application required

• Team-player, self-motivated and goal-oriented

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills required

• Broad knowledge of event marketing, experiential marketing, media, brand management, promotions - conception through execution and event management

• Willingness to travel significantly internationally

Experience Needed

• Minimum of 8-10 years of international event, celebrity and marketing experience

• A demonstrated track-record of managing European events

• Prior expertise working for a sports organization and supporting celebrity/athlete events, preferred

Educational Background Required

• Bachelor’s degree

Salary Range:

N/A

Job Posting Title:

Director

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.