Nike

Director, Sportswear Specialty, Japan

Tokyo, Japan March 12, 2026 Full Time Workday Recruiting

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

This role is part of Nike Japan’s Sales organization and reports to the Senior Director of Sales. The Sportswear Specialty Director manages five direct reports and collaborates with Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, Sport Marketplace Directors, and APLA (Asia Pacific Latin America) teams to elevate specialty retail and drive sustainable growth.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike Japan seeks an experienced leader in Sales, Marketplace Strategy, and People Management to serve as Sportswear Specialty Director. The individual must have a deep understanding of Japan’s wholesale and sportswear marketplace, strong learning agility, and the ability to turn consumer, product, and brand strategies into profitable marketplace plans.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strategic account leadership, cross-functional influence, and disciplined execution. They will drive sustainable growth by unlocking new opportunities, optimizing existing business, shaping channel-level strategies, and maximizing profitability with strategic partners in a fast-paced, multi-brand retail environment.

  • Minimum 9–10 years of leadership experience in sales, account management, or marketplace roles within the athletic or consumer products industry, including field sales, merchandising, retail buying, and business planning

  • Bachelor’s degree or related field

  • Demonstrate deep knowledge of the sportswear industry, including product innovation, consumer insights, and marketplace trends

  • Possess the vision and capability to deliver 360-degree business solutions within a complex, multi-brand and omni-channel retail environment

  • Exhibit exceptional communication skills in English and Japanese, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions and levels, and build strong relationships in a dynamic business environment

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

You will lead Nike Japan's Sportswear Specialty business, driving growth through strategic account leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and disciplined execution. You will shape partner strategies, elevate retail concepts, and turn insights into sustainable, profitable growth.

Lead and develop a high-performing sales organization, driving accountability and results

  • Own strategic account and marketplace planning, influencing senior internal and external stakeholders

  • Partner cross-functionally to deliver seasonal plans, go-to-market execution, and retail elevation

  • Drive forecasting, scenario planning, and financial decision-making to maximize profitability

  • Translate consumer and marketplace insights into actionable strategies across specialty retail partners

  • Navigate complex, multi-brand retail environments to deliver 360ﾂｰ business solutions

  • Champion clear communication and problem-solving to move the business forward with speed and discipline

Apply on company site

How to Get Hired at Nike

  • Apply directly through nike.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/nke and create a thorough Workday candidate profile — this is the single gateway for all Nike roles globally, and a complete profile ensures you're searchable by recruiters even for roles you haven't directly applied to
  • Decode Nike's category and acronym-heavy job titles before applying — understanding that 'NSW' means Nike Sportswear, 'APLA' is Asia Pacific & Latin America, and 'Athlete' is a retail sales associate ensures you're targeting the right roles and customizing your materials appropriately
Read the full guide

How well do you match this role?

Check My Resume