Senior Lead - Africa Athlete Manager

Senior Lead - Africa Athlete Manager

Location: Nairobi or Zurich, with travel required

Department: Global Athlete Strategy & Partnership
Reports to: Head of Athlete Management

In Summary:

This role plays a pivotal role in shaping On’s athlete strategy across Africa, one of the most important regions in global distance running. As Senior Lead - Africa Athlete Manager, you oversee On’s athlete partnerships in the region from the athlete’s perspective, ensuring that our athletes receive world-class support while building strong, long-term relationships with them and their representatives.

You own the management of our Kenya Training Camp, ensuring it operates as a world-class environment for athlete development while fostering strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and the broader local running ecosystem. You are responsible for identifying and recruiting emerging talent, leading athlete negotiations, and partnering with athletes throughout their journey with On.

You act as a key connection point between athletes and internal cross-functional teams including product development (Footwear, Apparel, Accessories), Marketing (Storytelling, Social, Events), Product Verticals, PR, and regional teams. Your goal is to help our athletes succeed at the highest level of competition while creating compelling athlete and product stories that strengthen On’s presence in global running.

Your Mission

• Athlete Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with On’s athletes across Africa as well as their coaches and athlete representatives. Act as the primary point of contact for athlete needs, ensuring they are supported across all aspects of their careers. Manage athlete communications, career development conversations, and partnership support while maintaining a strong network that enables identification of new talent for the brand.
• Collaboration with Global Athlete Strategy & Partnership Team: Oversee the management and strategic development of On’s Kenya Training Camp, ensuring it provides a world-class training environment for elite athletes. Maintain strong relationships with local coaches, training groups, and community stakeholders while ensuring smooth operations and a high-performance culture. Use the camp as a central hub for athlete support, collaboration, and talent development.
• Execution of Athlete-Driven Programs: Lead the management and development of On’s athlete partnerships across Africa, including key markets such as Kenya and Ethiopia, while exploring opportunities in emerging running markets. Build and manage a portfolio of elite athletes while ensuring alignment with On’s global athlete strategy.
• Talent Identification & Recruitment: Leverage a strong regional network to identify and recruit high-potential athletes across Africa. Lead negotiations and manage the process of onboarding athletes into On’s athlete roster. Develop long-term pipelines for emerging talent and future elite athletes.
• Risk Awareness & Athlete Integrity: Operate with strong judgment in a complex and evolving environment by proactively identifying and mitigating risks related to anti-doping, athlete safety, regulatory compliance, and reputation management. Ensure athlete partnerships align with On’s integrity standards and support athletes in maintaining the highest levels of professional conduct.
• Strategic Project Development: Contribute to the development of new projects and initiatives designed to strengthen On’s presence within elite distance running in Africa. Use athlete insights and performance data to generate innovative ideas that elevate both athlete success and brand impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with On’s marketing, product, sales, PR, and regional teams on site (e.g. Director of Africa, Head of Africa) to ensure athlete partnerships align with broader brand objectives. Foster internal alignment to ensure athlete needs are met and athlete-driven initiatives are executed successfully.
• Performance Tracking & Reporting: Monitor and report on athlete performances across major global competitions, tracking metrics such as podium finishes, top placements, and engagement impact. Provide regular updates on athlete performance, partnership impact, and key regional insights.

Your Story: 

• Strong Network in African Distance Running: Established relationships within the African elite running ecosystem, including athletes, coaches, agents, and training groups. Deep understanding of the competitive landscape in key markets such as Kenya and Ethiopia.
• Proven Athlete Management Skills: Experience working directly with elite athletes and supporting their professional development. Ability to manage athlete relationships with professionalism, trust, and efficiency.
• Strong Judgment & Risk Awareness: Ability to make sound decisions in complex environments while mitigating risks related to doping, athlete safety, compliance, and reputational considerations. High integrity and a strong commitment to protecting both athletes and the brand.
• Strategic & Operational Mindset: Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution, particularly in managing athlete programs and training environments.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with global marketing, product, PR, and regional teams. Ability to align athlete priorities with broader brand strategies.
• Passion for Distance Running: Deep passion for global distance running and athlete performance. Strong understanding of the culture and dynamics of elite training environments.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel frequently across Africa and globally to support athletes, competitions, and training environments (approximately 15–20 trips annually).

Key Success Metrics:

• Athlete Performance: Tangible improvements in On athlete performances at major global competitions, including podium finishes and top placements at key international road and track events.
• Athlete Engagement & Retention High levels of athlete satisfaction with partnership support and strong retention of top athletes within On’s roster. Positive feedback from athletes and representatives regarding the level of support, trust, and professionalism within the partnership.
• Talent Identification: Successful recruitment of emerging athletes from key African running markets who develop into world-class performers representing On.
• Training Camp Impact: Successful management and development of the Kenya Training Camp, reflected in strong athlete participation, positive athlete feedback, and performance outcomes linked to the training environment.
• Athlete Integrity & Risk Management: Effective identification and mitigation of risks related to anti-doping, athlete safety, and partnership integrity, ensuring that athlete relationships consistently align with On’s ethical standards and compliance requirements while protecting both athletes and the brand.

About The Team:

About On:

On is a leading performance running brand known for its innovative approach to running shoes, apparel, and gear. We are dedicated to creating the best running experience for athletes of all levels, from beginners to elite competitors. Join us and become part of a dynamic team working at the intersection of sport, performance, and innovation.

This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to On’s growth in the distance running space, playing a key part in the development of global athlete strategies and driving forward-thinking initiatives that elevate both athletes and the brand. If you're passionate about Africa and Distance Running and want to help shape the future of On in this exciting sport, we encourage you to apply.