Program Manager - German Partnerships (f/m/d) (2-year fixed-term contract) in GERMANY

ABOUT US

Welcome to the adidas Foundation! We are an independent nonprofit organization with the mission to harness the transformative power of sport to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges worldwide. As an initiative launched by adidas AG in Herzogenaurach, we believe in the unparalleled ability of sport to unite communities and drive positive change in the face of global issues such as conflict, inequality, discrimination, and climate change. Envisioning a world where everyone has access to the life-changing benefits of sport and physical activity, the adidas Foundation strives to create a brighter future for both people and the planet. Through direct action, capacity building, and advocacy, we collaborate with like-minded partners across the globe to bring our vision to life.

FUNDING & IMPACT 

While maintaining a strong connection with adidas AG, our primary funding source, we operate with full autonomy to strategically allocate resources toward fulfilling our charitable mission. We drive impactful initiatives, including grants for nonprofit organizations worldwide, support local projects aligned with our mission and empower social entrepreneurs through grants and seed funding. Our collaborations with essential service providers guarantee the successful execution of initiatives, ranging from refurbishing community football pitches to conducting impact assessments. Our local initiatives in the greater Nuremberg area serve as a launching pad for global expansion, empowering communities around the world. Additionally, we actively contribute to research and advocacy efforts, furthering our overarching goals. By offering expertise and support to stakeholders within the sport-for-good sector, we foster collaboration and collective progress towards achieving our mission.

JOIN OUR TEAM 

As the adidas Foundation is celebrating its first year of operations, we are building our team to drive great impact. If you are passionate about leveraging sport for positive change and want to be part of a dynamic organization committed to making a difference, consider joining the adidas Foundation. Together, we can create a world where the transformative power of sport is accessible to all, changing lives and shaping a better future for generations to come. 

___________

YOUR ROLE AS PROGRAM MANAGER - GERMAN PARTNERSHIPS (F/M/D) (2-YEAR FIXED-TERM CONTRACT) AT THE ADIDAS FOUNDATION

As Program Manager at the adidas Foundation, you play a key role in the design, planning, and delivery of our program portfolio, specifically focusing on local partners and projects in Germany. Ensuring tangible impact and compliance with our mission and bylaws across the core pillars of People, Planet, and Relief, their responsibilities extend to the holistic management of funding processes, active contribution to grantee selection and continuous support of grant applicants. They will further support the identification of new program opportunities, cultivate relationships, engage communities, and stay informed on non-profit best practices to drive the adidas Foundation's mission and enhance the outcomes of our charitable endeavours.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a key relationship manager of German partners during fund disbursement and project execution, collaborating with the Programs team and grantees, and actively track everyday decisions related to grantee support and project success rates.
• Manage day-to-day funding processes for German-based organisations, from applications to program conclusion, and contribute to project selection in joint effort with the overall Programs team.
• Support the Programs team with scoping new program opportunities, conducting thorough research, monitoring trends, and leveraging strong analytical skills to translate ideas into actionable steps.
• Assist the Head of Programs and the MEAL team to ensure tangible impact and compliance with the foundation’s bylaws while applying subject matter knowledge across the core pillars of operation.
• Identify opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with the genuine needs of the Foundation’s target communities and partners.
• Stay up-to-date on German non-profit best practices, program partnership guidelines, and regulations, leveraging an effective network while actively recognizing trends and untapped opportunities.
• Assist with grant revisions, modifications, no-cost extensions, and budget realignments, collaborating with the Programs team to mitigate risks and maintain funder trust.
• Support Programs team during global grant reporting, tracking and ensuring the on-time delivery of reporting requests at high-quality levels.

Key Relationships:

• adidas Foundation’s Head of Programs, Programs team, Managing Director and broader team
• adidas Stiftung’s Board of Directors
• Program Partners, Community Representatives
• Non-Profit Organizations, Coalitions and Associations
• Funders & donors
• External vendors and consultants

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A results driven and self-motivated team player with compassion, integrity, trust, and perseverance, with a strong desire to work in a hands-on startup environment.
• A skilled program and partnership manager, well acquainted with grantmaking and fundamental understanding of planning and budgeting for program initiatives.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Skilled in participatory community engagement and intercultural communication, with a proven ability to manage and leverage effective networks within relevant sectors.
• Proficient in data management, monitoring and evaluation with the ability to assess both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring timely and quality reporting. First experiences with database and grants management systems beneficial.
• Applies strong analytical, research, and creative thinking skills, demonstrating excellence in problem-solving and translating ideas into action.
• Fluent in both German and English, strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, tailored for various audiences. Additional language skills a value-add benefit.
• A strong collaborator displaying sound judgment, tact, humility and discretion in building trust-based relationships across diverse communities and stakeholders. Culturally savvy with extensive interpersonal skills, committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requisite Education and Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (e.g., Social Sciences, International Development, Business Administration, or equivalent)
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in developing and managing social impact programs and projects, particularly in diverse and social contexts
• Evidence of specialization in sports-for-good, sustainability or international development related topics beneficial

___________

YOUR FUTURE WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Experience and thrive in a dynamic, true startup environment and be part of building a non-profit organization from day one 
• Competitive compensation in line with industry standards for the non-profit sector 
• Flexible work arrangements (based on 35 hours) with up to 80% remote work per month
• 30 days annual leave & opportunity of up 30 days’ work from elsewhere across the EU and country of citizenship (based on individual work permit)  
• Further perks include commuter support, health & wellness benefits and individual professional development  
• Continual enhancement of benefits during and beyond 2024 

Please note that this position is offered as a 2-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension. The country of employment is Germany. Relocation, visa sponsorship and permanent cross-border employment are currently not possible. 

To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process for everyone, only applications submitted through the LinkedIn Job Posting will be considered. In this context, we respectfully request all interested candidates to not contact individual team members directly.

Privacy Notice: By submitting your application via LinkedIn, you consent to the processing of your personal data in accordance with GDPR regulations. Your data will be used solely for recruitment purposes for the advertised position at hand and will be securely stored for the duration of the hiring process. If your application is unsuccessful, we will retain your data for a period of 4 weeks after the conclusion of the process, after which it will be securely deleted. Only authorized personnel involved in the selection process will have access to your information. You may request the deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at info@adidasfoundation.org.