Program Manager - Gender Equity (4-year fixed-term)

Your Role in a Nutshell

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate, and experienced Program Manager for our gender equity initiative in Europe. As Gender Equity Program Manager at the adidas Foundation, you play a key role in leading the design, planning, and delivery of our gender equity program. Ensuring tangible impact and compliance with our mission and bylaws across the core pillars of People, Planet, and Relief, your responsibilities extend to the holistic management of funding processes, active contribution to partner selection, and continuous support of all stakeholders involved in program implementation. The Program Manager will ensure that the gender equity program effectively addresses key challenges, advances inclusive practices, and contributes to the mission of the Foundation to foster an equitable, inclusive, and just society through sport.

What Makes You Awesome

• 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, preferably within the nonprofit sector, who is well acquainted with project management approaches, grantmaking processes, and a fundamental understanding of planning and budgeting for nonprofit 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. Some experience with database and grants management systems is beneficial.
• Applies strong analytical, research, and creative thinking skills, demonstrating excellence in problem-solving and translating ideas into action.
• Fluency in English written and verbal communication and presentation skills, tailored for various audiences. Additional language skills preferred.
• 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.

Required Experience:

• Experience with using sports to address mental health issues or promote physical and emotional well-being in marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated experience in empowering women and girls, especially from vulnerable communities, to overcome gender-based hate and discrimination, with a particular focus on the sports sector.
• Experience in integrating anti-discrimination and diversity training into sports programs, including the development of educational resources or workshops for participants, coaches, and community leaders.

Your Future Working Environment

• Experience and thrive in a dynamic, true startup environment and be part of building a non-profit organization from its early years onwards.
• Competitive compensation in line with industry standards for the non-profit sector.
• Flexible work arrangements (based on 35 hours full-time) with up to 80% mobile work within Germany.
• 30 days annual leave plus up to 30 days working from elsewhere (subject to individual’s country of citizenship, work permit, and employer approval).
• Further perks include employer-supported sports & wellness offering, commuter support, and individual professional development.
• Continual enhancement of benefits during and beyond 2025.

Please note that relocation, visa sponsorship, and permanent cross-border employment are currently not possible.

Key Stats

Team: Programs
Direct Reporting Line: Head of Programs
Country of Employment: Germany
Duration of Employment: 4 years (fixed-term)
Office Location: Nuremberg (up to 80% mobile work within Germany per month)
Working Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time)

Your Fundamentals

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (e.g., Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, Public Policy, or equivalent).
• At least 5-7 years of experience in program management, with a focus on gender equity, women’s rights, or social justice.
• Minimum 2 years of proven experience of working in international setups with English as the primary language of business.
• Evidence of specialization in sport-for-good, sustainability, or topics related to international development.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter exclusively through our job platform. Please indicate if you are seeking a fixed-term contract (only available for residents of Germany) or if you are based outside of Germany and would therefore seek a freelancing contract (EU residents only). Applications will be accepted until March 14th .

Your Day-To-Day

• Lead the development and design of the Foundation’s gender equity program in Europe, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, vision, and values.
• Ensure that the gender equity program reflects intersectional approaches, considering diverse needs, including race, class, ability, and sexual orientation.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert on gender equity, advising internal teams, leadership, and external stakeholders on best practices, policies, and programs related to gender equality.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, funders, and advocacy groups, to ensure alignment and collaboration in achieving program outcomes.
• Act as a key relationship manager globally during the partnership cycle and project execution, collaborating with the Programs team and partners, and actively contributing to everyday decisions related to partner support and tracking project success rates.
• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and educational materials on gender equity for internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Build the capacity of organizational partners and communities to better understand and address gender inequalities.
• Conduct research and analysis on gender equity trends, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring the program remains evidence-based and impactful.
• Contribute to the development of reports, policy papers, and publications that highlight gender issues and program successes.
• Coordinate global project reporting, tracking, and ensuring the on-time delivery of reporting requests at high-quality levels.

The People You’ll Work With

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

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