Associate Director Athlete Relations

Associate Director of Athlete Relations & Partnerships Axe Sports Group – Next Play Initiative (NPI) Location: Remote-First | Hybrid with Occasional Travel Type: Part-Time | 3–5 Years Experience

About the Opportunity

Axe Sports Group is looking for an energetic, relationship-driven Athlete Relations & Deliverables Coordinator to join our growing team.

This is a hands-on role built for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, communicates with confidence, and genuinely connects with people. You will be the face of Axe Sports Group when it comes to our athletes — the person they trust, go to first, and rely on to keep things moving.

Beyond relationship management, you will play a key operational role in tracking and managing athlete deliverables across active brand partnerships and NIL campaigns.

About Axe Sports Group

Axe Sports Group is a sports marketing agency specializing in NIL and brand partnership deals for college and professional athletes. Our mission goes beyond contracts. We empower every athlete we represent through brand building, financial education, mental performance training, and mentorship.

Our business is to build your brand. Our goal is to help you grow as an individual.

About the Next Play Initiative (NPI)

The Next Play Initiative is Axe Sports Group's university-driven NIL and athlete development platform built to deliver NIL education, brand readiness, mental performance training, financial literacy programming, and a dedicated NIL sales engine that generates real revenue for athletes.

The focus is on execution — driving partnerships, activating brands, and delivering measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

Athlete Relationship Management (Primary Focus)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for college and professional athletes on the Axe Sports Group roster
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with athletes and their inner circles
• Onboard new athletes and clearly communicate campaign expectations, timelines, and deliverables
• Represent the Axe Sports Group brand with professionalism, energy, and authenticity in every athlete interaction

Deliverables & Campaign Management

• Track and manage athlete deliverables across active brand partnerships and NIL campaigns (social posts, appearances, content deadlines, etc.)
• Follow up with athletes to ensure campaign content is submitted, published, and compliant with brand requirements
• Maintain organized records of athlete campaigns, posting schedules, and completion status
• Coordinate with internal team members and brand partners to align on deliverable status
• Flag and escalate missed deadlines or communication gaps proactively

What We're Looking For

• 3–5 years of experience in athlete relations, talent management, sports marketing, brand partnerships, or a related field
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — you connect with people quickly and they trust you
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple athletes and campaigns simultaneously
• Experience working with or around college or professional athletes strongly preferred
• Familiarity with NIL, brand deal structures, or influencer marketing is a plus
• Self-starter with strong accountability and follow-through
• Comfortable with occasional travel for events or in-person athlete engagements

What You Gain

• A front-row seat to the NIL industry at a growing sports marketing agency
• Direct involvement in athlete brand development and real campaign execution
• Flexible, remote-first work environment with meaningful in-person touchpoints
• Access to a growing athlete, university, and brand partner network