Sr. US Community & Partnerships Manager, Running

Job Summary

The Senior Community & Partnerships Manager, Running partners with the VP of Marketing to shape and operationalize KEEN's U.S. running community and partnerships strategy in alignment with global priorities. This role leads the strategy and execution of key community, partnership, event, and activation programs that build brand presence, deepen consumer connection, and drive commercial impact across the U.S. market. Working closely with cross-functional partners, including the Run Specialty Business Development team, this role influences and aligns stakeholders to ensure programs are executed effectively and consistently across community, retail, and event touchpoints.

Essential Functions

• Lead race, event, and sponsorship activations, including strategy, planning, partner coordination, execution, and post-event recaps.
• Lead the U.S. running ambassador program, including program strategy, partner relationships, budgets, and deliverables.
• Develop and execute run club, grassroots partnership, and digital community programs that drive engagement and support long-term community growth.
• Lead community content capture and real-time storytelling around activations to support broader brand amplification.
• Create the activation strategy, brand experience frameworks, and playbooks for retail community activations and run van/experiential programs.
• Provide strategic oversight of community program budgets, agencies, vendors, and reporting, including performance recaps and recommendations.
• Partner with the VP of Marketing to shape and operationalize the U.S. running community and partnerships strategy in alignment with global priorities.
• Influence cross-functional teams and key external partners to align community activations with wholesale, Tier Zero, and key account opportunities.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field required.
• Seven (7) years of experience in community marketing, brand marketing, partnerships, experiential marketing, event marketing, or related fields.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Expert knowledge of run and outdoor community marketing, partnerships, experiential activations, and brand-building programs.
• Extensive experience leading race events, sponsorships, grassroots activations, and ambassador or community programs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Advanced project management, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing program budgets and prioritizing investments.
• Experience leading agency, vendor, and external partner relationships to achieve business objectives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate program performance, synthesize insights, and develop strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and standard business tools.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to satisfy motor vehicle record requirements.

Preferred

• Passion for and experience in the trail running, outdoor, sport, or lifestyle industry.
• Experience leading ambassador, athlete, creator, or community partnership programs.
• Experience developing retail/community activation strategies and wholesale brand programs.
• Experience leveraging digital community engagement platforms (e.g., Strava) to drive community growth and brand engagement.
• Passion for running, the outdoors, and community-centered brand building.

Travel Required: Yes, up to 40-50% of the time, domestically

Base Salary: $130,770 - $138,000

The salary range posted for this position represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Offers are made within this range based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, and market considerations. This is the hiring range for the position; compensation above the posted maximum is not typically available at the time of hire.

Work Location: Hybrid

This role is based in the Portland, OR area and follows a hybrid work model. Employees are expected to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of our Portland office and generally work on-site four days per week, with flexibility based on business and team needs.

Why Work at KEEN:  Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.  

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.

Fuerst Group, KEEN and Chrome are equal opportunity employers. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.