ASICS Running Apps – Program Manager, Runkeeper Product

Kihachiro Onitsuka founded ASICS in 1949 to realize his desire to nurture the youth of Japan through sports and contribute to the development of society. Our founding philosophy, “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (A Sound Mind in a Sound Body)”, represents our wish for people all over the world to live healthful and happy lives in both body and mind.

The ASICS brand is especially well known for its connection to running and for producing extremely high-quality running shoes. To strengthen our commitment to runners, we are expanding our investment in running-related digital services, i.e. running event technology (Race Roster™), AI run-coaching apps (the ASICS Runkeeper™ app), and other exciting platforms that will help us better serve the running industry. Combined, these projects and products makeup ASICS Fitness Apps. 

Our mission?in the past, today, and into the future?is to contribute to a healthful and sustainable society and to bring joy to the people of the world through sports. Sports are an important element in living longer healthy lives, in feeling more fulfilled, and in crossing national and cultural boundaries to bring the world together. If you are looking to join a fun and innovative company focused on the booming digital health and fitness industry, this is the place for you!

Position Overview

As a Program Manager on the Runkeeper content team, you will oversee the strategy and execution for content within the ASICS Runkeeper™ app, and contribute to ASICS’ overall content strategy. You will be responsible for building an international team of coaches and other professionals, and leading them in creating localized content for one or more platforms across ASICS’ digital ecosystem. You will be relied upon to deeply understand the needs of Runkeeper users and the ASICS business, and to balance those needs as you make content decisions. You will also engage and build effective relationships with all key cross functional teams and stakeholders to anticipate needs, communicate decisions, and foster connection, collaboration, and alignment across the organization. This position requires flexibility as we respond to new business and customer requirements, while being able to quickly adapt to new strategies and priorities as they evolve.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy development for and day to day execution of running apps content to deliver a world-class experience to millions of runners
• Develop a clear vision for leveraging content across ASICS’ broader digital ecosystem to drive customer engagement throughout the running journey and, if required, execute on this vision
• Present content strategy and content launch plans to stakeholders across the ASICS organization 
• Partner with stakeholders across ASICS to create, lead, grow, and optimize international coach and talent network in producing global content that aligns with Runkeeper’s strategy, tone, and voice while supporting ASICS’ broader business goals 
• Grow and optimize international talent network to create high-performing content across ASICS broader digital ecosystem as required
• Plan and facilitate workshops between product, marketing, and other stakeholders to synthesize ideas and requirements for content launches
• Serve as lead producer and ‘editor-in-chief’ – including project management, overseeing and/or mentoring instructors on tone, energy, and instruction consistency, QA, and launch schedule
• Plan and direct photo shoots, video shoots, audio recordings, and additional forms of content creation as needed
• Analyze content performance to inform content production roadmap and product/marketing decision-making
• Serve as the internal expert for trends in running and fitness industries to inform content development and roadmap strategy
• Manage and train one or more junior manager direct reports 
• Inspire commitment, high energy, and positive attitudes across the Runkeeper team 
• Meaningfully participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives across the ASICS Running Apps teams

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of content strategy and production experience and 2+ years of serving as a project manager (or in a similar leadership role)
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with product and marketing teams to achieve business goals
• A demonstrated passion for health and fitness, innovation, and helping people achieve a sound mind in a sound body 
• Strong understanding of various media formats (video, audio, photo, etc.) and means of production for each
• Proven ability to develop strategic plans, communicate and receive buy-in from senior stakeholders, and develop an execution plan for agreed-upon deliverables 
• Proven ability to think about strategic problems both qualitatively and quantitatively, generate and present options, and facilitate consensus and decision-making among stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Proven ability to lead and manage others with compassion and help teammates grow in their roles and careers
• Proven ability to manage content production teams to achieve desired results
• Superior attention to detail, highly collaborative, proactive, adaptable
• Professional background in the running and/or fitness industry preferred
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work autonomously 
• The ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks and projects, and set, and meet, deadlines in a complex and fast-paced environment 
• High degree of initiative and enthusiasm for quickly learning new concepts and working with new tools and sources of information 
• Demonstrated commitment to health equity, antiracism, social justice causes, and community development.
• Comfort with ambiguity, and ability to adapt to change and remain upbeat under pressure

Bonus Experience

• Experience working in a technology or fitness company, especially a startup
• MBA or other relevant masters degree

Performance Measures

• Change in one or more metrics relevant to projects over which you have ownership
• Degree to which stakeholders (to include your teams and other ASICS teams) are aware of and aligned to your priorities and work
• Degree to which deadlines for feature delivery are met 
• Efficient use of time and resources
• Continuously learning and improving in your role
• Quality of work performed

The successful candidate for this role will become an employee of Race Roster North America Corporation (RRNA), a subsidiary of ASICS Corporation – a Japanese multinational corporation. Race Roster was founded in London, Ontario in 2011.

TBD

Personable, Integrity, Expertise, Trustworthy

Send all cover letters and resume’s to careers@raceroster.com

Tell us why you want to work at Race Roster and describe an awesome project or team you’ve worked on in the past. Include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject of the email. Please give us a link to your LinkedIn or any other portfolio website.

Race Roster is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, sex, place of origin, ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, creed, record of offences, genetics, disability, age, marital status, family status, veteran status, or fitness level.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the