Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing
Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing

Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing

Full-Time 50900 - 56700 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale the apparel function for Runna and Strava, from concept to launch.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing team revolutionising running training with innovative tech.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, and wellness perks like Headspace and private health insurance.
  • Why this job: Be part of a meaningful mission to enhance the running community and make an impact.
  • Qualifications: 4-7 years in apparel or sportswear, with strong project management and financial skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 50900 - 56700 £ per year.

We’re putting together a talented team to build the #1 training platform for Runners. We help everyday runners become outstanding by building an incredible app providing world-class training, coaching and community for everyone, whether you’re improving your 5k time or training for your first marathon. We’re growing extremely fast! In November 2023 we closed a $6.5M funding round led by JamJar with participation from Eka Ventures, Venrex and Creator Ventures. In 2024, we were selected by Apple as one of three global finalists for the 2024 iPhone App of the Year, reflecting the innovation and impact of what we’ve built and in 2025 we were acquired by Strava! Our ambition is huge: to become the go-to global leading training platform for millions of runners everywhere. We’re growing with purpose and looking for people who want to build something meaningful with lasting impact.

The Team You’ll Join: You’ll sit within Runna’s Brand Marketing team, while working day-to-day with Events, Social, Ambassadors, and external suppliers across both Runna and Strava. This is a genuinely cross-brand role, created following Strava’s acquisition of Runna, and is central to unlocking shared efficiencies, aligning ways of working, and driving greater impact across both brands. You’ll collaborate closely with Strava teams, while remaining embedded in Runna. Branded apparel is a critical part of the brand experience across both businesses. It’s not just merchandise - it builds awareness, brings our communities together, and is a meaningful driver of retention for runners across Runna and Strava.

What You’ll Be Doing: We’re looking for an Apparel Lead to own, build, and scale the apparel function across both Runna and Strava. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role. At this stage, you’ll be the sole owner of apparel, so you’ll need to get stuck in across every area—from strategy and planning through to day-to-day execution and delivery. You’ll be responsible for managing existing apparel activity while building the processes, structure, and ways of working from the ground up as the businesses come together and continue to grow. You’ll act like an owner - setting direction, owning performance, and diving into both the big picture and the small details to ensure both brands’ physical presence reflects the quality of their products and the strength of their communities.

  • Own and Lead Strava & Runna Apparel: Own the end-to-end apparel lifecycle across both Strava and Runna, from concept and item selection through to launch and post-launch performance. Work closely with Brand and Design teams at both companies to ensure apparel is on-brand while finding efficiencies across shared processes. Lead the development of apparel collections people genuinely want to wear - across training, rest day, race day, and community moments. Own supplier relationships, production timelines, and quality standards across both brands.
  • Build the Function: Operations, Process & Financial Ownership: Build clear, scalable processes from the ground up, aligning business needs, supplier relationships, and long-term growth. Own and improve Shopify and ecommerce operations where relevant, ensuring a premium customer experience. Take full ownership of apparel financials, including P&L, margins, pricing strategy, inventory risk, and forecasting. Lead inventory planning and stock management with third-party suppliers. Define and manage customer support and issue-resolution processes in partnership with CX teams. Use data, sales performance, and customer feedback to improve future collections and decision-making. Set high standards for organisation, timelines, and operational execution.
  • Apparel Across Marketing, Events & Product Experiences: Lead the marketing and activation of apparel across events, campaigns, and in-app experiences for both brands. Plan and deliver apparel photoshoots in collaboration with Brand and Creative. Generate apparel-led social content ideas with Brand and Social teams. Oversee apparel logistics for events, ensuring smooth delivery under pressure. Ensure apparel is meaningfully integrated into in-app moments (e.g. rewards, milestones, community activations).
  • Cross-Team Collaboration & Getting Stuck In: Work closely across Runna and Strava teams to align apparel strategy, timelines, and execution. This role requires a do-er mindset - you’ll be expected to roll up your sleeves and handle everything from strategic planning to smaller operational tasks.

What You’ll Bring To The Team: 4-7 years’ experience in apparel, sportswear, branded merchandise, or a related field. Experience owning projects end-to-end and building processes rather than inheriting them. Strong operational and commercial mindset, with confidence working on financials and P&L. Experience managing suppliers, production timelines, and inventory. Comfortable managing ecommerce platforms (e.g. Shopify) and analysing performance data. A natural owner — proactive, accountable, and comfortable making decisions. Strong communicator who works well across creative and commercial teams. Passion for running, sport, or active communities. London-based, able to work from our Vauxhall office at least 3 days per week.

Bonus Points If You Have: Experience working across multiple brands or businesses. Additional language skills to support international growth.

Salary And Benefits: We’re offering a salary of £50,900-£56,700 per year, depending on experience, plus participation in Strava's long-term incentive (stock) programs. Overview of our benefits is below: We’re also committed to continually evolving our benefits to support you as we grow. Here is a brief overview what we currently offer in the UK: Flexible working – we typically spend 2–3 days a week together in our Vauxhall office. 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (which you can take whenever suits you). Runna subscriptions for you and 5 of your friends. Strava membership! Headspace membership. Money every year to spend on gear, events and the gym! We’ll give you a voucher to spend on our website so you can buy yourself new Runna kit (and will renew this every year on your work anniversary). Private health insurance with Bupa and workplace pension scheme. Modern Health is a mental wellness platform and app that combines technology with professional support to improve mental well-being and reduce stress. Carrot fertility support - this benefits provider can provide inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits to our global employee population.

Please see more info on our amazing benefits here: Benefits at Runna.

Our Interview Process: Screening call with Talent Team (25-minute video call). Intro call with Fran, Head of Brand Marketing (Runna) and Lou US GM & Brand (Runna). Final round in London Office with a Take Home Task. ~1h30 in-person to present task to Fran, Lou and Maya, Brand Director (Strava) and then meet Ben, Co-Founder of Runna. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to better accommodate you throughout the interview process - this can be from scheduling interviews around childcare commitments to accessibility requirements. We want you to show your best self in the process, so please speak to your Talent Partner.

Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing employer: Runna

Runna is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, especially in the dynamic field of brand marketing for apparel. With flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and unique benefits like Runna subscriptions and Strava memberships, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The recent acquisition by Strava not only enhances growth opportunities but also positions Runna as a leader in the running community, making it an exciting time to join a team dedicated to building something meaningful.
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Contact Detail:

Runna Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially how they relate to running and community engagement. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Apparel Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing apparel projects and your passion for sportswear. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of supporting runners everywhere.

We think you need these skills to ace Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing

Apparel Management
Brand Marketing
Project Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Ecommerce Operations
Financial Analysis
Inventory Management
Data Analysis
Cross-Team Collaboration
Strategic Planning
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Creativity in Marketing
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for running and sports shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to support everyday runners. Share any personal experiences that connect you to the role.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in apparel management and brand marketing, and show us how you can contribute to both Runna and Strava. We love seeing candidates who take the time to align their skills with our needs!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Apparel Manager position. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Runna

✨Know Your Apparel Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends in apparel and sportswear. Familiarise yourself with both Runna and Strava’s current collections and think about how you can contribute to their brand identity. This will show your passion and understanding of the role.

✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Be ready to discuss specific examples of projects you've managed from start to finish. Highlight your experience in building processes and managing supplier relationships. This is crucial for the Apparel Manager role, so prepare to demonstrate your operational mindset and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past.

✨Prepare for Cross-Team Collaboration Questions

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think about how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your communication skills and ability to align different stakeholders towards a common goal. This will help you stand out as a team player.

✨Bring Data to the Table

Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. Whether it’s sales performance or customer feedback, showing that you can analyse and leverage data will be key to demonstrating your fit for the position. Think of specific metrics or outcomes you’ve achieved through data-driven strategies.

Apparel Manager, Brand Marketing
Runna

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