Affiliate Marketing Manager

Summary:
This role owns affiliate and partnership-driven customer acquisition with accountability for install volume and Marketing Cost Per Install (MCPI). It is responsible for scaling both performance-driven arbitrage and discovery-led partnership channels while ensuring incrementality and accurate attribution.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own daily performance across install volume and MCPI targets for all affiliate partnerships and assigned accounts

• Manage partner mix, rate economics, and optimization strategies to maximize profitability

• Lead negotiations, contract structures, and financial models to support growth

• Serve as primary liaison across internal stakeholders and partner teams

• Monitor performance, diagnose opportunities, and implement optimization strategies across creative, offers, and channel mix

• Build and grow relationships with key partners to drive acquisition and long-term value

• Develop account strategies including onboarding, incentives, and performance coaching

• Manage escalation paths including compliance, compensation, and customer experience concerns

• Deliver training frameworks and communication strategies to improve partner effectiveness

• Own affiliate tracking architecture across networks, sub-affiliates, and referral models

• Ensure data integrity across D2C and retail environments including Amazon

• Build and maintain partner-level performance and economics (CPA, MCPI, customer quality)

• Develop and operationalize incrementality testing frameworks

• Evaluate overlap between arbitrage and discovery partners and prioritize based on incremental impact

• Build and scale partnerships across discovery environments including editorial, commerce content, and review platforms

• Structure hybrid partnership models (e.g., flat fee + CPA) to improve visibility and influence

• Expand partner mix beyond arbitrage into demand-generating channels

• Track and assess performance across emerging discovery environments including AI-driven surfaces

• Identify influencing partners and translate insights into investment and strategy decisions

• Establish reporting frameworks and learning agendas for discovery channels

• Review performance regularly and lead ongoing optimization efforts

• Partner with Finance and Analytics on forecasting and partner-level P&L management

• Develop reporting tools and processes that improve operational efficiency

• Lead initiatives to improve scalability and cost efficiency

• Ensure FTC compliance and adherence to regulatory and brand standards

• Additional duties as assigned

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical capability with ability to manage performance against MCPI and volume targets

• Deep understanding of affiliate ecosystems and partnership-driven growth models

• Experience with attribution, tracking systems, and incrementality frameworks

• Strong negotiation and partner management skills

• Ability to manage multiple partners, priorities, and performance levers simultaneously

• Experience with affiliate platforms (e.g., Impact, CJ, Rakuten, Awin)

• Ability to translate performance insights into strategic action

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in affiliate, partnerships, or performance marketing

• Proven ownership of performance-driven programs with CPA/MCPI accountability

• Experience managing partner ecosystems and key accounts

• Strong analytical and Excel capabilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with influencer, creator, or content-led partnerships

• Experience with attribution systems and measurement frameworks

• Experience with retail media or Amazon Attribution

• Experience in subscription or considered purchase categories

Communication Skills:

• Writing, Talking/Hearing on the phone (Continually=67-100% of workday)

Environment Requirements:

• In office (Continually=67-100% of the workday)

Travel:

• Occasionally, less than 25%