Strategic Partnership Development Manager

Summary

Join Acceleration Partners as a remote Strategic Partnerships Development Manager, contributing to the growth of a global B2B affiliate program for an enterprise-level client. This role requires managing existing partners, identifying new opportunities, and executing strategies to increase revenue. You will be responsible for optimizing publisher performance, building relationships, and communicating effectively with clients and partners. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical and communication skills, experience in B2B affiliate marketing, and a proven track record of success in a fast-paced environment. This position offers a fully remote work environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• 5+ years business development or relevant work experience (including account management, contract negotiations, marketing)
• B2B Knowledge and ability to develop relationships a variety of partner types
• Expert knowledge of social media, mobile apps, and digital and mobile marketing
• Knowledge of the self-serve platform, auction, and biddable form of digital advertising buying
• Experience working in a sales or account management role with small businesses
• Proven track record of reaching and exceeding sales goals
• Experience in an account management/growth role
• Effective communication and negotiation skills with ability to push back without damaging relationships. Detail-oriented and persuasive
• Proven record of success in a goal-oriented, highly accountable, fast-paced environment
• Comfortable leading client-facing presentations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, a natural communicator and influencer
• Self-motivated and self-directed creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge

Responsibilities

• Contribute to overall revenue goal for Growth & Partnerships department, and the growth of managed clients, through the optimization of publishers, which includes but is not limited to paid placements, CPA increases, goal setting and tracking, and developing outside of the box growth campaigns
• Consistently updates G&P department relationship tracker with details on the partnerships they facilitate; updates client-approved placement tracker
• Be a trusted and knowledgeable resource; be an expert in verticals of managed clients; proactively leads conversations to lend expertise and knowledge across the org
• Identify new, high-quality growth opportunities for publishers and/or areas of opportunity based on client needs, industry evolvement; utilizes resources such as the Pub Dev weekly roundup and SimilarWeb
• Successfully optimizes with global partners in the program to increase their revenue contribution for the client
• Have best in class interactions and/or relationships with top performing publishers and has a trusted network of partners on behalf of managed clients
• Be comfortable with cold emailing; communications are clear, informative, and engaging. Ask relevant questions when speaking to publishers to vet opportunities
• Manage day-to-day communication with top publishers in program (when owning paid placements and optimization). Communication is managed independently 95% of the time
• Have a proven track record of identifying and executing upon areas of opportunity and optimization across program to drive revenue growth
• Participate in ongoing client and team calls; ask appropriate questions and have a clear understanding of client goals and KPIs. Join client in LA office periodically
• Create plan for partner growth initiatives that support the client’s program, including expected timeline for execution. Execute paid placement strategy, including negotiation of terms, campaign set-up, commission changes and coordinating communication with partners. Execute recruitment strategy, including list building, outreach template and tracker. Manage 95% of strategy without regular assistance from manager
• Adapt to change and pivots strategies to reach client goals; sets expectations and projects new goals when not achievable. Consistently able to communicate and push back when client goals are unrealistic without damaging relationships
• Consistently demonstrates intellectual curiosity; challenges the status quo, regularly pitching and gaining approval on new, innovative and or out of box opportunities. Always showcases the “why” and benefit the partnership with bring to the client based on data and/or relevant metrics
• Have a high level of knowledge across all publisher verticals; have a proven track record of addressing client questions and speaking to areas of opportunity from having a keen understanding of client and their competitors
• Dig into the why behind a no/rejection; pushes back and has a track record of successfully overcoming objections; provides suggestions or alternatives based on thorough knowledge of the publisher and overall portfolio
• Share initial projections and paid media placement results with client to determine if the placement added value to the channel and/or performance of new publishers recruited into program. Can manage difficult conversations with minimal support from manager
• Have a track record of sharing new ideas and best practices with the Partnerships Team and Client Services to reach client goals more effectively
• Know which issues need to be escalated and when; digs into the root cause and provides recommendations for next steps when flagging to manager
• Proactively shares ideas and issues across Partnerships org department and encourages others to do the same; provides upward feedback to appropriate leaders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Performance Marketing (particularly Affiliate Marketing) industry preferred
• Work from home and corporate office experience, a plus
• Has strong aptitude for identifying digital strategies based on publisher business models
• Quickly develops relationships to grow existing partners in client program
• Self-starter with a strong internal motivation to hit targets
• Experience in commercial role at a technology-driven company, media sales role (at a digital media publisher/platform/agency) or brand
• Experience in B2B affiliate marketing
• Experience working with SMBs with a deep understanding of their business and media challenges
• Proven knowledge and understanding of performance and acquisition marketing
• Demonstrated history of managing partnerships that require moving complex decisions through organizations successfully
• Personal track record of account management, success and ability to win the support of senior stakeholders
• Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical thinking
• Excellent communication skills to command an audience of senior stakeholders and bring partners and colleagues on your journey
• High attention to detail and an ability to analyze data and identify insights to drive business performance
• Proactive and collaborative attitude
• Growth mindset and passion to drive client’s business forward
• Passion for social media
• Knows how to collaborate with team members in a remote environment and across various time zones

Benefits

• 100% remote work for everyone
• Group medical, dental, and vision coverage insurance (with opt-out benefits)
• 401K with matching
• Open Paid Time Off
• Summer & Holiday company-wide shut-down weeks in July and December
• Volunteer and Birthday Time Off
• Focus Fridays
• Paid Parental Leave Benefits
• Wellness, Technology & Education Allowances
• Paid sabbatical leaves, donation matching, and more!!