Acceleration Partners
Associate Account Director/Account Director, Affiliate Marketing
Acceleration Partners, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Position
Associate Account Director/Account Director, Affiliate Marketing
Responsibilities
Client Management and Engagement – Serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of clients, working to earn client trust and encourage them to grow and retain. Engages heavily with client contacts, showing curiosity about their companies and striving to know the fundamentals of their businesses as well as they do. Builds relationships beyond the initial client contact, makes in-roads with the client’s marketing leadership and brokering relationships with C‑Suite leaders when possible (CEO, CMO, VP of Marketing, etc). Builds strong rapport with client through both virtual and in‑person touchpoints. Skilled at anticipating and proactively addressing client risks and opportunities and owns client‑facing dialogue on risks and escalations.
Strategic Thinking and Implementation – Develops forward‑thinking strategies that wow our clients and encourage them to engage closely with AP. Ensures that high‑potential account opportunities are proactively identified, pitched and optimized with client buy‑in to capitalize on them. Regularly works with the account team to develop and execute innovative strategy, tactics, and efficiencies that meet and exceed channel and business objectives. Interprets program data to identify risks and opportunities; uses data to make strategic decisions and sell clients on those decisions. Pushes the team to operate with a growth mindset and take calculated risks when needed. Shows an instinct to know when risks are worth taking for the good of the account and excels at selling clients on new strategies. Delivers and oversees high‑quality client outputs including QBRs, strategy planning decks, weekly calls, and reporting.
Market Innovation and Big Picture Thinking – Stays dialed into the latest industry developments, leveraging an understanding of new publisher models and trends to support clients effectively. Understands clients’ industry/market trends and identifies how to capitalize on them and drive results for clients in any economic environment or business phase. Understands AP’s role as a partner to clients and is adaptable to clients’ changing business needs. Uses industry data and trends to pitch new opportunities to clients.
AP Revenue Accountability and Growth – Holds high accountability for reaching existing revenue targets and often exceeds those targets. Identifies potential expansion opportunities and leads the development, pitching and closing of those opportunities. Proactively monitors account renewals to ensure successful renewal rates and maximize opportunities. Manages financial accountability, monitoring and achieving clients KPI’s and goals. Understands AP’s various services and market opportunities and proactively identifies expansion opportunities. Confidently pitches expansion opportunities to clients, helping them understand why scope, geographic or service expansions will help them achieve their goals. Serves as an SME in new business pitches and participates heavily in the sales process to win new revenue.
Lead, Coach and Influence – Although not responsible for direct management of teams, leads by influence and excels at driving an account team to get strong results. Coaches, guides and leads Account Managers and teams to understand and implement new strategies and respond to client needs and feedback. Works closely with Program Directors across the portfolio to ensure account teams are delivering strong program performance and generating excellent outcomes for clients. Assists Program Directors to identify necessary hiring profiles for senior account team members. Comfortable with mixed-accountability and can influence strong performance without directly managing the team.
Ideal Candidate Qualities
Enthusiasm for client delivery and engagement
Enjoys the challenge of growing client programs and engagements
Commercially astute, with strong negotiation skills
Comfortable working across large teams with mixed accountabilities
Comfortable coaching and leading teams without managing directly
Self‑starter with a strong internal motivation to hit and expand on revenue goals and targets
Strong strategic planner; able to bring strategy to life to engage clients
Excellent at thinking with the big picture in mind
Innovative thinker with an enthusiasm to test new things
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Data‑oriented; understands the value of data to drive decision making
Has a deep understanding of the online industry and the levers to pull to bring success
Displays accountability, always meeting deadlines and keeping commitments.
Leads by example and knows how to collaborate and motivate team members in a remote environment
Has confidence, poise, and eloquence in client meetings and difficult situations
Thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys bringing order to chaos and sets the tone for the team
Can overcome roadblocks and take a solution‑oriented approach to challenges.
By 6 Months The Account Director is overseeing the strategic direction and outcomes of multiple affiliate programs. They have formed strong relationships with key client contacts and have a good understanding of their business and needs. They effectively coach the team to get required results without stepping into the weeds by providing on‑going positive and constructive feedback. They have a good working relationship with their Program Director and the teams they manage are running effectively delivering high Client Satisfaction Scores and good outcomes.
By 1 Year The Account Director is delivering against their portfolio expansion targets and ensuring 90%‑plus revenue retention within their current client base. Our clients lean on them as their strategic partner and feel excited about engaging with the work that is being delivered. Their clients love their Acceleration Partners team, all deliverables are A‑caliber, and Client Satisfaction Scores remain consistent at 8+.
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
8 plus years of online marketing, e‑commerce, or affiliate marketing experience required
General understanding of affiliate marketing experience required (direct or indirect channel exposure at agency or inhouse)
Proficiency in delivering compelling presentations, constructing impactful decks, and storytelling (or influencing a strategy) is essential.
Experience of managing revenue targets a plus
Experience of data analysis and effective use of data and insights to build strategies
Knowledge of general affiliate tracking methodologies via platform partners (Radius by Impact, ShareASale, etc.) required
Microsoft Office expertise – required
Experience in an Agency or Client Service environment highly preferred
Successful track record of increasing client spend through up‑selling and expansion efforts is preferred
Why Acceleration Partners Acceleration Partners is the world’s largest and first‑to‑market Partnership Marketing Agency creating and nurturing partnerships that drive exceptional measurable outcomes for their clients. Managing clients in 40+ countries, AP’s global team of 300+ focuses on data‑driven strategies that connect brands to the right consumers through affiliate and influencer. All of our work is supported by APVision, our proprietary technology suite which leverages the largest dataset of any agency in the partnership marketing ecosystem. Serving over 200 brands—including household names like Amazon, Apple, Target, Google, Marriott, Coinbase, and Burberry—AP’s diversified team is creating what’s next in the industry by building high‑performing partnership marketing programs.
Perks & 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 Wellness Breaks 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!
Target Salary is $100,000 - $130,000 + bonus, depending on location and experience.
Equal Opportunity Statement Acceleration Partners is committed to a diverse workforce and we are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
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Responsibilities
Client Management and Engagement – Serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of clients, working to earn client trust and encourage them to grow and retain. Engages heavily with client contacts, showing curiosity about their companies and striving to know the fundamentals of their businesses as well as they do. Builds relationships beyond the initial client contact, makes in-roads with the client’s marketing leadership and brokering relationships with C‑Suite leaders when possible (CEO, CMO, VP of Marketing, etc). Builds strong rapport with client through both virtual and in‑person touchpoints. Skilled at anticipating and proactively addressing client risks and opportunities and owns client‑facing dialogue on risks and escalations.
Strategic Thinking and Implementation – Develops forward‑thinking strategies that wow our clients and encourage them to engage closely with AP. Ensures that high‑potential account opportunities are proactively identified, pitched and optimized with client buy‑in to capitalize on them. Regularly works with the account team to develop and execute innovative strategy, tactics, and efficiencies that meet and exceed channel and business objectives. Interprets program data to identify risks and opportunities; uses data to make strategic decisions and sell clients on those decisions. Pushes the team to operate with a growth mindset and take calculated risks when needed. Shows an instinct to know when risks are worth taking for the good of the account and excels at selling clients on new strategies. Delivers and oversees high‑quality client outputs including QBRs, strategy planning decks, weekly calls, and reporting.
Market Innovation and Big Picture Thinking – Stays dialed into the latest industry developments, leveraging an understanding of new publisher models and trends to support clients effectively. Understands clients’ industry/market trends and identifies how to capitalize on them and drive results for clients in any economic environment or business phase. Understands AP’s role as a partner to clients and is adaptable to clients’ changing business needs. Uses industry data and trends to pitch new opportunities to clients.
AP Revenue Accountability and Growth – Holds high accountability for reaching existing revenue targets and often exceeds those targets. Identifies potential expansion opportunities and leads the development, pitching and closing of those opportunities. Proactively monitors account renewals to ensure successful renewal rates and maximize opportunities. Manages financial accountability, monitoring and achieving clients KPI’s and goals. Understands AP’s various services and market opportunities and proactively identifies expansion opportunities. Confidently pitches expansion opportunities to clients, helping them understand why scope, geographic or service expansions will help them achieve their goals. Serves as an SME in new business pitches and participates heavily in the sales process to win new revenue.
Lead, Coach and Influence – Although not responsible for direct management of teams, leads by influence and excels at driving an account team to get strong results. Coaches, guides and leads Account Managers and teams to understand and implement new strategies and respond to client needs and feedback. Works closely with Program Directors across the portfolio to ensure account teams are delivering strong program performance and generating excellent outcomes for clients. Assists Program Directors to identify necessary hiring profiles for senior account team members. Comfortable with mixed-accountability and can influence strong performance without directly managing the team.
Ideal Candidate Qualities
Enthusiasm for client delivery and engagement
Enjoys the challenge of growing client programs and engagements
Commercially astute, with strong negotiation skills
Comfortable working across large teams with mixed accountabilities
Comfortable coaching and leading teams without managing directly
Self‑starter with a strong internal motivation to hit and expand on revenue goals and targets
Strong strategic planner; able to bring strategy to life to engage clients
Excellent at thinking with the big picture in mind
Innovative thinker with an enthusiasm to test new things
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Data‑oriented; understands the value of data to drive decision making
Has a deep understanding of the online industry and the levers to pull to bring success
Displays accountability, always meeting deadlines and keeping commitments.
Leads by example and knows how to collaborate and motivate team members in a remote environment
Has confidence, poise, and eloquence in client meetings and difficult situations
Thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys bringing order to chaos and sets the tone for the team
Can overcome roadblocks and take a solution‑oriented approach to challenges.
By 6 Months The Account Director is overseeing the strategic direction and outcomes of multiple affiliate programs. They have formed strong relationships with key client contacts and have a good understanding of their business and needs. They effectively coach the team to get required results without stepping into the weeds by providing on‑going positive and constructive feedback. They have a good working relationship with their Program Director and the teams they manage are running effectively delivering high Client Satisfaction Scores and good outcomes.
By 1 Year The Account Director is delivering against their portfolio expansion targets and ensuring 90%‑plus revenue retention within their current client base. Our clients lean on them as their strategic partner and feel excited about engaging with the work that is being delivered. Their clients love their Acceleration Partners team, all deliverables are A‑caliber, and Client Satisfaction Scores remain consistent at 8+.
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
8 plus years of online marketing, e‑commerce, or affiliate marketing experience required
General understanding of affiliate marketing experience required (direct or indirect channel exposure at agency or inhouse)
Proficiency in delivering compelling presentations, constructing impactful decks, and storytelling (or influencing a strategy) is essential.
Experience of managing revenue targets a plus
Experience of data analysis and effective use of data and insights to build strategies
Knowledge of general affiliate tracking methodologies via platform partners (Radius by Impact, ShareASale, etc.) required
Microsoft Office expertise – required
Experience in an Agency or Client Service environment highly preferred
Successful track record of increasing client spend through up‑selling and expansion efforts is preferred
Why Acceleration Partners Acceleration Partners is the world’s largest and first‑to‑market Partnership Marketing Agency creating and nurturing partnerships that drive exceptional measurable outcomes for their clients. Managing clients in 40+ countries, AP’s global team of 300+ focuses on data‑driven strategies that connect brands to the right consumers through affiliate and influencer. All of our work is supported by APVision, our proprietary technology suite which leverages the largest dataset of any agency in the partnership marketing ecosystem. Serving over 200 brands—including household names like Amazon, Apple, Target, Google, Marriott, Coinbase, and Burberry—AP’s diversified team is creating what’s next in the industry by building high‑performing partnership marketing programs.
Perks & 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 Wellness Breaks 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!
Target Salary is $100,000 - $130,000 + bonus, depending on location and experience.
Equal Opportunity Statement Acceleration Partners is committed to a diverse workforce and we are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
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