At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.
The Opportunity
At Designer Brands, we’re not just selling shoes—we’re building a community of style, self-expression, and innovation. As our Senior Media Specialist, Affiliates, you’ll be at the forefront of one of our most exciting growth areas: affiliate marketing. This isn’t just a role—it’s a chance to shape the future of how we connect with customers through strategic partnerships and creative storytelling.
You’ll lead the charge in expanding and evolving our affiliate program, working with a diverse mix of partners—from influencers to cashback platforms—to drive meaningful results. If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for performance marketing and a knack for building relationships, this is your moment.
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll be the architect and driver of our affiliate strategy, collaborating across teams and leading external partners to deliver results that matter.
Strategy & Leadership
- Design and execute affiliate strategies aligned with brand and business goals.
- Guide and mentor an external agency team, ensuring daily operations are smooth and strategic.
- Act as the go-to expert for affiliate marketing across the organization.
Performance & Optimization
- Report on weekly and monthly performance, translating data into actionable insights.
- Track KPIs like sales, ROAS, and incrementality to measure success.
- Use data to uncover trends and optimize partner performance.
Partnership Development
- Identify, onboard, and grow relationships with new affiliate partners.
- Manage a tiered commission strategy to balance efficiency and growth.
- Lead influencer strategies, including commissioning, product seeding, and flat-fee investments.
Innovation & Testing
- Build and execute a testing roadmap to explore new ideas and improve performance.
- Manage paid placements with affiliate partners to support key campaigns and events.
Platform & Process Management
- Own the affiliate management platform (Impact), overseeing reporting, billing, and commission setup.
- Forecast weekly spend and revenue for the affiliate channel.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with internal teams (PR, IT, digital, product marketing, finance) and external vendors to align strategies.
- Stay curious about broader media strategies (paid search, social, PR) to understand cross-channel impacts.
- Support other media channels as needed for a holistic media approach.
What You’ll Need
We’re looking for someone who brings both expertise and curiosity to the table—someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is excited to grow with us.
Experience
- 5+ years in digital media or retail marketing.
- 2+ years managing a mature affiliate program.
- Proven experience with affiliate platforms (especially Impact).
Affiliate Expertise
- Deep understanding of affiliate partner types: loyalty/cashback, coupon, influencer, editorial, CLO, etc.
- Experience with influencer networks like LTK, Collective Voice, ShopMy.
- Familiarity with cashback platforms like Rakuten, Capital One, Top Cashback, Cartera.
Technical & Analytical Skills
- Strong Excel skills for reporting and analysis.
- Ability to interpret data and turn insights into strategy.
- High level of organization and attention to detail.
Communication & Collaboration
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to build strong relationships in a remote-first environment.
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with diverse teams.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field.
Perks and Benefits You’ll Enjoy!
- Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi.
- Stride with Flexibility: We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
- Stepping Up Your Career: Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
- We are Shoe-Obsessed: Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you’ll enjoy 30% off at DSW & DSW.com, plus discounts across our family of brands.
