United States (remote) | Full-time | Up to 10% travel
Hamster Garage is a partner management agency based out of Chicago. Our expertise spans the partnerships and affiliates channel, encompassing affiliate marketing, AEO and AI visibility, brand partnerships, podcasts, influencer marketing, and more.
We work with leading brands that are in a high-growth phase, like Tesla, Coinbase, Slack, Uber, Xero, and Masterclass. Faced with an increasingly global client base, we are looking to expand our footprint globally as we look to expand our coverage and business model.
As an Account Director, you will own a portfolio of client relationships at different leading brands, and lead the Account Managers who run them. You will set the strategic direction for each account, hold the team to a high bar on quality and execution, and be the advisor clients turn to. Client results, retention, and account profitability across your portfolio sit with you.
You'll report directly to the Director of Client Success and work closely with the COO and the CEO, with a real hand in building HG: improving how we operate, supporting new business, and developing the people on your team. If you've led affiliate programs and teams at scale and want to shape an agency's client practice, not just run accounts, this role is for you.
Portfolio Strategy
Set the strategic direction for every account in your portfolio, making sure program goals tie back to each client's broader business objectives.
Analyze performance across ROI, ROAS, conversion rates, and partner performance, and coach your team to turn those insights into stronger strategies.
Oversee forecasting and projections so the team can track performance to goal and set client expectations early.
Bring new strategies to clients, including tactics beyond traditional affiliates, and win their buy-in to test them.
Client Management
Act as an advisor and the point of escalation for your clients, resolving difficult issues with solutions that reinforce HG's values.
Lead key client presentations, explaining strategic recommendations and growth opportunities clearly and persuasively.
Proactively seek client feedback and address concerns before they become problems.
Account Economics
Manage monthly budget-vs-actual hours for your portfolio, and share the story behind the numbers with leadership.
Own performance bonus calculations for client invoicing.
Track renewals and opt-out dates, and identify upsell and scope expansion opportunities.
Team Management
Lead a team of Account Managers and Associates, coaching them to grow in their roles.
Hold the team accountable to client SLAs and quality standards.
Manage performance, feedback, and workload across your team.
Minimum bachelor's degree.
6+ years of direct affiliate marketing experience with recognizable brands.
Hands-on experience with platforms like Impact, ShareASale, CJ, or Partnerize.
Experience managing and developing teams, including feedback, promotions, and underperformance.
A strong grasp of account economics, including contracts, SLAs, and keeping accounts profitable for the agency.
Strong Excel skills and fluency in metrics beyond revenue, like ROAS, incrementality, and LTV.
A track record managing client relationships, ideally with enterprise, Fortune 500, or VC-backed brands.
Experience running programs across multiple regions.
Agency or brand side experience
Exposure to influencer, podcast, or brand partnerships beyond traditional affiliates.
Strong PowerPoint or Canva skills.
Industry visibility through speaking, panels, or conferences.
HG brings an in-house marketing incubation team approach to Partnership Marketing. We exist because our founder worked internally for one of the largest tech hospitality brands in the world and worked with the top agencies in the space, but couldn’t find the talent necessary to meet the highest standards required by the best brands. Our mission is to provide best-in-class service and quality to our clients through top-tier talent and strategy.
If you join our team, you’ll be part of a fast-growing team that is passionate about marketing and be able to make an impact on not only your clients but the company. We’re small enough that you will be part of special projects and task forces to help build the company while working on client portfolios for some of the fastest-growing brands in the world, and helping them cultivate strategies on how to acquire users.
Skills Required
- Minimum 6 years of experience working with recognizable brands in affiliate marketing
- Proficiency with third-party affiliate tracking platforms such as Impact, CJ, and ShareASale
- Strong project management skills with a record of successful execution
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Experience interacting with publishers and high-value clients
- Strong attention to detail
- KPI-driven and results-focused with strong analytical skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting
- Ability to analyze extensive data, extract insights, and optimize client strategies
- Proficiency creating client presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint or Canva
- Resourcefulness and ability to independently research solutions
- Ability to develop creative and innovative user acquisition solutions
- Operational and process-focused approach to building scalable agency processes
What We Do
Hamster Garage is a Chicago-based partner management agency specializing in partnership marketing and customer acquisition. It manages affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, podcasts, influencer marketing, and related programs for high-growth brands such as Airbnb, Canva, Uber, Brex, and MasterClass. Founded in mid-2019, the lean, growth-oriented firm combines strategic guidance, campaign execution, and top-tier marketing talent to help clients grow and acquire users efficiently.
