Affiliate Associate Account Director

About Us 

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn 'action' into 'outcome' for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning performance marketing and data and technology. Fuelled by a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com 

Role Description 

As an Affiliate Associate Account Director, you will be a key member of the Affiliate Team. Reporting to the Account Director, you’ll also support junior members of the team, whilst contributing to the growth and delivery of client accounts. You will be involved in pitches that can be called for the team to work on at short notice and covering key areas of the pitch including presentations.  You will work closely with other Account Managers and Account Directors daily.

Why be an Affiliate Associate Account Director at Kinesso?

The Affiliate Associate Account Director will be responsible for driving growth on key accounts and maintaining programme success. You will work within an experienced team, developing your expertise in Affiliate Marketing whilst gaining exposure to major brand management. This role offers a clear path for professional growth, allowing you to strengthen your skills, expand your responsibilities, and progress within the agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the execution of affiliate strategies for key brands alongside Account Directors.
• Create media plans and align them with budgets provided by key stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse performance, identifying optimisation opportunities and highlighting risks or issues.
• Spot trends and analyse large amounts of data to guide insight-based decisions.
• Conduct regular competitive analysis and market research to support pitches and account planning.
• Develop an understanding of target audiences’ attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions within the affiliate landscape.
• Develop an understanding of digital media channels (SEM, display, social, etc.) and their role within affiliate marketing.

Client Relationships

• Build strong, trusted partnerships by understanding client objectives, pressures, and internal demands.
• Provide reliable, responsive, and integrity-driven support that clients can depend on.
• Establish credibility so clients value your opinions and advice on their digital marketing activity.

Excellence in Client Service

• Set and manage clear client expectations, ensuring all deliverables are accurate, timely, and accessible.
• Understand client needs beyond individual projects, equipping them with the information and tools to succeed.
• Ensure all campaign costs, forecasts, and media schedules are accurate, approved, and signed off prior to launch.
• Communicate promptly regarding changes to scope, costs, or project details.
• Provide strategic counsel on marketing issues and opportunities, escalating to senior team members when needed.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the client’s business, competitors, and wider industry trends.

Leadership & Management

• Take ownership of a segment of a large affiliate programme, managing the account and delegating tasks to junior members of the team.
• Create reporting templates for junior members of the team and conduct training sessions.
• Manage key partners within the affiliate programme and maintain relationships via weekly/bi-weekly calls.
• Host meetings with senior client members from the brand’s account.
• Manage challenging client conversations and create solutions that support programme success.
• Provide Account Directors and Head of Affiliates with weekly updates on key accounts and any misalignments with targets.
• Prepare and lead performance review presentations.
• Lead meetings and discussions, ensuring accurate contact reports are issued within 24 hours.
• Develop your presence and credibility as a trusted expert within the affiliate channel.

Innovation & Initiative

• Provide innovative and strategic ideas to support programme growth.
• Implement and test new technologies to unlock new opportunities.
• Lead development of regular results analysis, recommendations, and presentations.
• Review brand mock-ups for compliance and provide feedback.
• Negotiate and book affiliate activity with partners.
• Collaborate with technical teams to ensure proper tag implementation, trafficking, and affiliate tracking.

What skills will you need in this role?

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar role within Affiliate Marketing or Partnerships.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Organisational skills need to be exemplary.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Confident working with data, reporting, and performance targets.
• Professional demeanour, comfortable attending meetings with senior stakeholders, including C-suite members.
• Confident presenting in both in-person and online environments.
• Ability to work within a team and also work independently.

Career Development

At Kinesso, we are committed to supporting your professional development and career progression. As an Affiliate Associate Account Director, you will:

• Develop a clear progression path.
• Gain exposure to account management responsibilities, preparing you for the leadership of your multiple high value clients within the agency.
• Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and development opportunities to enhance your expertise in Affiliate Marketing and digital performance.
• Build strong commercial and strategic skills, working with senior team members on high-profile accounts.

Employee Transparency 

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are an equal-opportunity employer committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please reach out to Ninette at [email protected], if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

THE PERKS 

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:  

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as the minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year  
• Free breakfast and free lunch  
• Early finish Fridays 
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)   
• Retail discounts 
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme 
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs 
• Interest-free season ticket loan  
• Paid time off for Volunteering  
• Group Income Protection  
• Life Assurance  
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)  
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%  
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay   
• Independent mortgage advice  
• Financial education  
• Employee Assistance Programme  
• Free eye tests  
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!