Affiliate Manager – UK & Ireland
Role Overview
As Affiliate Manager, you will be responsible for leading the UK & Ireland affiliate programmes for JD Sports, working closely with the Affiliate Lead to execute the overarching strategy. You’ll manage key partnerships, drive performance, and support the development of the affiliate team. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and hands-on execution to deliver growth and innovation across the channel.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Development
Manage and mentor affiliate executives, providing ongoing training, feedback, and career development support.
Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team.
Programme Strategy & Performance
Collaborate with the Affiliate Lead to define and execute the affiliate strategy aligned with business goals.
Set and monitor KPIs across programmes, ensuring consistent performance tracking and reporting.
Develop frameworks to measure ROI, customer acquisition, and partner contribution.
Partner & Network Management
Own relationships with affiliate networks and strategic partners, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives.
Negotiate commercial terms and ensure contractual compliance and performance delivery.
Recruitment & Optimisation
Design and implement a recruitment strategy to onboard new partners and diversify the affiliate mix.
Identify and activate growth opportunities across content, cashback, voucher, and influencer partners.
Cross-Channel Collaboration
Work closely with brand, performance, and trade marketing teams to support product launches and campaigns.
Ensure affiliate activity complements wider marketing efforts and seasonal trading priorities.
Programme Setup & Migration
Lead the setup and migration of affiliate programmes, ensuring seamless transitions and minimal disruption.
Develop scalable processes and documentation for future migrations and launches.
Performance Analysis & Reporting
Analyse campaign and programme-level data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
Present insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
Project & Technical Support
Support the delivery of technical projects including tracking updates, platform integrations, and data enhancements.
Liaise with internal tech teams and external vendors to ensure timely execution.
Industry Engagement
Represent JD Sports at affiliate events, conferences, and partner meetings to build relationships and stay ahead of industry trends.
Role Objectives / KPIs
Deliver revenue growth and maintain a strong return on ad spend (ROAS).
Implement a measurable strategy and roadmap for each programme.
Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the affiliate channel.
Support and develop team members to achieve their professional goals.
Expand and diversify the affiliate partner base.
Core Competencies
Deciding and Initiating Action – Proactive in identifying opportunities and making decisions.
Leading and Supervising – Strong leadership and people management skills.
Relating and Networking – Builds effective relationships internally and externally.
Applying Expertise and Technical Knowledge – Demonstrates deep understanding of affiliate marketing and digital performance.
Planning and Organising – Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
Skills & Experience
Proven experience managing affiliate programmes, ideally within retail or e-commerce.
Experience managing direct reports and leading teams.
Strong track record of delivering performance-driven affiliate campaigns.
Commercially minded with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
Familiarity with affiliate platforms, tracking technologies, and data analysis tools.
Training & Development Requirements
Review and manage publisher and network contracts with support from the Affiliate Lead.
Develop long-term strategic plans for channel growth and diversification.
Take ownership of cross-functional projects and technical initiatives.
Participate in leadership development programmes to enhance management capabilities.