Role Summary

The affiliate and partner program at Fanatics Collect is one of the highest-leverage acquisition channels in the business - and it is significantly underdeveloped relative to its potential. As Lead, Affiliate & Partner Programs, you will own the end-to-end affiliate ecosystem across Fanatics Collect and Topps.com: program architecture, commission design, tracking infrastructure, partner recruitment, and performance optimization.

This role is built for a rigorous, analytically-driven operator who brings genuine depth in affiliate program mechanics - someone who understands the difference between a program that looks productive and one that actually drives incremental revenue. You will own the infrastructure, set the standards, and build the systems that make the partner channel a durable growth engine.

You will also serve as the program architecture partner for creator partnerships - contributing commission design thinking, performance frameworks, and deal structure expertise to the broader creator ecosystem as it scales.

Key Responsibilities
Affiliate Program Ownership

• Define and own the affiliate program strategy across Fanatics Collect and Topps.com, including program structure, partner mix, commission models, and growth roadmap
• Recruit, onboard, and manage a portfolio of affiliate and brand partners - from content publishers and media brands to hobby-adjacent platforms, loyalty partners, and cashback networks
• Design and evolve tiered incentive structures, rev share models, promotional frameworks, and activation calendars to maximize incremental new buyer acquisition
• Own affiliate tracking infrastructure and attribution systems (Impact.com and related tools), ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and fast resolution of any tracking disruptions

Partner Recruitment & Activation

• Build and maintain a high-performing partner pipeline - from outbound prospecting through signed agreement and active production
• Develop activation playbooks that go beyond link placement: content angles, promotional hooks, and audience-specific offers that actually convert
• Identify and prioritize partners by revenue density, not partner count - recruit with quality in mind and cut the bottom tier ruthlessly
• Manage relationships with hobby-adjacent platforms including CollX, PSA, Sports Card Investor, Collectr, and Sports Card Pro, deepening integrations over time

Performance & Measurement

• Own performance outcomes across the affiliate channel including new user acquisition, GMV influence, affiliate revenue, and channel ROI
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks - including incrementality measurement and revenue-per-partner tracking - to drive data-informed investment decisions
• Partner with Analytics and Growth to understand cohort LTV, CAC by partner tier, and attribution across the full funnel
• Proactively identify and resolve tracking disruptions, attribution gaps, and program inefficiencies in partnership with engineering

Program Architecture for Creator Partnerships

• Serve as the commission design and deal structure partner for the creator partnerships function - contributing performance-based incentive frameworks, milestone structures, and rev share models
• Ensure consistency and integrity across affiliate and creator compensation structures so the program operates as a coherent system
• Support the development of promo code attribution, partner-visible tracking dashboards, and acquisition mechanics as the technical infrastructure matures

Cross-Functional Influence

• Partner closely with Growth, Product, Marketing, and Analytics to align affiliate and partner strategy with the product roadmap and campaign calendar
• Influence development of partner-facing tools, monetization features, and platform capabilities that improve the partner experience and program economics
• Oversee contract strategy and negotiation in partnership with legal and business stakeholders
• Act as the internal subject-matter expert on affiliate marketing, program economics, and partner channel best practices

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in affiliate marketing, partner programs, or performance marketing within e-commerce, marketplaces, or digital platforms
• Proven track record of building and scaling affiliate programs with measurable acquisition and revenue impact
• Deep experience designing performance-based structures - commission models, tiered incentives, rev share formulas, holdback mechanisms, and fraud controls
• Hands-on experience with affiliate platforms (Impact.com strongly preferred) and comfort owning tracking, attribution, and reporting infrastructure
• Strong analytical skills with fluency in attribution models, incrementality measurement, revenue-per-partner analysis, and funnel diagnostics
• A genuine understanding of program quality over quantity - optimizing for revenue density, activation rate, and partner cohort value rather than raw partner count
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership with data-backed business cases
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with experience managing partner relationships across publishers, media brands, and platform partners

Preferred

• Experience in sports, gaming, collectibles, or other passion-driven verticals where community trust and authenticity drive partner performance
• Familiarity with the sports card, TCG, or hobby creator ecosystem
• Background in or exposure to live commerce, marketplace platforms, or creator-affiliate hybrid programs
• Experience managing compliance infrastructure across a large affiliate partner base

The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to Los Angeles and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/

Los Angeles Salary Range

$123,050-$154,100 USD

The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to New York City and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/

NYC Salary Range

$133,750-$167,500 USD