Job Description:

  
Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, giving millions of members Cash Back when they buy from their favorite brands. As a leading shopping platform, Rakuten partners with thousands of top brands across apparel, beauty and wellness, grocery, travel, on-demand services, subscriptions, and dining, helping members save on everyday purchases. Since 1999, Rakuten members have earned more than $4.6 billion in Cash Back, making it the largest Cash Back platform of its kind. Learn more at Rakuten.com.

This position is eligible to work in office: San Francisco, New York, Lexington and Chicago

Job Summary:
Rakuten Rewards is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Agency Development Associate Manager to optimize commercial processes and drive revenue growth through strategic partnerships with top affiliate networks and agencies. This role requires strong analytical skills, exceptional relationship building, and the ability to participate in (and occasionally lead) multiple projects simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with 20+ key affiliate agencies and networks to increase merchant acquisition and revenue metrics for Rakuten Rewards.
• Analyze agency and network performance metrics, develop ambitious growth goals, and present annual strategic plans.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product, and Operations teams to develop unique product and pricing solutions that maximize revenue.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements.
• Partner with the Commercial Partnerships Manager to provide training and support to the sales team on commercial processes, tools, and technical/commercial challenges.
• Collaborate with the Commercial Partnerships Manager to identify and share network solutions that can enhance performance with Rakuten Rewards' Product and Sales teams.
• Educate agencies and networks on Rakuten Rewards' solutions, capabilities, and innovations, including reporting, insights, and optimization opportunities via regular connects and webinars.
• Represent Rakuten Rewards at prominent affiliate industry events.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated success in managing and growing strategic partnerships.
• Familiarity with affiliate network platforms, solutions, and tools.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-starter with a strategic mindset and a methodical approach to execution.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• 2-3 years’ of experience in business development, partnerships, or affiliate marketing industry. ​

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Five Principles for Success
Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
Passionately Professional - Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best
Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika - Use the Rakuten Cycle to succeed in unknown territory
Maximize Customer Satisfaction - The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

At the time of posting, Rakuten expects the base compensation for this role to be within the range shown below. Individual compensation will vary based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications, and experience of the successful candidate as well as business need and geographic location. The successful applicant for this role will be eligible for discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements.