Sr. Publisher Partnerships Manager

Job Description:

Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4,000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce, digital content, advertising, entertainment and communications, bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the company's mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation, optimism, and teamwork.

Rakuten Advertising provides advertising technology and consumer insights to the world's leading brands and retailers. Working with agencies and brands around the world, Rakuten Advertising unites technology, client strategy and consumer insights to deliver advertising experiences that drive increased brand awareness and marketing performance. With access to Rakuten's diverse media properties and audiences, combined with an award-winning performance network and proprietary consumer research, Rakuten Advertising creates the right conditions to reach new customers and sustain long-lasting loyalty.

• Own and scale a portfolio of high-revenue driving publisher partnerships across EMEA, ensuring alignment with global strategies and long-term business objectives. Drive innovation, strategic value creation, and consistent revenue growth through deep partner engagement.
• Develop and execute partner strategies that drive adoption of Rakuten Advertising's products and technologies.
• Leverage advanced data analytics to uncover trends, identify growth, and provide strategic recommendations to both partners and internal stakeholders. Act as a consultative advisor to contacts, shaping roadmaps that align with business goals and maximize performance outcomes.
• Lead a diverse portfolio of high-value publisher partnerships across EMEA, delivering tailored strategies to optimize performance, deepen engagement with Rakuten products, and exceed revenue goals. Act as a senior point of contact, driving long-term value and innovation in each relationship.
• Serve as the internal champion for publisher partners, collaborating closely with Product, Client Services, Sales, Marketing, and Legal teams to ensure seamless execution of strategic initiatives. Influence internal roadmaps by advocating for partner needs and market trends to enhance Rakuten's overall value proposition.
• Champion publisher needs internally by collaborating with Product, Sales, Client Services, and Legal to unlock new opportunities and ensure alignment on strategic initiatives
• Actively participate in industry events, trend analysis, and partner education to remain at the forefront of affiliate marketing. Represent Rakuten Advertising as a senior expert in external discussions and contribute to the broader thought leadership of the organization.

• Proven track record of leading large, high-impact projects that directly support key business goals.
• Experienced in building and growing strong portfolios of supply and publisher partners to drive measurable revenue.
• Known for shaping long-term strategy and aligning teams through clear vision and collaborative leadership.
• Comfortable making tough decisions independently, especially in fast-paced or high-stakes environments.
• Always on the lookout for market opportunities and skilled at aligning partner strategies with overall business direction.

• Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of what drives business success and how to navigate competitive landscapes.
• Strong project and portfolio management skills-great at setting priorities, estimating resources, and ensuring outcomes deliver value.
• Deep expertise in affiliate marketing, with a focus on product growth, partner success, and market expansion.
• Data-savvy, with the ability to turn insights into clear reports that keep stakeholders aligned and informed.
• Excellent communicator with a knack for building strong relationships-especially with senior clients and executive teams.

• 7+ years of experience in account management, strategic planning, or similar roles. Proven success in driving account growth and strategic initiatives.
• 5+ years of experience in affiliate marketing
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• Analytical Skills - Foundational experience in running reports, reviewing campaign performance, and identifying initial insights to support partnership optimization.
• Fluency in European Languages is highly desired, with the ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms.