Affiliate Marketing Manager [Fixed Term Contract]
Shutterstock📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Affiliate Marketing Manager [Fixed Term Contract]
🔹 Company: Shutterstock
🔹 Location: Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time Contract (12-15 months)
🔹 Category: 🔗 Affiliate Marketing
📌 Essential Job Details
🚀 Job Overview
Shutterstock is seeking a Global Affiliate Manager for a 12-15 month contract to drive growth and success of their affiliate channel across multiple brands and international markets. This role is pivotal in maximizing affiliate-driven revenue through strategic partner recruitment, relationship management, and performance optimization. The position requires a data-driven approach to affiliate marketing with a strong focus on ROI and international market development.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Affiliate Growth & Partnerships
- ✅ Develop and implement global recruitment strategies to onboard new affiliates
- ✅ Cultivate, manage, and expand relationships with existing affiliates to maximize performance
- ✅ Negotiate competitive commission structures and contractual terms to drive revenue growth
Performance Analysis & ROI Optimization
- ✅ Analyze affiliate performance to identify trends and opportunities for improved ROI
- ✅ Develop and present reports on key performance metrics (conversion rates, EPC, revenue impact)
- ✅ Implement data-driven strategies to optimize affiliate mix, commission structures, and campaigns
- ✅ Forecast performance and manage budgets to ensure profitability and efficiency
Industry Engagement & Networking
- ✅ Represent Shutterstock at industry conferences and events to recruit top affiliates
- ✅ Increase program visibility through newsletters, promotional campaigns, and competitive offerings
- ✅ Stay ahead of industry trends and competitor strategies to maintain market presence
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Alignment
- ✅ Work with internal teams (Paid Media, BI, Product, Finance) to align affiliate strategies with business goals
- ✅ Share performance updates, insights, and best practices with internal stakeholders
- ✅ Manage and forecast affiliate marketing budgets to ensure profitable growth
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Economics, or a related field; MBA is a plus
Experience: 5+ years of experience in affiliate marketing, with proven track record managing multi-million dollar budgets
Skills:
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data, optimize campaigns, and improve ROI
- Excellent negotiation and relationship management capabilities
- Expertise in affiliate marketing platforms (e.g., Impact, Partnerize, Rakuten)
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and data analytics
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail
- Self-starter with strategic mindset and hands-on execution abilities
- Comfortable networking, pitching, and discussing deal specifics at industry events
- Deep understanding of affiliate motivations and business alignment
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Not specified
Benefits: Not specified
Industry Comparison: Not specified
ASSUMPTION: Based on the seniority level (5+ years experience) and responsibility scope (managing multi-million dollar budgets), this role likely offers competitive compensation within the upper range for affiliate marketing managers in Ontario, Canada. Contract positions typically receive premium compensation to offset the temporary nature of employment, but this is not explicitly stated in the listing.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry Position: Shutterstock is a leading global provider of high-quality licensed images, videos, music, and creative editing tools. The company operates in the stock media marketplace, serving creative professionals, businesses, and media organizations worldwide.
Company Size: Publicly traded company (NYSE: SSTK) with global operations
Company Stage: Established enterprise with multiple brands and international market presence
ASSUMPTION: Information about Shutterstock's position as a stock media provider is based on their well-known market presence. The global nature of operations is directly mentioned in the job description through references to international markets and global affiliate management responsibilities.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role (based on 5+ years experience requirement and strategic responsibilities)
Reporting Structure: Not specified
Team Size/Composition: Not specified
Growth Opportunities: The role offers exposure to multiple brands and international markets, providing valuable cross-brand marketing experience and global business perspective
ASSUMPTION: This appears to be a senior individual contributor role based on the extensive experience requirements and absence of mentioned direct reports. The contract nature (12-15 months) suggests this may be for a specific initiative or program expansion rather than an ongoing team build, though this is not explicitly stated.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Likely remote or hybrid (based on #LI-Remote tag)
Geographic Context: Ontario is Canada's most populous province with a strong business presence, particularly in Toronto which serves as a key business hub for North America
Work Schedule: Not specified, likely standard full-time hours
Regional Considerations: Canadian work authorization may be required (not explicitly stated)
ASSUMPTION: The #LI-Remote tag suggests this position offers remote work flexibility, which is common in digital marketing roles. The Ontario location may indicate a preference for candidates within this region for occasional in-person meetings or Canadian employment regulations, but specific work arrangement details are not provided.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process: For senior marketing roles at established companies like Shutterstock, expect multiple rounds including initial HR screening, marketing team interviews, and possibly case studies demonstrating affiliate strategy development
Key Assessment Areas: Data analysis capabilities, strategic thinking, relationship management skills, affiliate program optimization experience, and ROI-focused decision making
Application Tips: Highlight quantifiable achievements in affiliate marketing, emphasize experience with global or multi-brand programs, and showcase data-driven decision making with concrete results
ATS Keywords: affiliate marketing, ROI optimization, partner recruitment, commission structures, performance analysis, Impact platform, Partnerize, Rakuten, EPC, conversion optimization, global marketing
ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard industry practices for similar roles and companies. The actual interview process at Shutterstock may vary.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Affiliate platforms: Impact, Partnerize, Rakuten (explicitly mentioned)
- Data analysis: Advanced Excel skills (explicitly mentioned)
- Likely CRM systems for partner management
- Analytics platforms for tracking campaign performance
- Reporting and dashboard tools
ASSUMPTION: Beyond the explicitly mentioned tools (Impact, Partnerize, Rakuten, and Excel), the additional tools listed are standard for affiliate marketing roles but not specifically mentioned in the job description. Most affiliate managers use some form of CRM and analytics platforms to effectively execute their responsibilities.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values: Shutterstock emphasizes being "one team collectively focused on creating an unrivaled experience for our Customers and Contributors." The company has published values that candidates are encouraged to review at their values page.
Work Style: The listing describes a "fast-paced, dynamic environment" requiring someone who is a "self-starter" but also collaborative with cross-functional teams
Self-Assessment:
- Are you comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution?
- Do you thrive in data-driven decision making environments?
- Are you effective at building relationships with external partners?
- Can you adapt to managing multiple brands and international markets simultaneously?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing affiliate programs across multiple brands and international markets simultaneously may present complexity in strategy development and execution
- The fixed-term nature (12-15 months) means focusing on both quick wins and sustainable program growth within a limited timeframe
- Balancing relationships with multiple stakeholders – internal teams, affiliate partners, and network representatives
- Driving ROI while expanding into potentially diverse global markets with varying affiliate landscapes
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inferred from the scope of responsibilities described and the contract nature of the role. The actual challenges may vary based on Shutterstock's specific program maturity and organizational structure.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
This Affiliate Marketing Manager role differs from similar positions in several ways:
- Broader than typical: Manages affiliate programs across multiple brands and international markets, where many similar roles focus on single brand or region
- Contract nature: The 12-15 month timeframe suggests focus on specific initiatives or program transformation rather than ongoing management
- Strategic emphasis: Heavy focus on both new partner recruitment and optimization of existing relationships, requiring dual skill sets
- Cross-functional: Explicitly requires collaboration with multiple internal teams (Paid Media, BI, Product, Finance)
ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry patterns for affiliate marketing roles. Shutterstock's specific program structure may differ from these generalizations.
📝 Sample Projects
Based on the responsibilities listed, someone in this role might work on:
- Developing a global affiliate partner tiering system to optimize commission structures based on performance metrics
- Creating and executing targeted recruitment campaigns for specific international markets with growth potential
- Building a comprehensive performance dashboard to track KPIs across brands and regions
- Designing and implementing seasonal promotional strategies to boost affiliate engagement during peak periods
- Conducting competitive analysis to identify partnership opportunities and commission optimization possibilities
ASSUMPTION: These projects are illustrative examples based on the listed responsibilities and common affiliate program needs. Actual priorities would be determined by Shutterstock's specific business objectives.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- "What are the key performance indicators you're looking to improve with this role in the next 12-15 months?"
- "How mature are the affiliate programs across the different brands? Are they at similar stages or do some require more development than others?"
- "What are the biggest challenges currently facing the affiliate program that you're looking for this role to address?"
- "How does the affiliate channel integrate with other marketing channels in terms of attribution and overall marketing strategy?"
- "Which international markets present the greatest opportunity for affiliate growth in your view?"
- "What internal resources and support systems will be available to help achieve the affiliate program objectives?"
ASSUMPTION: These questions are suggested based on the role type and may need adaptation for specific interviews. They aim to help candidates better understand the position's scope and expectations.
📌 Disclaimer
⚠️ This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- Resume Optimization: Customize your resume to highlight affiliate marketing experience, emphasizing quantifiable achievements (e.g., revenue growth, partner recruitment numbers, ROI improvements)
- ATS Preparation: Ensure your application includes key terms like "affiliate marketing," "partner management," "ROI optimization," "performance analysis," and specific platform experience (Impact, Partnerize, Rakuten)
- Portfolio Preparation: Compile case studies or examples of successful affiliate programs or campaigns you've managed, with emphasis on strategic growth and optimization
- Research: Review Shutterstock's multiple brands and international presence to understand the scope of the affiliate program you would be managing
- LinkedIn Optimization: Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect relevant experience, as the #LI tags suggest LinkedIn is part of their recruitment process
- Network: Connect with current or former Shutterstock employees in marketing roles to gain insights into the company culture and specific needs