Senior Business Development Manager – I&E Brand Partnerships (all genders)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Business Development Manager – I&E Brand Partnerships (all genders)

🔹 Company: Zalando

🔹 Location: Berlin, Germany

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (up to 60% remote)

🔹 Category: Business Development, Brand Partnerships

🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (with up to 60% remote work)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Co-owning and growing a portfolio of strategic brand partners
• Developing and executing scalable content format strategies
• Contributing to I&E content experiments
• Collaborating cross-functionally with ownership
• Proactively driving workstreams forward

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy and cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on driving strategic partnerships and content innovation.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Co-own and grow a portfolio of strategic brand partners, sourcing content assets, leading end-to-end relationships, and identifying opportunities for content collaboration, innovation, and performance optimization.

✅ Develop and execute scalable content format strategies aligned with KPIs to capture the full marketing funnel and deliver partner value, unlocking future revenue potential for ZMS through monetization models, creator collaborations, and storytelling-driven activations that engage the upper funnel.

✅ Contribute to I&E content experiments that test key hypotheses and accelerate content–market fit, working closely with cross-functional teams across Product, Engineering, and Data Science.

✅ Create performance reports by leveraging data insights and brand partner feedback to continuously optimize success metrics around retention and user engagement, in close collaboration with the Data Science team.

✅ Communicate the I&E strategy and content formats with clarity and purpose to ensure alignment, drive excitement, and enable execution across both internal and external partners.

✅ Collaborate cross-functionally with ownership, working seamlessly with the Content Lab team (Originals & Creator), Product, Product Marketing, and Data Science to deliver impactful results.

✅ Proactively drive workstreams forward – leading meetings, capturing notes, following up on action items, and ensuring accountability across stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and project execution, with a strong focus on driving results through partnerships and content innovation.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5+ years of experience in partner management, business development, brand marketing, content strategy, or social commerce – ideally with a media or platform angle.

Required Skills:

• Clear and proactive communication skills, with the ability to structure complex information in a way that’s actionable, digestible, and tailored to the audience.
• Proficient in Excel (or Google Sheets) for progress tracking and Google Slides (or PowerPoint) for creating compelling, partner-facing presentations and internal decks.
• High standard of delivery around project management tasks, with a focus on following up on feedback, closing gaps, and bringing precision to all work.
• Self-motivated and accountable, with the ability to take ownership of work, proactively offer support where needed, and drive results independently.
• Understanding of storytelling, social commerce, and short-form content, with the ability to turn it into real business impact.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience with partnership management, branded content, or entertainment formats.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in business development, brand marketing, or a related field, with a proven track record of driving results through strategic partnerships and content innovation.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €70,000 - €90,000 per year (based on industry standards for a senior business development role in Germany)

Benefits:

• Employee shares program
• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Hybrid working model with up to 60% remote per week
• Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
• 27 days of vacation a year to start for full-time employees
• Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)
• Family services, including counseling and support
• Health and wellbeing options (including Wellhub, formerly Gympass)
• Mental health support and coaching available
• Drive your development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working hours and the option to work remotely up to 60% of the time.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior business development role in Germany. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Zalando is a leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, offering clothes, footwear, accessories, and beauty products to over 50 million active customers in 25 markets. They are building the ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle ecommerce, with a focus on sustainability and diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Company Size: Zalando has over 10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: Zalando was founded in Berlin in 2008 and has since grown into a major player in the European ecommerce market.

Company Description:

• Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, offering a wide range of international brands and local labels.
• Their platform is a one-stop fashion destination for inspiration, innovation, and interaction, with a focus on digital solutions for every aspect of the fashion journey.
• Zalando promotes an inclusive corporate culture that welcomes different perspectives and brings together people from diverse backgrounds, with a commitment to sustainability and D&I.

Company Specialties:

• Technology
• Fashion
• Operations & Logistics
• Commerce
• Account management

Company Website: http://jobs.zalando.com

ASSUMPTION: Zalando is a large, fast-growing company with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and diversity, inclusion, and belonging. They offer a dynamic work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of I&E Brand Partnerships and works closely with cross-functional teams across Product, Engineering, and Data Science.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (up to 60% remote), with flexible working hours and the option to work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year.

Growth Opportunities:

• This role offers the opportunity to work on strategic, high-impact projects and drive results through partnerships and content innovation.
• Zalando provides a range of benefits, including employee shares, discounts on products, volunteering days, and mental health support.
• The company offers a hybrid working model and the option to work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, with the potential to make a real impact on Zalando's I&E content strategy and drive results through strategic partnerships and content innovation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Zalando's headquarters are located in Berlin, with additional offices in Hamburg, Dublin, Helsinki, and other cities across Europe.

Office Location(s): Valeska-Gert-Straße 5, Berlin, 10243, DE

Geographic Context:

• Berlin is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving fashion and tech scene.
• The city is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and high quality of life.
• Berlin is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to Zalando's headquarters.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working hours and the option to work remotely up to 60% of the time.

ASSUMPTION: Zalando's headquarters in Berlin offer a dynamic, multicultural work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration. The city is well-connected and provides a high quality of life.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the Talent Acquisition team
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
• Final interview with the Head of I&E Brand Partnerships
• Background check and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and stakeholder management skills
• Project management and execution skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Zalando's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of Zalando's business and the I&E content strategy.
• Prepare examples of your past successes in driving results through partnerships and content innovation.
• Be ready to discuss your approach to ambiguity and problem-solving in a dynamic environment.

ATS Keywords: Business Development, Brand Partnerships, Strategic Partnerships, Content Strategy, I&E, Zalando, Hybrid Work, Remote Work, Berlin, Germany

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of Zalando's business and the I&E content strategy, as well as their ability to drive results through partnerships and content innovation.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Google Sheets, Google Slides)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, SQL)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace, as well as experience with project management and data analysis tools. Familiarity with communication and collaboration tools is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Obsessed
• Take Ownership
• Think and Act Like an Entrepreneur
• Strive for Excellence
• Stay Curious
• Keep it Real

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Focused on driving results and innovation
• Committed to sustainability and D&I

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach ambiguity and problem-solving in a dynamic environment?
• How do you ensure that your communication is clear, actionable, and tailored to the audience?
• How do you balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and project management?

ASSUMPTION: Zalando values candidates who are customer-obsessed, take ownership, think and act like entrepreneurs, strive for excellence, stay curious, and keep it real. Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced, and dynamic environment, with a focus on driving results and innovation.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a high degree of autonomy and cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on driving strategic partnerships and content innovation.
• The work environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on driving results and innovation.
• The role may require occasional travel to meet with brand partners and attend industry events.
• The application process is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, but also presents challenges in terms of the high degree of autonomy and cross-functional collaboration required, as well as the fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving strategic partnerships and content innovation for Zalando's I&E content strategy.
• Similar roles in the industry may focus on specific content formats or brand partnerships, rather than the end-to-end strategy and execution required in this role.
• Career paths in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within Zalando's I&E content team or other strategic roles within the company.

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on driving strategic partnerships and content innovation for Zalando's I&E content strategy, with significant growth opportunities for candidates with the right skills and experience.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic partnership with a major entertainment brand to create exclusive content for Zalando's I&E platform
• Conducting market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities in the entertainment content landscape
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and optimize content formats that drive user engagement and retention

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, cross-functional, and innovative nature of the work required in this role, with a focus on driving results through partnerships and content innovation.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader I&E content strategy and roadmap for Zalando?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does the team collaborate with other departments, such as Product, Engineering, and Data Science?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the I&E content team in the coming year?
• How does Zalando support the professional development and growth of its employees?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions help candidates understand the strategic context of the role, the priorities and challenges facing the team, and the opportunities for growth and development within Zalando.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: http://jobs.zalando.com
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare examples of your past successes in driving results through partnerships and content innovation.
• Be ready to discuss your approach to ambiguity and problem-solving in a dynamic environment.
• Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to check the status of your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.