Manager, Co-op & Brand Partner Marketing

Location: SF_0689_Saks Direct, United States of America

WHO WE ARE

Exemplar Luxury Group, formerly Saks Global, is the luxury collective uniting coveted brands with unrivaled customer experiences across Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Driven by a relentless devotion to our customers and powered by our talented colleagues, we offer expertly curated product assortments, unparalleled service and personalized experiences across our integrated retail model. Through strong partnerships with the world's most desired luxury brands and deep customer relationships enhanced by data-rich insights, Exemplar Luxury Group is committed to setting the standard of excellence for luxury retail.

Job Description

YOU WILL BE

The Manager, Co-op & Brand Partner Marketing owns and grows a portfolio of strategic brand partnerships, serving as a trusted advisor to brand partners and a key commercial partner to ELG’s internal teams. Reporting to the Director, Co-op & Brand Partner Marketing, this role translates brand priorities, category insights and ELG business objectives into integrated marketing programs that drive partner investment, deliver measurable results and create value for both the partner and ELG.

The Manager leads the partnership lifecycle, from account planning and opportunity development through investment negotiation, cross-functional execution, performance measurement and future growth planning. Success requires strong commercial judgment, relationship-building skills, data-driven decision making and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization. This individual must be comfortable presenting recommendations, navigating complex business conversations and representing ELG credibly with senior brand partners and internal leaders. v

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Own day-to-day relationships and seasonal planning for an assigned portfolio of managed brand partners; build trust, understand each brand’s priorities, category performance, investment history and decision process, and serve as a strategic thought partner.

Build account plans and identify revenue opportunities across print, digital, onsite and offsite media, store experiences, events and other ELG marketing assets as appropriate.

Develop and present thoughtful proposals, investment recommendations and business cases that connect brand goals, customer insight, commercial priorities, available inventory and measurable outcomes.

Translate brand priorities into distinctive, integrated programs that deliver customer and commercial value to ELG while strengthening the long-term partnership.

Lead partner meetings and negotiate scope, investment and deliverables with tact and clarity; manage difficult conversations and escalate material commercial or relationship risks to the Director.

Present confidently to brand executives, agencies and internal leaders, representing ELG’s business, marketing capabilities and partnership point of view with credibility and sound judgment.

Partner with merchants and internal business leaders to understand assortment, receipts, category trends and seasonal priorities, and translate those insights into relevant brand opportunities.

Lead cross-functional stakeholder management across Creative, CRM, Social, Events, Store Marketing, Digital, Retail Media, Analytics, Finance, Merchandising and Partnership Operations; establish shared objectives, clarify roles, navigate competing priorities and keep decisions and deliverables moving.

Partner closely with Retail Media and agency teams to incorporate onsite and offsite media, sponsored products and relevant audience solutions into broader brand plans; align on strategy, investment, execution requirements, measurement and partner communication.

Maintain accurate pipeline, proposal, commitment and forecast records; track co-op revenue, partner investment and fulfillment against the assigned portfolio’s goals.

Review campaign and business performance, develop timely recaps, and use the results to recommend optimizations and future investment; communicate both progress and limitations clearly to partners.

Stay informed about ELG’s business, customer experience, marketing calendar and the competitive luxury and retail media landscape to represent the company credibly in partner meetings.

Contribute partner feedback, category ideas and practical process improvements to the Director’s broader co-op strategy and partnership offering.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

Required Qualifications (Minimum Requirements)

5+ years of experience in brand partnerships, account management, marketing, retail media or a related commercial role.

Demonstrated success managing partner relationships, developing account growth strategies and identifying opportunities to increase revenue or marketing investment.

Strong presentation, written communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to navigate sensitive commercial conversations and build productive relationships with senior stakeholders.

Experience developing proposals and translating business, customer, sales or campaign data into actionable recommendations and compelling partner-facing presentations.

Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders, manage competing priorities and drive projects forward without direct reporting authority.

Experience managing multiple accounts, projects or integrated marketing programs from planning through execution, measurement and recap.

Working knowledge of digital media and omnichannel marketing, with an understanding of how marketing investments support brand and business objectives.

Preferred Qualifications (nice to haves)

Experience with luxury, fashion, beauty or multi-banner retail

Understanding of media or retail media, campaign measurement and e-commerce analytics; experience collaborating with or managing media agencies is a plus.

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or equivalent practical exper