Director - Brand Partnerships & Influencers

**Director - Brand Partnerships & Influencers** *Work Mode: Onsite* **Location:**Onsite - Kohler, WI **Opportunity** This role leads the development of the North American Strategic Partnership and Influencer strategy and roadmap, as well as delivers on the full omni-channel integrated GTM activation plans in priority kitchen and bath categories as assigned to deliver key brand metrics and business growth plans. **Primary Objectives** * Develops the 3–5-year rolling roadmap for Strategic Partnerships across product collaborations, celebrity/VIP endorsements, sponsorship, and influencer-based amplification in accordance with business goals, brand strategy, our brand values, and the values/insights of the target audience(s). * Maintains a tight pulse on cultural, industry, and consumer trends in order to identify, onboard, and manage a winning roster of Strategic Partners. * Leads strategic cross-category marketing strategy and execution (CMFP, Suites/Collections, Cast Iron) including trend expertise, advising on product strategy, launch/campaign GTM, paid/earned/owned media direction, and omni-channel asset development + activation planning and execution. * Acts as SME for Earned Media across marketing touchpoints. * Delivers KBNA Business Briefs + Omni-Budget prioritization in areas of responsibility. * Leads a team of junior to senior marketers, collectively owning the onboarding of all Strategic Partners as well as full GTM and campaign execution for all Partnership and Cross-Category launches. **Specific Responsibilities** * Leads & develops a high-performing team of 5+ Marketers (across Manager & Sr. Manager levels), building best-in-class brand, partner and influencer skills and capabilities within the team while fostering career development and continually curating a diverse team of independent thinkers & doers who drive the brand vision forward and are accountable for brand/business results. * Inspire, lead, and motivate team through regular feedback, 1:1s, Personal Development Plans, goal/objective setting, & Succession Planning. * Implement management processes and priorities to ensure the team is as effective as possible to meet business goals. * Identify gaps in knowledge and skills in the team and build appropriate development solutions. * Intimately understands brand and product priorities across the full business in order to identify the most compelling opportunities for collaborative partnership, spanning in-line and limited-edition releases, brand or product endorsement, and brand or product influencer amplification. * Develops a customer-centric, culturally relevant strategic roadmap for assigned categories that inspires and differentiates the Kohler brand while supporting and aligning to overall business objectives and priorities. * Leads the identification and successful onboarding of a best-in-class roster of Strategic Partners, including leadership of all contract negotiations in order to maximize ROI for Kohler. * Leads the development and activation of diverse, best-in-class omni-channel marketing campaigns that leverage cultural and interior trends, customer segmentation insights and personalized, strategic communication tools to strengthen storytelling and maximize impact/effectiveness. * Leads cross-functional teams (i.e. In-House Agency, PR, Product Marketing, Industrial Design, BEVM, Channel Marketing, Sales) to maximize the impact that Strategic Partnerships and Cross-Category launches have on Consumers, Architects, Designers and Retailers. * Links multiple sources of data and consumer insights to create a cohesive consumer story. * Collaborates with peers and colleagues across the business (retailer sales, direct sales, finance, and marketing). * Measures and meaningfully reports on campaign performance to identify trends, insights and optimalization opportunities both within and across team’s campaigns. * Develops, monitors, and demonstrates an ROI of the marketing budget as assigned, including accountability of performance-driven marketing. **Skills/Requirements** * Bachelor's Degree. MBA in Marketing preferred. 10+ years of diverse marketing experience, preferably with lifestyle or consumer goods brands. * Ideal candidates have experience guiding/advising on product strategy and development, in service of brand objectives and goals. * Experience evaluating, critiquing, and collaborating on creative, in partnership with subject matter experts. * Strong leadership experience managing a broad range of team. * Experience with a range of marketing channels across paid, earned and owned. * Quantitative skills with a track record of driving and measuring results across channels. * Proven ability to assess talent, build talent capabilities, coach/mentor and motivate/inspire a high-performing team. * Proven ability to manage annual marketing plans, risks, and opportunities.  Trained in brand strategy development, strategic business planning, and long-term vision + goal setting. * Proven track record of crafting clear, inspiring, and focused innovation and communications briefs that leads to winning consumer new products and activations.  Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams to executional excellence in category and customer-facing selling. * Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with experience in influencing and getting results in a highly matrixed environment, exposure to a global brand-building matrixed organizations, and ability to effectively communicate at all levels of organization. **Travel** * Travel to partner meetings, events, trade shows, customer visits and training as needed, approximately 20%. #LI-SC2 #LI-Onsite ***Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.*** *We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $163,950 - $260,350. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.* **Why Choose Kohler?** We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives. **About Us** It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [kohlerjobs@kohler.com](mailto:kohlerjobs@kohler.com).  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.