Director, Brand & Marketing Partnerships - WSS

Director, Brand & Marketing Partnerships

This role will be hybrid in office three days a week at our WSS Corporate office in Gardena, CA. The role of Director, Brand & Marketing Partnerships serves as the central liaison between the retail marketing department and WSS key brand partners. This leader ensures brand partner alignment with retail marketing goals and marketing department execution. This role coordinates cross-functional, transparent communication and execution, ensuring brand programs are integrated into retail and digital marketing initiatives. This role maintains the balance between relationship management and strategic alignment with WSS business initiatives.

Coordinate internal stakeholders : Facilitate communication between creative, media, CRM, and in-store teams to ensure timely and consistent execution of partner programs. Optimize co-op investment : Partner with finance and marketing leadership to track, document, and maximize co-op and MDF (marketing development funds) usage across all brand campaigns. Measure and report : Create post-campaign recaps and quarterly reviews for brand partners, highlighting performance metrics, traffic lift, and ROI of marketing collaborations. Champion brand consistency : Ensure all partner-driven creative assets and activations uphold both the retailer's and vendor's brand standards, tone, and visual identity.

Responsibilities

Oversee brand partnership strategy and management. This includes, but is not limited to, partnership proposals, organized & detailed campaign calendars, production timelines, managing co-op budgets, campaign expectations & ROI for driving in-store and online performance. Serve as the primary point of contact for brand partners on marketing prioritiesensuring campaigns align with both brand and retailer objectives. Build relationships with cross-departmental teams : Store Ops, Merchandising, E-Commerce to coordinate efforts against regional & hyper-local goals. Facilitate communication between creative, media, CRM, and in-store / digital teams to ensure timely and consistent execution of partner programs. Report performance, timelines and campaign details to brand partners and internal WSS departments in the form of detailed pitch decks, activation recaps & campaign metrics Oversee the coordination and execution of all promotional materials (TV, content, print, POP, digital, social) with the co-op team and marketing partners to execute the brand campaigns / partnerships Champion brand consistency : Ensure all partner-driven creative assets and activations uphold both the retailer's and vendor's brand standards, tone, and visual identity.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS : 6+ years brand partnership experience for a national retail / consumer brand Four-year College Degree in Marketing, Communication, Business or Related Field Retail marketing experience and marketing partnerships Comfort and experience with quantitative marketing analytics, budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and test-and-learn methodologies. Ability to lead strategy and / or analysis-driven negotiation processes Experience guiding multiple projects, and adapting to a changing environment, along with working groups and at different stages of development The ability to manage a portfolio and make strategic budgetary tradeoffs to accomplish goals Strong Collaborator, Team Player, Multi- Task, and Drives Strong Results LANGUAGE SKILLS : Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and excellent judgment Proven editorial skills, demonstrating a strong and creative command of the English language MATHEMATICAL SKILLS / REASONING ABILITY : Strong expertise with analytical data Proficiency with retail math concepts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages) PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIORNMENT :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to : Bend and twist at the waist, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, kneel or squat while maneuvering boxes into place as needed Stand or walk at least 8 (eight) hours in a given day Lift up to 25 lbs. from ground level to above shoulders repeatedly over the course of the shift Climb a step stool or ladder Communicate effectively in person and on the phone At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines : Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews. AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and ID verification. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience. Benefits ABOUT WSS : WSS is the premier footwear retailer in the U.S. doing business in neighborhood-based stores. Consumers trust WSS for the best brands, greatest values and largest selection of athletic, dress, fashion, and casual footwear for the entire family. Our large store format enables us to showcase thousands of styles from top brands like Nike, Jordan, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Puma, Skechers, etc. In addition, WSS carries high quality private brands augmenting the breadth of selection to deliver amazing value to our customers. Founded in Southern California in 1984 by entrepreneur Eric Alon, all WSS stores feature a unique retail format that displays every style and size. This allows customers to browse on their terms, in a hassle-free environment, engaging the friendly and knowledgeable sales staff when they choose. The success of this business model has allowed WSS to continue its rapid expansion into new markets. WSS currently operates stores throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. WSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.