Strategic Partnerships Lead II

Job description

Position Details Title: Strategic Partnerships Lead II Department: Marketing Reports to: Manager, Partnership & Influencer Marketing Location: Dearborn Job Classification: Hybrid FLSA Status: Exempt Job Band: Professional Job Summary The Strategic Partnerships Lead II leads Carhartt’s Partnerships Marketing, balancing brand objectives, partnership strategies, and critical business initiatives. This role manages the work with our cross-functional departments and agencies to ensure the successful execution of partnership programs. The Lead is responsible for contributing to partnership strategy, overseeing partner relationship management, leading event planning, and ensuring detailed results reporting and process improvement. This position plays a role in shaping the direction of partnership initiatives and driving measurable brand growth. Inspired by Hard Work At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create. Associate Responsibilities • Contributes to the development of partnership strategies and leads execution aligned with brand and business objectives. • Owns relationships with key sponsorship partners and agencies, ensuring high-impact program delivery and on-site event execution. • Track and manage the planning and allocation of budgets for partnership programs, ensuring fiscal responsibility. • Lead negotiations on long-term partner deals to ensure the brand is represented to meet business needs. • Collaborate with the brand team to integrate partnerships into seasonal campaigns, bringing new consumers and a broader reach. • Identify process improvements and implement best practices across the partnership team to enhance productivity and efficiency. • Represent Carhartt at national and strategic partnership events, acting as a brand ambassador. • Serve as the primary escalation point for partnership issues, resolving conflicts and ensuring partner satisfaction. • Collaborate with Retail Brand Managers and other internal stakeholders to maximize the impact of partnership programs on sales and brand awareness. • Lead the development of creative briefs and manage the creative process in partnership with Brand Creative teams. • Develop partnership performance reports, including key metrics, insights, and recommendations for optimization. • Support the integration of partnership activities with D2C, Public Relations, Social Media, Advertising, and Internal Communications. • Execute partnership initiatives and activations designed to support retail store traffic and brand engagement. • Fulfill ticket requests events for local and national events • Ensure compliance with company policies, core values, and legal requirements. Required Education • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related field. Required Skills & Experience • Minimum 7 years of marketing experience within a branded product or consumer-focused environment • Proven experience developing and executing partnership strategies at a national level. • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams • Strong track record of managing complex projects and delivering results under tight deadlines. • Apparel, retail, or consumer products industry experience preferred. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to leadership. • Advanced relationship management skills with agencies, partners, and internal stakeholders. • Outstanding organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and delegate effectively. • Strategic thinker with a passion for consumer engagement and brand building. • Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint/Keynote, Word, and project management tools. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions • Typical office environment; office setting. Extended periods of time sitting, standing, typing on a computer is required. • Willing to work some evenings and weekends if necessary. • National travel required (up to 30%). • ​​ This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities. • Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace. #LI-HYBRID We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All associates are required to understand and act in accordance with the Carhartt Core Values. Carhartt reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, interpret or cancel in whole or in any part, the job duties outlined above at any time and without advance notice to the employee.