Job Description
Title Brand Partnerships Manager
Location On-Site with Periodic Travel for Events and Partner Engagements
Department Commercial
Reports To SVP, Business Development
Job Type Full-Time | Exempt / Salaried
Effective Date March 17, 2026
ABOUT HYDROBUILDER HOLDINGS
Hydrobuilder Holdings (HBH) exists to empower growers to thrive. As one of the largest providers of products, services and technology to the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry, we support cultivators across the spectrum - from large commercial facilities to independent growers - helping them improve yields, operate more efficiently and grow sustainably.
Elevated, our commercial division, is a tech-enabled service platform supporting professional cultivators from build-out through harvest with Account Executives, Cultivation Advisors and AI-driven crop insights. Hydrobuilder.com, "The Growers Marketplace," serves smaller growers through a digital platform offering curated products and education. Our integrated AgTech program combines AI, sensor data and lab analytics to deliver actionable insights that improve cultivation performance.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
The Brand Partnerships Manager is a strategic relationship and partner activation role - not a media production position, editorial role, or general marketing coordinator. This is an operator-level hire for someone who understands how to build and manage ecosystems of influencers, affiliates, and sponsorship partners, and who can translate those relationships into measurable revenue impact. The Brand Partnerships Manager will serve as the primary liaison between Hydrobuilder Holdings' marketing department and its external partner ecosystem, working in close coordination with the SVP of Business Development. This role owns the day-to-day activation, management, and optimization of all partner channels: influencer, affiliate, and brand/media sponsorships. The ideal candidate is a communicator and strategist first - execute with discipline, manage with precision, and escalate strategic decisions to the SVP of Business Development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Influencer & Affiliate Relationship Management
Own day-to-day relationships with assigned influencers and affiliate partners
Manage partner onboarding, activation, and retention workflows
Coordinate directly with the SVP of Business Development on senior-tier influencer strategy and escalations
Maintain active communication cadences with partners to ensure alignment, engagement, and performance
Identify and cultivate new influencer and affiliate prospects aligned with brand positioning
Support scheduling and advance coordination for media shoots, events, and tradeshows in partnership with the SVP, affiliate partners, and internal operations
Affiliate Program Strategy & Optimization
Develop a thorough working knowledge of the company's affiliate incentive structure and program mechanics
Design partner-specific activation strategies that maximize utilization of available incentives
Track affiliate performance data and produce regular reporting on conversion rates, revenue attribution, and program health
Identify underperforming partners and develop remediation or reactivation plans
Recommend program enhancements based on performance trends and partner feedback
Sponsorship & Media Partnership Execution
Manage brand collaboration logistics across podcast sponsorships, webinars, events, media assets, swag, and visual content
Coordinate partner deliverables, timelines, and approval workflows across all active sponsorship agreements
Serve as the operational point of contact for media and brand partners from contract execution through campaign close
Represent the company at sponsored events, partner activations, and industry appearances as required
Marketing-to-Sales Integration
Translate partner marketing activity into documented, measurable sales impact
Collaborate with the internal marketing and sales teams to align partner campaigns with revenue goals and sales cycles
Ensure affiliate and influencer activity is tracked through the funnel and attributed accurately
Surface partnership-driven insights that inform broader go-to-market strategy
Content & Asset Coordination
Brief internal and external media teams on deliverable requirements for partner campaigns
Review and approve partner-facing creative assets - this role coordinates and approves, it does not produce
Maintain a working knowledge of brand standards and ensure partner-generated content is on-brand
Manage asset libraries and coordinate timely delivery of materials to partners
Scope Boundary - What This Role Does Not Do
Produce, edit, or design creative content independently
Manage paid media campaigns or own advertising budgets
Operate as a general marketing coordinator for non-partner activities
Independently negotiate or execute contracts without SVP review
Deliver strategic direction on influencer tier relationships without SVP alignment
Strategic partner authority is reserved for the SVP of Business Development
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)
Affiliate-driven revenue and conversion rate: tracked month-over-month and quarter-over-quarter
Affiliate incentive utilization rate = 85% of available program incentives actively leveraged
Influencer and affiliate activation rate = 80% of enrolled partners with active, in-market content
Partner retention rate = 90% of influencer and affiliate relationships renewed or maintained quarter-to-quarter
Partner campaign ROI: revenue and lead attribution documented per campaign, by partner tier
Webinar and event lead generation volume from partner-driven channels: reported monthly
Reporting turnaround and CRM data integrity: all partner activity documented within 48 hours of touchpoint
KEY CHALLENGES
Managing a wide partner ecosystem without losing relationship depth or strategic focus - this role must stay proactive, not reactive
Maintaining scope discipline: coordinating and activating partner activity without absorbing production, editing, or design work
Influencing cross-functional alignment without positional authority, relying on credibility, communication, and documented performance data
Building brand fluency and systems literacy quickly - off-brand partner communications and sloppy CRM documentation are not acceptable
Navigating cannabis industry cultural dynamics to accelerate partner trust and shorten the ramp to channel effectiveness
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Cannabis industry experience strongly preferred; candidates with this background will be prioritized
Demonstrated background in strategic marketing, brand marketing, or partner marketing
Proven experience managing affiliate programs, influencer partnerships, or brand sponsorship relationships
Exceptional communicator - clear, direct, and professional in written and verbal form; presentable for partner-facing and event contexts
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple active partnerships and workstreams simultaneously without loss of quality or accountability
Proficiency with AI tools - specifically Claude and AI-assisted marketing platforms; candidates should be active, capable users
Hands-on experience with podcast sponsorships, webinar production logistics, and live event activations preferred
Familiarity with affiliate tracking software and partner management platforms preferred
Light media literacy - ability to brief, review, and provide feedback on creative assets preferred
Experience working in a cross-functional environment alongside sales and marketing teams preferred
COMPENSATION
Base Salary: Commensurate with experience - competitive within the commercial marketing and partner management market
Performance-based incentives tied to affiliate revenue, program growth, and partner activation KPIs
Cell phone stipend
Travel reimbursement for approved event and partner engagement travel
BENEFITS
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development and training opportunities
Flexible work schedule and remote work options