📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Affiliate Marketing Specialist
🔹 Company: Fanatics
🔹 Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days/week in-office)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 1-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Manchester) with flexible remote options
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting and optimizing affiliate and influencer campaigns using performance data and insights
- Building and managing relationships with affiliate partners and media agencies
- Collaborating cross-functionally to identify commercial opportunities and deliver aligned activity
- Reporting on key KPIs, campaign results, and partner performance
- Representing Fanatics confidently within the sports and affiliate marketing community
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with Impact.com is a plus.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Support and optimize affiliate and influencer campaigns using performance data, attribution insights, and ROI analysis
✅ Build and manage relationships with affiliate partners, media agencies, platforms, and influencers
✅ Collaborate with internal teams (trading, creative, CRM) to identify commercial opportunities and deliver aligned activity
✅ Report on key KPIs, campaign results, and partner performance to the Affiliate Marketing Lead and wider business
✅ Use Impact.com to manage contracts, tracking, reporting, and commission payments
✅ Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor activity, and new affiliate opportunities
✅ Represent Fanatics confidently within the sports and affiliate marketing community
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication and analytical skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 1-2 years of hands-on affiliate marketing experience, ideally across multiple brands or programs
Required Skills:
- Proactive mindset and willingness to build and nurture relationships
- Strong analytical skills – confident working with data to identify trends and insights
- Excellent communicator and collaborator, comfortable working cross-functionally
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and timelines in a fast-moving environment
- Familiarity with standard tools like Excel/Sheets and PowerPoint
Preferred Skills:
- Agency-side experience
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates currently operating at Affiliate Executive level are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £28,000 - £35,000 per annum (based on experience and market rates for the role and location)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary + performance-based bonus
- Flexible working options (2 remote days/week)
- Career development, mentoring, and training opportunities
- A dynamic, supportive, and collaborative office environment
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), with flexible remote options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market rates for the role, experience level, and location. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Fanatics is a global sports and entertainment company that operates in the manufacturing industry, focusing on trading cards, entertainment, sports, and collectibles.
Company Size: Fanatics has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: The Topps Company, Inc., which is now part of Fanatics Collectibles, was founded in 1938. Fanatics itself was founded in 2010.
Company Description:
- Fanatics is the preeminent leader in physical and digital collectibles, with a focus on trading cards and memorabilia.
- The company produces collectibles related to iconic and pop culture brands such as Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Star Wars, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, World Wrestling Entertainment, and Garbage Pail Kids.
- Fanatics' Digital Apps division produces and operates mobile applications that give users access to exclusive digital card collections.
Company Specialties:
- Trading Cards
- Entertainment
- Sports
- and Collectibles
Company Website: www.topps.com
ASSUMPTION: Fanatics offers a dynamic work environment with a strong focus on sports and entertainment collectibles. The company's acquisition of The Topps Company in 2022 has expanded its offerings and market reach.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for candidates with 1-2 years of experience, operating at the Affiliate Executive level or equivalent.
Reporting Structure: The Affiliate Marketing Specialist will report directly to the Affiliate Marketing Lead.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with 3 days/week required in the Manchester office and 2 remote days/week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to Affiliate Marketing Manager or similar roles within the marketing department
- Expanding responsibilities and managing a team as the company grows
- Cross-functional collaboration and learning opportunities within Fanatics' diverse business segments
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within Fanatics' expanding collectibles and sports entertainment business.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Fanatics' Manchester office is a collaborative and dynamic workspace, with a focus on sports and entertainment collectibles.
Office Location(s): 1 Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004, US (headquarters); Manchester, United Kingdom (this role)
Geographic Context:
- Manchester is a vibrant city in the North West of England, known for its rich industrial history and cultural scene.
- The city is home to several major sports teams, including Manchester United and Manchester City, providing ample opportunities for sports marketing and engagement.
- Manchester has a thriving digital and tech industry, with a strong talent pool and supportive business ecosystem.
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), with flexible remote options (2 days/week)
ASSUMPTION: Manchester offers a dynamic and engaging work environment, with a strong focus on sports and entertainment collectibles, and a thriving digital and tech industry.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Affiliate Marketing Lead and a team member
- Final interview with the Head of Marketing or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Affiliate marketing experience and expertise
- Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Fanatics' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant affiliate marketing experience and skills.
- Be prepared to discuss specific campaign examples, data analysis, and industry trends during the interview.
- Research Fanatics and The Topps Company to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its products.
ATS Keywords: Affiliate Marketing, Performance Optimization, Campaign Management, Data Analysis, Relationship Building, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Impact.com, Trading Cards, Sports, Entertainment
ASSUMPTION: Fanatics' application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit. The interview process may vary depending on the specific role and department.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Impact.com (affiliate marketing platform)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard within the affiliate marketing industry and can be easily adapted by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for sports and entertainment collectibles
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous learning
- Customer focus
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Flexible and adaptable to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong passion for sports and entertainment collectibles?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and collaborating cross-functionally?
- Do you have a data-driven mindset and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Fanatics' company culture values passion, collaboration, innovation, customer focus, and integrity. Candidates who align with these values and work styles will thrive in this environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple tasks and timelines in a fast-paced environment
- Building and maintaining relationships with affiliate partners and media agencies
- Staying up to date with industry trends, competitor activity, and new affiliate opportunities
- Adapting to changes in the sports and entertainment collectibles market
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the affiliate marketing industry and can be effectively managed by candidates with relevant experience and a proactive mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to Affiliate Marketing Manager roles, this position has a stronger focus on campaign optimization and relationship building, with less emphasis on strategic planning and team management.
- Within the affiliate marketing industry, this role is typical for candidates with 1-2 years of experience, operating at the Affiliate Executive level or equivalent.
- Career progression from this role could lead to Affiliate Marketing Manager or similar positions, with opportunities for team management and strategic decision-making.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates with relevant affiliate marketing experience to grow and develop their skills in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Optimizing an affiliate campaign for a major sports league, leading to a 20% increase in conversions and ROI
- Building and maintaining relationships with key affiliate partners, resulting in expanded program reach and increased revenue
- Analyzing campaign performance data to identify trends and insights, informing strategic decisions and driving program growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the key responsibilities and required skills for the Affiliate Marketing Specialist role at Fanatics.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the Affiliate Marketing team's structure and how this role fits within it?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Fanatics support the professional development and growth of its affiliate marketing team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in affiliate marketing at Fanatics, and how can this role address them?
- How does Fanatics approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role, team, and company culture, helping candidates make informed decisions about their application and potential fit with Fanatics.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Fanatics careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant affiliate marketing experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your campaign management, data analysis, and industry trend analysis to discuss during the interview
- Research Fanatics and The Topps Company to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its products
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
