📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Affiliate Marketing
🔹 Company: Freshworks
🔹 Location: San Mateo, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-18
🔹 Experience Level: 6-8+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and scaling global affiliate and referral marketing strategy
- Accelerating top-of-funnel growth through partnerships, creators, publishers, and performance-driven channels
- Owning affiliate program roadmap, tech stack, and partner ecosystem
- Collaborating cross-functionally with product marketing, brand, digital, legal, and sales ops
- Localizing affiliate strategies across key regions (North America, EMEA, APAC)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, operational rigor, and a deep understanding of performance marketing levers to drive qualified leads and pipeline at scale.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and execute a scalable affiliate program that aligns with business goals, covering lead generation, revenue contribution, and CAC targets
✅ Identify, recruit, and nurture a high-quality network of affiliates, including influencers, publishers, and niche content creators
✅ Own the affiliate platform and manage end-to-end program execution, including onboarding, contracts, commissions, and compliance
✅ Monitor KPIs across traffic, leads, conversion rates, and LTV. Run A/B tests and continuously optimize for quality and scale
✅ Manage spend and ROI across affiliate and partner incentive programs
ASSUMPTION: This role involves hands-on experience with affiliate platforms and tools, as well as strong analytical and reporting skills to connect affiliate performance to broader marketing KPIs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 6-8+ years of experience in affiliate, referral, or performance marketing, preferably in B2B SaaS or eCommerce
Required Skills:
- Proven success scaling affiliate programs that drive qualified leads and pipeline at scale
- Strong analytical and reporting skills; ability to connect affiliate performance to broader marketing KPIs
- Hands-on experience with affiliate platforms and tools (e.g., Impact, PartnerStack, GA4, Salesforce, Looker)
- Excellent partner management skills
- Strong project management and ability to lead cross-functional initiatives
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with global teams and localizing marketing strategies
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in B2B SaaS or eCommerce affiliate marketing are strongly preferred, as they will have a better understanding of the target audience and market dynamics.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $180,900 - $226,100 USD + Variable Compensation
Benefits:
- Dental Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Equity
- ESPP
- Flexible PTO
- Flexible Spending
- Commuter Benefits
- Wellness Benefits
- Adoption Leave
- Parental Leave
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for senior marketing roles in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the company is headquartered. However, the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically Customer Support Software and CRM
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (as of 2023)
Founded: 2010
Company Description:
- Freshworks provides people-first AI service software to deliver exceptional customer and employee experiences
- Offers enterprise-grade solutions that are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results
- Serves over 72,000 companies worldwide, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music
Company Specialties:
- Customer Support Software
- Helpdesk
- Web 2.0
- SaaS
- Support Ticket System
- Web-Based Support Ticket System
- CRM
- ITSM
- Applicant Tracking System
- Conversion Optimization Suite
Company Website: Freshworks
ASSUMPTION: Freshworks is a well-established company in the customer support software and CRM industry, with a strong focus on providing exceptional customer and employee experiences through AI-driven solutions.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the VP of Marketing or a similar executive
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with flexible work arrangements and the option to work from one of Freshworks' global offices
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the affiliate marketing team and take on a more strategic role within the organization
- Opportunity to work on international expansion and gain experience in global marketing
- Chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams and develop leadership skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the chance to build and lead a team, gain international experience, and develop leadership skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Freshworks has multiple offices worldwide, with the headquarters located in San Mateo, California
Office Location(s): San Mateo, California; Chennai, India; London, England; Sydney, Australia; Berlin, Germany; Bengaluru, India
Geographic Context:
- San Mateo is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its vibrant tech industry and diverse culture
- The Bay Area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with numerous outdoor activities and cultural attractions
- Freshworks' global offices provide opportunities for international travel and collaboration
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Freshworks is fast-paced and dynamic, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation. The company offers flexible work arrangements to accommodate employees' needs and preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the VP of Marketing or a similar executive
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Analytical and reporting skills
- Partner management and negotiation skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in affiliate, referral, or performance marketing, with a focus on driving qualified leads and pipeline at scale
- Demonstrate strong analytical and reporting skills, with examples of how you've connected affiliate performance to broader marketing KPIs
- Showcase your ability to work effectively with global teams and localize marketing strategies
ATS Keywords: Affiliate Marketing, Performance Marketing, Lead Generation, Pipeline Contribution, CAC Targets, Affiliate Platforms, Partner Management, Global Expansion, Cross-Functional Collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The application process at Freshworks is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, analytical skills, and ability to work effectively with global teams. Applicants should highlight their relevant experience and provide concrete examples of their achievements in affiliate marketing.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Affiliate platforms (e.g., Impact, PartnerStack)
- Analytics tools (e.g., GA4, Looker)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have hands-on experience with affiliate platforms and tools, as well as strong analytical and reporting skills to connect affiliate performance to broader marketing KPIs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Accountable
- Transparent
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Data-driven and analytical
- Results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment?
- Are you comfortable working with global teams and localizing marketing strategies?
- Do you have strong analytical and reporting skills, and are you able to connect affiliate performance to broader marketing KPIs?
ASSUMPTION: Freshworks values candidates who are customer-centric, innovative, collaborative, accountable, and transparent. Applicants should assess their fit with these values and be prepared to demonstrate their alignment during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a global affiliate program with partners in various time zones
- Balancing the need for quality and scale in affiliate marketing efforts
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Adapting to a fast-paced, high-growth environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in affiliate marketing roles, particularly in a global, fast-paced environment like Freshworks. Successful candidates will have experience overcoming these challenges and be able to demonstrate their ability to do so during the interview process.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other Senior Manager, Affiliate Marketing positions in B2B SaaS or eCommerce companies
- However, Freshworks' focus on exceptional customer and employee experiences through AI-driven solutions sets it apart from other companies in the industry
- This role offers the opportunity to work on international expansion and gain experience in global marketing
ASSUMPTION: While this role is similar to other Senior Manager, Affiliate Marketing positions, Freshworks' unique focus on exceptional customer and employee experiences through AI-driven solutions makes it an attractive opportunity for candidates looking to make a significant impact in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global affiliate marketing strategy that drives qualified leads and pipeline at scale
- Identifying and recruiting high-quality affiliates, including influencers, publishers, and niche content creators
- Optimizing affiliate program performance through A/B testing and continuous improvement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the types of initiatives a Senior Manager, Affiliate Marketing at Freshworks might work on. Successful candidates will have experience developing and executing similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to drive results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the affiliate marketing program and the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does the affiliate marketing team collaborate with other marketing teams, such as product marketing and brand, to ensure consistent messaging and alignment?
- What opportunities are there for international expansion, and how can the affiliate marketing team support this growth?
- How does Freshworks support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in marketing roles?
- What is the work-life balance like for employees in this role, and how does Freshworks support work-life balance initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture. Successful candidates will ask thoughtful, insightful questions that demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in affiliate, referral, or performance marketing, with a focus on driving qualified leads and pipeline at scale
- Write a cover letter that explains your interest in the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for Freshworks
- Prepare examples of your affiliate marketing work, including strategies, campaigns, and results
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
