📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Surfshark
🔹 Location: Kaunas, Lithuania (On-site) or Vilnius, Lithuania (On-site)
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Sales
🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 office days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing and growing relationships with existing strategic affiliate partners in North America and the EU
- Researching, contacting, and negotiating new partnerships
- Negotiating custom deals, commission structures, and promotional opportunities
- Implementing performance incentives and rewards to motivate and retain high-value affiliates
- Analyzing performance data and optimizing campaigns to improve ROAS for key affiliates
- Staying informed about industry trends and competitor strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of business development, communication, negotiation, and data analysis skills. Success in this position will depend on the candidate's ability to build strong relationships, analyze data, and make strategic decisions.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage and grow relationships with existing strategic affiliate partners in North America and the EU
✅ Research, contact, and negotiate new partnerships targeting both affiliates already in the industry and potential partners new to the space
✅ Negotiate custom deals, commission structures, and promotional opportunities with strategic partners
✅ Implement performance incentives and rewards to motivate and retain high-value affiliates
✅ Analyze performance data and optimize campaigns to improve ROAS for key affiliates
✅ Stay informed about industry trends and competitor strategies to maintain a competitive edge
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of proactive outreach, relationship management, data analysis, and strategic decision-making. Successful candidates will be comfortable working independently and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) in strategic partnerships marketing, key account management, or key affiliate management
Required Skills:
- Strong negotiation and communication skills
- Excellent analytical and data interpretation abilities
- Strong relationship-building and English communication skills
- Goal and growth-oriented mindset
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with tools like Ahrefs, SimilarWeb, Salesforce, MixMax, Looker, Impact, CJ, Tune (HasOffers)
- Familiarity with affiliate marketing platforms and technologies
- Basic digital marketing knowledge: SEO, CRO, content marketing, display advertising
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, relevant experience and skills are more important for success in this role. Candidates with a strong track record in strategic partnerships, key account management, or affiliate management are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €2500 - €4300 per month + bonuses. The exact salary will depend on the candidate's skills and experience.
Benefits:
- Growth and learning opportunities (time dedicated to learning, conferences, online learning platforms, and books)
- Health and wellness benefits (online workouts, physical coach, health insurance, regular mental health checks)
- Tools of your choice (choose the technical equipment and tools you need to do your best work)
- Community and celebrations (yearly workation, Friday get-togethers, various team buildings, and company celebrations)
- Work-life balance (up to two remote days per week, work from almost anywhere in the world with WFA policy)
- More days off (additional vacation days depending on tenure)
- Premium Surfshark accounts (for you, your family, and friends)
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, totaling 40 hours per week.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior-level marketing role in Lithuania. The final offer will depend on the candidate's skills, experience, and negotiation.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Information Security
Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to Medium-sized company)
Founded: 2011 (14 years ago)
Company Description:
- Surfshark is a global privacy and security company that provides VPN services to protect users' online activities
- The company is known for its strong commitment to user privacy and security, with features like a strict no-log policy, advanced encryption, and a network of servers worldwide
- Surfshark offers a range of plans to suit different user needs, including a free version with limited features
Company Specialties:
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- Online privacy and security
- Cybersecurity solutions
Company Website: surfshark.com
ASSUMPTION: Surfshark is a growing company in the competitive VPN industry. Working here offers opportunities for professional growth and exposure to cutting-edge technologies in the cybersecurity field.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior (Managerial level with strategic decision-making responsibilities)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Affiliates or a similar senior manager within the marketing department
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 office days per week, with the possibility of working from almost anywhere in the world with the WFA policy)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into a leadership role within the Affiliates team or the broader marketing department
- Opportunities to work on strategic projects and initiatives that drive the company's growth
- Access to learning and development resources to support professional growth
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a real impact on the company's success and advance their career within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces in Kaunas and Vilnius, Lithuania
Office Location(s): Kaunas (Kauno Miestas) and Vilnius (Vilniaus Miestas), Lithuania
Geographic Context:
- Kaunas and Vilnius are major cities in Lithuania, offering a mix of urban and natural environments
- Both cities have vibrant tech industries and are home to numerous startups and established tech companies
- The cost of living in Lithuania is generally lower than in Western European countries, offering a more affordable lifestyle
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, totaling 40 hours per week, with up to two remote days per week
ASSUMPTION: Working in Lithuania offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, a lower cost of living, and a thriving tech industry. Candidates should consider these factors when evaluating the opportunity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- Technical interview with the Affiliates team to assess data analysis and strategic thinking skills
- Final interview with the Head of Affiliates or a senior manager to discuss cultural fit and career aspirations
Key Assessment Areas:
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in strategic partnerships, key account management, or affiliate management
- Demonstrate your understanding of the VPN industry and Surfshark's unique value proposition
- Prepare examples of your data analysis skills and strategic decision-making abilities
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Affiliate Marketing, Key Account Management, Data Analysis, Negotiation, English Communication, Goal-Oriented, Growth-Oriented
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's data analysis, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Candidates should prepare accordingly.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Ahrefs
- SimilarWeb
- Salesforce
- MixMax
- Looker
- Impact
- CJ
- Tune (HasOffers)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is not required but may be beneficial for candidates with relevant experience in affiliate marketing or strategic partnerships.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Privacy by Design
- Transparency
- Innovation
- Simplicity
- Customer Obsessed
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and open to change
- Results-focused and goal-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Surfshark's company values, particularly 'Privacy by Design' and 'Customer Obsessed'?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, data-driven environment?
- Do you thrive in a results-focused, goal-oriented work culture?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should assess their fit with Surfshark's company values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling employment experience.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large portfolio of affiliate partners, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Keeping up with industry trends and competitor strategies, demanding continuous learning and adaptation
- Balancing the need for growth and innovation with the requirement to maintain strong relationships with existing partners
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that may require flexibility and adaptability
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and the fast-growing nature of the VPN industry. Successful candidates will be able to navigate these challenges and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior affiliate marketing roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on strategic decision-making and data analysis
- In the broader VPN industry, Surfshark is known for its strong commitment to user privacy and security, making this role an attractive opportunity for candidates interested in these aspects
- Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions within the Affiliates team or the broader marketing department, offering long-term growth potential
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and interests in the VPN industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a data-driven strategy to optimize affiliate campaign performance and improve ROAS
- Negotiating custom deals and promotional opportunities with strategic partners to drive growth and revenue
- Analyzing industry trends and competitor strategies to identify new partnership opportunities and maintain a competitive edge
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and collaborative nature of the role, highlighting the importance of strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits into the broader Affiliates team and marketing department?
- How does Surfshark support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Affiliates team in the coming months, and how can this role address them?
- How does Surfshark differentiate itself from competitors in the VPN industry, and how does this role contribute to that differentiation?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how is this role expected to fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application and potential fit.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in strategic partnerships, key account management, or affiliate management
- Prepare examples of your data analysis skills and strategic decision-making abilities
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
