Principal Media Partnerships (all genders)

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

Zalando is shifting from a transactional marketplace to a cultural destination—moving from advertiser to publisher. To support this evolution, content partnerships are evolving from ad-hoc additions into core strategic levers that elevate brand equity, drive organic discovery, and position us at the heart of cultural conversations.

This role sits within the Content & Brand Partnerships team and focuses specifically on our Media & Content Partnerships pillar. You will oversee the day-to-day management and execution of strategic relationships with leading publishers, media brands, and IP rights holders across Entertainment, Sport, Fashion, and Music.

Being the Principle Media Partnerships, you are the key connector bridging global strategy and local Go-To-Market (GTM) relevance. You will lead the prioritization of our Partner framework, building key relationships with Partners, shaping the deal structure and ensuring optimized campaign activation and partner success to turn high-impact cultural moments into seamless on- and off-platform experiences. 

WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)
 

• Set the Strategic framework: Develop a clear framework for Partner prioritization, optimizing for global framework deals that offer the highest ROI impact. 

• Bridge Global & Local GTM: Translate global partnership strategy into locally relevant activations across key markets, ensuring content resonates with regional audiences. Work closely with our GTM team to deliver local market relevance and structured Partnership support. 

• Manage Partner Relationships: Act as the primary operational contact for assigned media partners, publishers, and IP holders, ensuring smooth day-to-day collaboration and long-term partner satisfaction.

• Deliver Multi-Channel Activations: Lead end-to-end execution across bespoke co-branded content packages, co-created formats, social/digital activations, brand worlds, and IRL/event experiences.

• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with internal teams including Media, Social, Markets/Propositions, Product, Analytics, ZMS (Zalando Marketing Services) to align paid and organic spend, build bespoke content journeys and monetize partner assets.

• Align with "Big Moments": Apply intake and prioritization logic to tie media campaigns directly to major brand and cultural calendar bets (e.g., World Cup, Berlin Marathon, Fashion Weeks and seasonal trends).

• Manage Operations & Scalability: Oversee multi-market asset pipelines and build self-service structures, activation guidelines, and standardized processes to scale partnership management efficiently.

• Measurement Impact and Insights: Set Benchmarks, monitor performance metrics (Brand consideration and awareness, user engagement, followership growth, GMV uplift, cultural reach) to continuously optimize future activations and increase ROI.

WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF
 

• You have proven experience (6+ years) in partnership management or business development within a media publisher, agency, entertainment, sports, or digital commerce environment on a global scale.

• You hold credibility in the media and entertainment space, with a strong grasp of IP integrations, entertainment or sports formats, media buying, and publisher ecosystems and understand how to optimize for Partner needs while developing value exchanges.

• You have a track record of executing end-to-end 360° content campaigns (social, digital, co-branded content, live events) while maintaining exceptional creative and brand standards.

• You excel at cross-functional orchestration, comfortably navigating relationships between global strategy leads, local marketing teams, and commercial media units (ZMS).

• You possess strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex, high-volume asset pipelines simultaneously.

• You bring an analytical mindset and are comfortable using performance benchmarks and measurement models to track success.

• You are deeply plugged into modern digital culture, Gen Z trends, and entertainment spaces (Music, Sport, Fashion).

• You embrace uncertainty, enjoy building from scratch and apply a solution-oriented mindset when experiencing obstacles. You thrive in bringing structure into chaos and stand out with a “can do” attitude on a daily basis. 
   

If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

OUR OFFER

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer.

• 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)

• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners

• Family support, including counselling and dedicated services for parents and carers

• Company pension scheme

• Employee shares programme

• Health and wellbeing options, including Wellhub

• Mental health support and coaching

• Development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review

• 2 paid volunteering days a year

• Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement)

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN
 

If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

At Zalando, our vision is to be the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle – one that thrives on diversity and is truly inclusive by design. We believe that diverse teams fuel innovation and creativity, and we actively seek out talent from all backgrounds.

We actively seek to reduce bias in our hiring and employment processes, focusing on your qualifications, skills, and contributions. To support this, we kindly ask that you refrain from including personal details such as your photo, age, or marital status in your CV, ensuring a fair and equitable evaluation based solely on your abilities and potential.

We are committed to providing an exceptional and accessible candidate experience for everyone. If you require any accommodations to support you throughout the hiring process, please let us know – we are here to assist you.

Discover more about our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/our-culture/diversity-and-inclusion