Director, Affiliate Strategy
About third
Third is a modern-commerce growth company helping brands turn new and emerging platforms into real sales channels.
Our integrated acquisition strategy connects best-in-class teams across TikTok, Whatnot, Meta, Snap, and beyond - eliminating the need to stitch together multiple partners.
Third blends deep niche expertise with modern execution to launch,operate, and scale commerce on new platforms, transforming culture, creators, and content into real product sales.
The Role
We’re looking for a Director of Affiliate Strategy to build and scale Third’s affiliate strategy across our portfolio of consumer brands and retail partners. This role owns the development, execution, and optimization of affiliate programs that drive measurable GMV growth, with an initial focus on TikTok Shop.
Reporting to the VP of Delivery, you’ll sit at the center of creator partnerships, commerce strategy, platform expertise, and operational execution.
You’ll define how affiliate programs are structured end to end, from recruitment and activation through engagement, retention, and ongoing performance optimization.
Beyond strategy, you’ll build and lead a team responsible for execution, building scalable systems and workflows that ensure affiliate programs consistently perform at a high standard across clients.
You’ll partner closely with Client Services, Paid Media, Livestream, Creative, and Commerce Operations to ensure affiliate strategy is fully embedded into broader performance efforts.
At its core, this role is about building systems where everyone wins — the brand, the affiliate, and the platform — and making that model work at scale.
What You’ll Do
Shape the Affiliate Ecosystem
- Own affiliate strategy across our client portfolio, with an initial focus on TikTok Shop.
- Develop scalable frameworks for affiliate recruitment, activation, engagement, and retention.
- Create programs that drive measurable GMV growth while aligning with client goals and budgets.
- Define when and how brands should engage with affiliates, influencers, and creator networks.
- Continuously test, measure, and optimize performance to improve results over time.
Activate the Network
- Build and lead a best-in-class affiliate community that attracts high-performing creators and sellers.
- Develop communications, incentives, and resources that help affiliates succeed.
- Ensure creators receive strong campaign briefs, content direction, and performance insights.
- Create an ecosystem built around long-term partnership, not one-time transactions.
Lead the Category
- Stay ahead of platform updates, affiliate programs, incentives, and policy changes across social commerce.
- Monitor competitive ecosystems including Amazon, Shopify, Whatnot, and emerging commerce platforms.
- Identify new opportunities that create a competitive advantage for Third and our clients.
- Serve as the company's subject matter expert on affiliate commerce and creator partnerships.
Build the Operating System
- Manage, coach, and develop the team responsible for affiliate recruitment and program execution.
- Establish performance metrics, workflows, and quality standards.
- Build scalable systems that improve efficiency while maintaining a high-quality affiliate experience.
- Partner closely with Client Success, Paid Media, Livestream, Creative, and Commerce Operations teams.
Measure What Matters
- Own the relationship with Cruva and maximize platform capabilities across sourcing, outreach, management, and reporting.
- Develop dashboards, KPIs, and reporting frameworks that clearly demonstrate affiliate impact.
- Use performance data to identify growth opportunities and improve program effectiveness.
- Turn data into actionable recommendations for clients and internal teams.
Advise and Influence
- Serve as a strategic advisor to clients on affiliate commerce opportunities and growth strategies.
- Present performance insights, recommendations, and program roadmaps to stakeholders.
- Build trust through expertise, communication, and measurable results.
What We’re Looking For
- 7-10 years of experience in affiliate marketing, creator partnerships, influencer marketing, social commerce, or related fields.
- At least 3 years of direct experience managing social affiliate programs.
- Solid understanding of TikTok Shop affiliates and creator ecosystems; understanding of TikTok Shop's Affiliate Center and its core functionality and capabilities.
- Deep knowledge of TSP incentives, Seller incentives and Creator incentives across TikTok Shop.
- Hands-on experience with Lark's suite of office tools.
- Strong understanding of affiliate business models, incentives, attribution, and performance measurement.
- Experience building and scaling affiliate programs that drive measurable revenue growth.
- Experience managing affiliate technology platforms, creator tools, or affiliate SaaS solutions.
- Proven leadership experience, including managing remote or distributed teams.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn performance data into strategic action.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
- Experience working with consumer brands, retailers, agencies, or commerce-focused organizations is preferred.
Who You Are
You think in systems, not silos.
You understand what drives performance across creators, platforms, and brands.
You care about outcomes and how they’re achieved.
You’re highly collaborative, low ego, and accountable for results.
You move quickly and improve things as you go.
You balance strategy with execution.
Why This Role Matters
The way brands grow is shifting quickly, with affiliate ecosystems now at the center.
The brands that win won't simply have the largest affiliate programs.
They'll have the strongest ecosystems.
This role will define how Third recruits creators, activates affiliates, and turns influence into measurable revenue growth.
Success here won't just impact our clients. It will establish Third as a category leader in affiliate-driven commerce.
Location
United States | Remote or Hybrid