Senior Manager, Agency & Brand Partnerships

Decatur, IL (Hybrid)

Salary Not AvailableSenior Level5+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Own high impact agency and brand partnerships by turning data driven insights into revenue and shaping the go to market while closing complex deals.

  • Partnership Ownership: Activate and expand relationships across agencies and brands to unlock revenue opportunities.
  • Commercial Leadership: Lead engagements from first call through deal structure and execution, expanding in priority accounts.
  • Cross functional Delivery: Partner with Product, Data Science, Marketing, and Ops to deliver outcomes and inform strategy.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Activate and expand relationships across agency and brand partners to introduce Backpack Media and unlock new revenue opportunities
  • Lead commercial engagements from initial conversation through deal structure and execution
  • Secure new partnerships while growing existing relationships across priority accounts
  • Translate Backpack Media’s predictive insights and life stage intelligence into clear and compelling value for clients
  • Structure and execute programmatic and managed service campaigns aligned to client objectives
  • Help establish Backpack Media’s presence within agencies and brands by shaping how we go to market
  • Partner closely with Product, Data Science, Marketing, and Operations to deliver strong outcomes and inform future strategy
  • Represent Backpack Media externally and build credibility within the broader advertising ecosystem

Requirements

  • 5+ years of sales experience in digital media, ad tech, data, or programmatic solutions
  • Strong, active network across agencies, trading desks, and brand marketers with direct influence on media investment decisions
  • Proven ability to build and grow relationships that translate into revenue
  • Track record of driving adoption of new or emerging products or solutions
  • Deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem, including how data, targeting, and activation work together
  • Ability to translate complex data and product capabilities into clear commercial narratives
  • Strong communication skills with experience engaging senior client stakeholders
  • Self-directed, adaptable, and comfortable operating in fast moving environments

Preferred

  • Comfortable building relationships and creating new opportunities, not just managing existing ones
  • Energized by bringing new ideas to market and helping shape how something grows
  • Able to move quickly, take ownership, and navigate evolving priorities
  • Interested in working closely across teams to bring new solutions to clients

Benefits

  • Competitive base salaries
  • Bonus incentives
  • Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed
  • Support for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer match
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more
  • Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance
  • Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
  • Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs
  • Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)
  • Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs
  • Career development and training opportunities
Sallie Mae logo

Sallie Mae

3.7 Glassdoor

Sallie Mae’s mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. We believe college should be affordable, equitable, and accessible for all students. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and expertise to support college access and completion. We offer products and resources to help students and families start smart in planning for higher education, ensuring opportunities to learn and dream big.

Founded in 1998
Newark, Delaware, USA
3.1K employees (138 in marketing)
70% recommend to a friend
75% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
1.5M
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$776.7K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
36.6%
Direct
57.5%
Referral
4.9%
Social
0.1%
Paid
0.7%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~3.1K

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
96 (3% of company)
Median Career Experience
15 years
Median Tenure
4.7 years

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