Position Summary:

We are looking for a dynamic and style-forward Strategic Partnership Manager of North America to enhance VEJA through all channels via brand collaborations and projects, ambassadorship and market development. Strategic Partnerships include initiatives that shape VEJA’s brand positioning, business growth, and cultural relevance. 

This role acts the creative and strategic radar for the North American market, to identify, spearhead and manage strategic partnerships between VEJA and external brands, creators, and cultural movements for the region. 

The demands market vision, commercial expertise, business acumen, and strong cross-functional communication to align internal and external stakeholders across all stages of brand engagement. 

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to: 

Partnership Strategy & Development 

• With North American and global leadership, definethestrategicpartnershiproadmap that delivers business and brand resultsin all channels:Wholesale,Retail,eCommerce,Communications. 
• Identifyand evaluaterelevant brands,designers, talents,and cultural movementsin North Americaandproposehigh-potential opportunities aligned with VEJA’s vision.
• Select,approach,and negotiatewithpotential partners to definestrategicpartnershipobjectives.
• Monitor market trends and competitive landscapes toanticipateopportunities on a continual basis. Act as the go-to expert for North Americaformarketexpertiseand best practices. 
• Partner with Head of Sales to foster key retail partnerships with Tier 0 / 1 accounts,i.e.Leisure Centre,Feature,Lost & Found,Laps, KITH,Maxfield, etc.,andcoordinatecommercialdistribution strategyforboth global and local impact. 
• Partner with Retail General Managerto buildlocalpartnershipsand enhancementsfortheretail boutique communitydriving traffic and customer acquisition. 
• Partner withCommunicationsto maximizestrategicbrandinitiatives and eventsviadigital,public relations andinfluencer communities. 
• Build, develop, and actively manage long-term partner relationships, ensuring they consistently generate value for both parties. 

Brand Ambassador & Events 

• RepresentVEJA at -internaland external -events, pop-ups,activations,openings, launches, etc. 
• Buildlong-termrelationships with local communities, influencers, and retailpartnersdriving engagement,brand education, andauthentic connections.

• Provideconsistent marketfeedback on consumer trends, preferences, and competitoractivityincluding opportunities to expand the VEJAbusiness,brandandProject. 

Cross-Functional Management 

• Serve as the key point of contact between VEJAglobaland the North Americanpartners,ensuring alignment and smooth communication across allpartnership andproject touchpoints.
• With aNorth American lens, lead the internal validation process of eachstrategic projectwith the Commercial and Studio teams. 
• In partnership with global, oversee timelines, budgets, and deliverables to guaranteesuccess. 
• Collaborate with North America and global communication teams to support launch strategies,i.e.events, activations, digital,salesand communications tools, etc. as needed. 
• Stay connected to theend-to-end execution ofpartnerships andprojects: from first contact to launch on the market, and post-mortem analysis.

Required Skills & Profile

• Commitment to the VEJA Project and vision; passionate about fair-trade brands with the ability to speak confidently about the VEJA Project, both internally and externally. 
• 7+ years insimilarrole withpartnerships,businessdevelopment, marketing,and/or brand collaborations inthestreetwear,fashionor lifestyleindustry. 
• Deep understanding of the region’sfashion,culture, and consumer landscape, with a sharp eye for emergingtrends,brands,and influential creators.
• Highly networked inthestreetwear,fashionand/orlifestylecommunity, with strongdigitalengagementand in-personpresence. Must havea networkof Tier 0/1 wholesale partners.
• Proventrack recordof securing and managingstrategic partnershipswithmeasurableROI. 
• Ability to define KPIs ofstrategic projects,i.e.sales, visibility, brand impact, andpresentleadership.Highlybalanced mindset between creative,commercialand businessobjectives. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication with the ability to navigate cross-functional teams across multiple countries and hierarchies.
• Proactivity, creative sensibility, strategic thinking, and organizationalexpertiseare essential.
• Solid knowledge of product development, commercial operations, and communicationworkflows.
• Ability to travel up to40%of the year, both domesticallyand internationally. 
• Bachelor’s degreerequiredinmarketing,businessand/orcommunications.French, Spanish, and/or Portugueselanguage skills area plus. 
• Thebasesalaryrangefor this role is$125,000-$135,000annually, plus bonus opportunity, with a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, 401k and more.