Freelance/Contract Affiliate Marketing Manager

About the RoleCakeCommerce is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented, and strategic Affiliate Marketing Manager (Contract) to support the ongoing management and growth of affiliate programs for our DTC and beauty/lifestyle clients.This is a hands-on contract role focused on both program performance and partner growth. You will audit and optimize affiliate programs, recruit high-value partners, and build performance-driven strategies across platforms like Impact, Rakuten, CJ, Aspire, and ShareASale. You will also collaborate cross-functionally with our Paid Media and Influencer teams to align efforts and maximize impact.This role goes beyond program maintenance. We are looking for a strategic partner who can elevate performance, optimize proactively, and identify growth opportunities that move brands forward.Engagement DetailsType: 1099 ContractorTimeline: Anticipated start in November or December 2025.Location: Remote (US-based preferred)Tools: Impact, Rakuten, CJ, Aspire, ShareASale, Google Workspace, Slack, Asana.Collaboration: Weekly async check-ins with CakeCommerces Paid Media team; coordination with client strategy and influencer teams as needed.What Youll DoConduct affiliate program audits to identify underperforming partners, broken tracking, and payment issues.Optimize commission structures and bonus tiers based on partner quality and conversion data.Reactivate legacy partners such as Rakuten, Capital One, and Honey through direct outreach and updated offers.Recruit high-value affiliate partners across content creators, bloggers, review sites, and publishers.Use tools like Aspire and Impact to onboard and track performance-based creators.Upload, manage, and rotate creative assets such as banners, brand story content, and seasonal offers.Track and analyze affiliate performance to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for growth.Recommend paid placements and publisher collaborations aligned with key calendar events.Collaborate with brand teams to ensure affiliate and influencer strategies are integrated and performance-aligned.Deliver monthly performance reports highlighting results, insights, and strategic recommendations.What You Bring3 or more years of experience in affiliate marketing, ideally within ecommerce or DTC brands.Hands-on experience with affiliate platforms such as Impact, CJ, Rakuten, Aspire, or ShareASale.Experience managing both coupon/loyalty and content-driven affiliate partners.Strong understanding of tracking, attribution, and performance reporting.Excellent communication and relationship management skills with both clients and partners.Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing multiple programs simultaneously.Bonus PointsExperience combining affiliate and influencer strategies into cohesive affluencer programs.Background in beauty, wellness, or purpose-driven consumer brands.Familiarity with SEO, email marketing, or paid social creative to support multi-channel growth.Agency or multi-client management experience.Scope & DeliverablesAffiliate program audits and optimization plans.Partner recruitment and outreach execution.Monthly reporting and performance insights.Ongoing creative management and partner communication.Cross-channel alignment with influencer and paid media campaigns.Why Youll Love Working with CakeCommerceYoull join a collaborative team that thrives on curiosity, integrity, and performance. We believe great affiliate marketing combines relationship-building with data-driven insight, and we are passionate about helping DTC brands scale sustainably. If you are a strategic affiliate marketer who enjoys blending partnership development with measurable growth, we would love to connect with you. recblid 50pp6wqqusquilvqymbafv56esxu6v