Principal Media Partnerships (all genders)

Role: Principal Media Partnerships (all genders) Team: Content & Brand Partnerships team, Media & Content Partnerships pillar. Responsibilities: - Set the strategic framework for partner prioritization, optimizing for global framework deals with highest ROI impact. - Bridge global and local go-to-market (GTM) relevance, translating global partnership strategy into locally relevant activations across key markets. - Manage partner relationships as primary operational contact for assigned media partners, publishers, and IP holders. - Deliver multi-channel activations including co-branded content packages, co-created formats, social/digital activations, brand worlds, and IRL/event experiences. - Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal teams (Media, Social, Markets/Propositions, Product, Analytics, ZMS) to align paid and organic spend and monetize partner assets. - Align with 'Big Moments' by tying media campaigns to major brand and cultural calendar events (e.g., World Cup, Berlin Marathon, Fashion Weeks). - Manage operations and scalability: oversee multi-market asset pipelines, build self-service structures, activation guidelines, and standardized processes. - Measure impact and insights: set benchmarks, monitor performance metrics (brand consideration, awareness, engagement, followership growth, GMV uplift, cultural reach) to optimize activations and increase ROI. Qualifications: - 6+ years of experience in partnership management or business development within media publisher, agency, entertainment, sports, or digital commerce on a global scale. - Credibility in media and entertainment space with strong grasp of IP integrations, entertainment/sports formats, media buying, and publisher ecosystems. - Track record of executing end-to-end 360° content campaigns (social, digital, co-branded content, live events) with high creative and brand standards. - Excellent cross-functional orchestration skills, navigating relationships between global strategy leads, local marketing teams, and commercial media units. - Strong project management and organizational skills to manage complex, high-volume asset pipelines. - Analytical mindset with ability to use performance benchmarks and measurement models. - Deeply plugged into modern digital culture, Gen Z trends, and entertainment spaces (Music, Sport, Fashion). - Embrace uncertainty, enjoy building from scratch, solution-oriented, and thrive in bringing structure into chaos. What We Offer: - 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day per 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 training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review - 2 paid volunteering days a year - Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement)