Affiliate Marketing Specialist

Horizon Hobby•Champaign, IL

10d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Affiliate Marketing Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day execution, growth, and optimization of Horizon Hobby’s affiliate marketing programs. Reporting to the Director of Digital Marketing, this role manages affiliate operations, develops partner relationships, coordinates product launches and campaigns, monitors performance, and identifies opportunities to grow the affiliate channel. Working closely with affiliates, creators, and teams across Digital Marketing and the broader organization, the specialist helps identify and elevate partner content and collaboration opportunities across Horizon Hobby’s marketing channels. The role calls for a proactive, organized person who can own execution while bringing forward ideas that strengthen the program. This is a full-time, on-site position in Champaign, Illinois, with working hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typical pay is $55,000–$65,000, with the final offer based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. The position may also be eligible for a bonus not included in the base pay range. Occasional travel may be needed for company events, industry events, and other activations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
Strong understanding of digital and social media marketing and the role creators, content, and affiliate partnerships can play throughout the customer journey.
Comfort working with performance data and using reporting to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build relationships with external partners and collaborate effectively across internal teams.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple partners, launches, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to take ownership of responsibilities and bring forward new ideas and opportunities.

Nice To Haves

2–4 years of experience in affiliate marketing, influencer/creator marketing, performance marketing, ecommerce, digital marketing, or a related field.
Experience with affiliate marketing platforms such as AvantLink, CJ Affiliate, Impact, Awin, Rakuten, or similar platforms.
Knowledge of the RC hobby or experience working within enthusiast-driven industries.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day execution and health of affiliate programs, including partner applications, onboarding, account maintenance, tracking, communications, and troubleshooting.
Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for affiliate partners, building working relationships and supporting the Director of Digital Marketing with key strategic partnerships.
Recruit and develop affiliates, creators, publishers, and other partners aligned with Horizon Hobby’s brands, audiences, and business objectives.
Coordinate affiliate support for product launches, promotions, and campaigns, including product seeding, affiliate setup, product information, links, timing, and partner follow-up.
Monitor affiliate and creator content across social and digital platforms, engage with partners, and identify opportunities to amplify strong content across social, email, paid, and other marketing channels.
Monitor and analyze affiliate performance, including revenue, traffic, conversion, and partner performance, and provide regular reporting, insights, and recommendations.
Identify and recommend program growth opportunities through partner development, new partnerships, promotions, incentives, commission strategies, and other optimizations.
Stay current on affiliate marketing trends, emerging creators, platforms, and technologies, and bring relevant opportunities and recommendations forward.
Travel occasionally to support affiliate partnerships at company events, industry events, and other activations as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
HSA and FSA options.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
401(k) with company match.
Paid time off.
Paid holidays.
Internal rewards.
Product discounts.
Additional coverage options, including accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet insurance.