Director, Brand Partnerships

About the Company:

Rhone is performance driven apparel made by and for those in the pursuit of progress. Founded in 2014 by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts, we exist to inspire, equip, and support individuals in their pursuit of progress—both physically and mentally. More than just apparel, Rhone is a mindset, championing the power of being a little better every day. With a relentless focus on performance, innovation, and style, our products are engineered to move with you—wherever the pursuit takes you.

By the end of 2025, Rhone will operate 22 retail stores across the U.S., each serving as a hub for community, connection, and the Forever Forward mindset.

About the role

Rhone is seeking a Director of Brand Partnerships to lead, evolve, and scale our partnerships ecosystem across brand-to-brand collaborations, leagues, athletes, and strategic alliances. This role will sit at the intersection of brand, growth, and storytelling - owning the strategy, structure, and performance of partnerships that drive meaningful brand awareness, cultural relevance, and long‑term business impact.

Reporting to the VP of Brand Marketing, the Director of Brand Partnerships will be responsible for setting the vision for partnerships at Rhone, defining clear objectives and success metrics, negotiating and managing high-impact relationships, and building repeatable, data-informed practices that support both brand and commercial goals. This role will also be responsible for building and leading a partnerships team over time.

This is a senior, highly visible role that requires strategic rigor, strong executive presence, and the ability to operate both at a high level and in the details when needed.

Key Responsibilities

Set Partnership Strategy & Vision

• Define and own Rhone’s holistic partnerships strategy across brand-to-brand collaborations, leagues, and athletes

• Establish clear objectives, ideal partner profiles, and a long-term roadmap aligned to Rhone’s brand positioning, growth goals, and customer acquisition strategy

• Continuously evaluate the partnership portfolio to ensure relevance, performance, and brand alignment

Lead and Manage High-Impact Partnerships

• Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with strategic partners, including complementary brands, sports leagues, and athletes

• Ensure each partnership has clearly defined goals, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics

• Serve as a senior point of contact for external partners, maintaining strong, trusted relationships and executive-level communication

Drive Integration & Go‑To‑Market Execution

• Work cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, Product, Creative, Growth, Retail, Wholesale, and Ecomm to integrate partnerships into seasonal campaigns, product launches, and key brand moments

• Oversee partnership activation strategies from concept through execution, ensuring alignment with GTM plans and consistent brand storytelling

• Create standardized partner toolkits, training materials, and go-to-market frameworks to ensure clarity and consistency across channels

Performance, Measurement & Reporting

• Build and own a comprehensive partnership measurement framework to track performance across awareness, engagement, revenue, and retention

• Establish regular reporting cadences and post-activation recaps, delivering insights and recommendations to senior leadership

• Manage partnership budgets, ensuring disciplined spend, ROI accountability, and clear communication of performance against investment

• Establish clear processes, workflows, and prioritization frameworks to ensure efficiency and accountability

Strategic Leadership

• Partner closely with senior leadership to inform broader brand and growth strategy through partnerships

• Present partnership plans, performance, and opportunities to executive stakeholders with clarity and confidence

• Stay close to cultural, sports, and industry trends to proactively identify new opportunities for Rhone

• Remain hands‑on where needed, especially as the team grows, setting the standard for execution and ownership

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, brand marketing, sports marketing, or related…