Head of Digital Strategic Partnerships & Investment Optimization

<p><strong><u>We are Kao</u></strong>, listed as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the last 19 years.</p> <p>Our Americas brand portfolio spans across three sectors; <strong>Consumer Care</strong> (<em><u>John Frieda, Bondi Sands, Bioré, Jergens, Curél</u>),</em><strong> Professional Hair</strong> (<em><u>Goldwell, Oribe, KMS Hair, Kerasilk</u></em>), and <strong>Molton Brown.</strong></p> <p>Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.</p> <p><strong>About our role:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Reporting to the VP, AEMEA DX Marketing Centre of Excellence, as Head of Global Platform Partnerships &amp; TikTok Acceleration you will lead two high-impact, enterprise-critical initiatives within the AEMEA Global DX Marketing Center of Excellence:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Own and elevate direct senior relationships with global platform owners</strong> (Meta, Google, ByteDance) to unlock priority access, commercial opportunities, innovation roadmaps, measurement/insights, and scaled enablement.&nbsp; Working closely with the Japan HQ team.</li> <li><strong>Deliver TikTok excellence and acceleration playbooks</strong> through a live “lighthouse” project on a major global brand in a major market—translating learning into repeatable frameworks, operating standards, and performance outcomes.</li> </ol> <p>This role will operate in a <strong>highly matrixed environment</strong>, partnering closely with <strong>Japan HQ teams</strong>, <strong>global brand teams</strong>, and <strong>eCommerce teams</strong>, while building strong strategic relationships with <strong>senior leaders at key agency partners</strong>.</p> <p>This is a rare opportunity to shape a newly created global DX Marketing CoE, build high-leverage partnerships with the world’s most influential platforms, and accelerate commercial outcomes through TikTok excellence—while leading a talented team across three major global hubs.</p> <p><strong>At Kao, we offer amazing benefits that are available to you on your first day of employment (healthcare, 401(k) plus company match), 37 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick) and a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $190,000. We also offer a hybrid work environment.</strong></p> <p><strong>What you will do:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1) Global Platform Partnership Ownership (Meta, Google, ByteDance)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Establish and manage <strong>senior, direct relationships</strong> with global platform owners, ensuring consistent engagement cadence and clear mutual value creation.</li> <li>Negotiate and secure <strong>strategic support</strong> (e.g., beta access, learning agendas, joint business plans, measurement upgrades, creative and commerce innovations).</li> <li>Build a structured <strong>platform governance model</strong> (QBRs, shared roadmaps, escalation paths, stakeholder mapping, decision rights).</li> <li>Translate platform capabilities into <strong>actionable guidance</strong> for brand, eCommerce, and market teams (toolkits, playbooks, training, “what good looks like” standards).</li> <li>Partner with procurement / legal / compliance as required to support engagement models and partnership agreements.</li> </ul> <p><strong>2) TikTok Excellence &amp; Acceleration Playbooks (Lighthouse Project)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead the development of TikTok <strong>excellence standards</strong> across strategy, creative, influencer/creator, media, commerce, and measurement.</li> <li>Run a <strong>live flagship project</strong> on a major global brand and major market to prove impact and generate scalable learning.</li> <li>Define the TikTok operating model: briefing standards, creative iteration loops, testing roadmap, KPI framework, and measurement approach.</li> <li>Codify outputs into <strong>scalable playbooks</strong> and implementation support for other brands/markets.</li> </ul> <p><strong>3) Matrix Leadership &amp; Stakeholder Management (Japan HQ, Brand, eCommerce)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Drive alignment across Japan HQ, global brand teams, and eCommerce stakeholders—clarifying priorities, timelines, and outcomes.</li> <li>Influence without authority: align teams on shared goals, resolve conflicts constructively, and maintain momentum across competing agendas.</li> <li>Ensure CoE work integrates with brand strategy, commercial priorities, and eCommerce growth plans.</li> </ul> <p><strong>4) Strategic Agency Partner Leadership</strong></p> <ul> <li>Build strong working relationships with senior agency leadership, ensuring agency roadmaps support CoE priorities.</li> <li>Set clear expectations for performance, innovation delivery, and operational excellence across media, creative, measurement, and commerce.</li> <li>Drive agency collaboration models that enable speed, quality, and learning transfer across markets.</li> </ul> <p><strong>5) Team Leadership &amp; Delivery Excellence</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead, coach, and develop a team of up to 9 across multiple DX initiatives.</li> <li>Establish clear workstreams, milestones, decision forums, and reporting rhythms.</li> <li>Maintain high standards in stakeholder communication, executive-ready storytelling, and outcome-based delivery.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Success Measures (First 6–12 Months)</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Platform partnerships:</strong> Documented joint plans with Meta/Google/ByteDance; improved access to priority capabilities (betas, insights, support); measurable value delivered to brands/markets.</li> <li><strong>TikTok acceleration:</strong> Lighthouse project delivers clear performance uplift and learning; playbooks produced and adopted by multiple stakeholders.</li> <li><strong>Operational effectiveness:</strong> Strong governance, clear ways of working across time zones, predictable delivery cadence.</li> <li><strong>Stakeholder satisfaction:</strong> Demonstrated trust and alignment with Japan HQ, global brand teams, and eCommerce leaders.</li> <li><strong>Team performance:</strong> Clear role clarity, development progress, and consistent delivery across DX initiatives.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What you will need:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Critical Capabilities &amp; Leadership Attributes</strong></p> <ul> <li>Proven ability to operate in a <strong>global matrix</strong>, influencing senior stakeholders across functions and geographies.</li> <li>Deep understanding of <strong>digital media ecosystems</strong> and platform operating models (Meta/Google/ByteDance), including measurement and performance drivers.</li> <li><span data-teams="true">High level of PowerPoint and presentation skill required</span></li> <li>Strong expertise in <strong>TikTok growth levers</strong> (creative excellence, creator/influencer ecosystem, commerce integration, test-and-learn, measurement).</li> <li>Executive communication: ability to synthesize complexity into <strong>clear executive narratives</strong>, recommendations, and decisions.</li> <li>Strong partner leadership: credible, assertive, and collaborative with <strong>senior agency and platform counterparts</strong>.</li> <li>High learning agility, structured problem-solving, and bias for action in a newly created CoE environment.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Experience &amp; Qualifications (Guidance)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Senior experience in <strong>digital marketing, platform partnerships, performance marketing, or digital transformation</strong>, ideally in global consumer brands, agency leadership, or platform/tech ecosystems.</li> <li>Demonstrated success leading <strong>multi-stakeholder, cross-border programs</strong> with measurable business outcomes.</li> <li>People leadership experience with proven ability to scale capability and delivery through a team.</li> <li>Comfort operating across <strong>USA/UK/Tokyo time zones</strong> with disciplined stakeholder management and delivery rigor.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At Kao, we believe the diversity of our teams strengthens our global mission. Here we trust and respect each other, collaborating in a friendly and inclusive work environment to achieve great results.</p> <p><strong><u>What you can expect from us:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>An entrepreneurial environment where passionate and innovative teams come together.</li> <li>Respect, teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of how we work.</li> <li>A workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing</li> <li>A broad range of benefits, including flexible working, competitive salaries, health and wellbeing offers, retirement, insurance options, and more…</li> <li>Learning and development opportunities</li> </ul> <p>Your voice matters here — we value entrepreneurial thinking and innovation from our teams.</p> <p>To find out why 33,000 people across the Globe work at Kao please visit:<a href="https://www.kao.com/americas/en/careers/"> https://www.kao.com/americas/en/careers/</a></p> <p>Discover careers at Kao and how we live our purpose,&nbsp;<em>Kirei – Making Life Beautiful.</em><br><a href="https://kao.voyse.io/">https://kao.voyse.io/</a></p> <p>Kao is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.</p> <p>#LI-BP1</p> <p>#LI-HYBRID</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>