Influencer Relations Specialist

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. If you're looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role

We are seeking a creative and relationship-driven Influencer Relations Specialist with a passion for digital storytelling to drive Kobo's brand presence and ethos. This key role reports to the Senior Manager, social media, and will be responsible for developing and executing a robust influencer strategy that deeply resonates with the bookish communities online. The Specialist will own the end-to-end influencer program lifecycle, from sourcing and contracting to coordinating with content creators and agencies. This is an exciting opportunity to cultivate authentic partnerships, provide data-driven recommendations, and significantly contribute to Kobo's brand growth and influence among avid readers.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Assist in developing a comprehensive influencer strategy especially focused on the North American market that aligns directly with the overarching social media and brand marketing goals.

• Conduct ongoing industry research to identify emerging trends, platforms, and high-potential creators relevant to Kobo's brand audience.

• Establish clear KPIs and metrics for all influencer programs to ensure alignment with business objectives.

Program Management & Execution

• Manage the end-to-end influencer program lifecycle, including sourcing, outreach, negotiation, and contracting for paid and gifted partnerships.

• Oversee the coordination of external agencies and vendor partners, ensuring they meet strategic goals and delivery timelines.

• Lead the execution of influencer campaigns, including content collaborations, product seeding, and promotional events.

• Manage campaign budgets effectively, ensuring maximum ROI across all influencer initiatives.

• Lead the boosting and paid amplification of influencer content to extend reach and drive conversions.

Creator & Internal Liaison

• Cultivate and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with a diverse roster of content creators and influencers.

• Manage a dedicated pool of content creators for organic social media content production, ensuring a consistent flow of high-quality, on-brand assets.

• Serve as the primary liaison with the Communications team to coordinate strategies and outreach for earned influencers and long-term brand ambassadors.

• Ensure all content produced adheres to brand guidelines, legal requirements and disclosure standards.

Reporting & Optimization

• Track, measure, and analyze performance across all influencer campaigns using relevant social media and marketing analytics tools.

• Generate comprehensive campaign reports and present key findings, insights, and recommendations for future strategy optimization.

Key Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in influencer marketing, social media management, or public relations, specifically focused on content creator relationships preferably for consumer-facing D2C brand (e.g., tech, lifestyle).

• Demonstrated experience managing and executing influencer programs within the North American market.

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, English, or an allied field (e.g., social media, digital media).

• Experience working within or a strong understanding of the bookish community (Booktok, Bookstagram) is a strong plus.

Communication Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts in a clear and engaging way.

• Confidence in public speaking and presenting to various audiences, including internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Excellent English skills (verbal and written)

Mindset And Attributes

• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with a proactive and positive approach to identifying and solving challenges.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

• A natural collaborator who thrives on teamwork and cross-functional communication.

• Open to feedback and eager to contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and materials.

• Creative, curious, and critical thinker. Constantly searching for new approaches.

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world's most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.