Urban Outfitters Brand Programs Manager

Urban Outfitters is looking for a Brand Programs Manager. This position will play a critical role in shaping the future of Urban Outfitters by managing and strengthening our partnerships with leading external apparel brands. This role involves creating and maintaining a comprehensive playbook, building cross-functional plans, and ensuring effective communication and execution of brand activities. This role ensures that our collaborations with these influential partners are strategically aligned, flawlessly executed, and support our long-range plan.  

Partnership Development Co-create and execute the brand partnership strategy in collaboration with merchandising and marketing leadership. These partnerships are vital to delivering the curated, trend-forward assortment that resonates with Gen Z and drives Urban Outfitters’ long-range growth. 

Relationship Management   Oversee all high-impact brand engagements, ensuring they are well-organized, strategically aligned, and communicated clearly. Drive the annual strategic planning process with brand partners. Lead the planning and execution of strategic meetings with key external apparel brands. Develop agendas, presentations, and materials that foster collaboration, innovation, and alignment on shared goals. 

Cross-Functional Coordination Serve as the primary liaison between brand partners and Urban Outfitters’ shared services teams (e.g., planning, logistics, finance), ensuring a consistent and scalable approach to partnership success. Work closely with cross-functional teams to embed brand initiatives into broader business strategies, ensuring that every brand touchpoint supports our cultural and commercial goals. 

Performance Monitoring & Reporting Deliver consistent performance updates and insights that help both internal teams and brand partners stay aligned and agile in a fast-moving market. Track progress against strategic plans and brand initiatives. Provide regular updates to senior leadership and serve as the central point of contact for all brand-related forecasts and communications. 

Experience: 5+ years of experience in merchandising and/or project management. Deep understanding of the retail and apparel industry, with a focus on the cultural and commercial impact of brand partnerships. 

Strategic Thinking: Developing long-term plans and strategies to optimize inventory and support business goals. 

Analytical Thinking: Uses data to interpret brand performance data, translates insights into action and identifies trends. 

Detail Orientation: Maintains accuracy and consistency across communications, plans, and reporting. 

Ensures all brand interactions are executed with precision and professionalism to build trust and long term relationships. Ensuring accuracy in inventory levels, sales forecasts, and promotional plans. 

Project Management: Leads complex, cross-functional, highly visible initiatives from planning through execution. Manages timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder alignment with discipline and clarity. 

Partnership Development:  Builds strong, trust-based relationships with external brand partners and internal teams.  Facilitates collaboration that drives mutual value and long-term success. Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders. 

Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to changing market conditions and business needs. 

Problem-Solving Skills: Identifying issues in the supply chain and developing strategies to address them.  

Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently to meet deadlines. 

Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with planning software and tools like O9 Planning, Excel, and other inventory management systems. 

Financial Acumen: Understanding financial metrics such as gross margin, inventory turnover, and open-to-buy management. 

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URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.