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Christine, Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods: Advize Career Interview
A career in brand partnerships offers a dynamic blend of creativity and data analysis, as evidenced by Christine's journey.
Starting with numerous internships in fashion and photography, a strategic progression through roles at Forever 21, Goop, and Verashop built a strong foundation in retail, e-commerce, and brand building, culminating in the Director of Brand Partnerships position at Neighborhood Goods.
This role demands collaboration, negotiation, and data-driven decision-making to curate product assortments and foster mutually beneficial brand relationships.
The work requires problem-solving, flexibility, and a strong work ethic, but the rewards—impactful partnerships, exposure to innovative brands, and the ability to influence business trajectories—are significant.
Early career success hinges on securing entry-level roles, building a strong network, and developing time management skills.
Christine's individualized undergraduate major perfectly complemented their career aspirations, and the industry's supportive environment has fueled a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christine Waters
Director of Brand Partnerships
Neighborhood Goods
New York University, 2012
N/A
Entrepreneurship
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Director Of Brand Partnerships At Neighborhood Goods
Christine's career trajectory showcases a strategic blend of internships and full-time roles, starting with "seven or eight internships" during college, primarily in fashion and photography, which transitioned into a product development and buying career at Forever 21. This experience, coupled with roles at Goop and Verashop, building home departments and launching businesses "from scratch," culminated in their current position as Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods, leveraging expertise in retail, e-commerce, and brand building.
Main Responsibilities of a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods
As Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods, Christine's main responsibilities include "sourc[ing] these brands," curating "what values they add," and negotiating mutually beneficial agreements for product placement across their physical and online stores. This involves relationship building, serving as a category expert, and designing models that ensure brand success within the Neighborhood Goods ecosystem.
A Day in the Life of a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods
A Director of Brand Partnerships and Business Development at Neighborhood Goods spends the workday in a highly collaborative and analytical manner, juggling "a lot of calls" with brand representatives and internal teams across marketing, e-commerce, retail, and finance. This role involves "constant contact" to analyze sales, customer trends, plan events, and curate product assortments, requiring a blend of relationship management and data-driven decision-making.
Top Skills for a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, highlights the differing skill sets needed for buying roles in startups versus traditional retail. In startups, "problem-solving and flexibility" are key, along with a "sense of urgency," while more established retail demands a balance of "creative and analytical mind," integrating visual curation with data analysis of sales and inventory.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods
Christine, Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods, thrives on the "left brain, right brain" balance inherent in the role, enjoying both the creative aspects of curating brand stories and the analytical work of data analysis. The ability to significantly impact smaller brands' success, potentially "directly impact[ing] and influen[cing] the trajectory of their business," is particularly rewarding for Christine.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Of Brand Partnerships At Neighborhood Goods
Christine's biggest challenge as Director of Brand Partnerships is balancing the need for a "human touch" and personalized relationships with brands to create unique customer experiences with the demands of scaling a business efficiently. This requires finding the right balance between thoughtful relationship-building and implementing processes to work "smarter, not harder," a key aspect of their role within the retail industry.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Retail Industry as a Director of Brand Partnerships
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, thrives in the buying and brand world due to the constant introduction to "incredible brands and products" and passionate founders with "amazing stories." This fuels Christine's excitement, allowing support for these brands in reaching wider audiences.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Retail Industry According to a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, highlights that success in the industry requires a blend of "analytical" and "creative" skills, along with strong problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness. Individuals who thrive take "a lot of ownership and accountability," particularly when managing a business unit, viewing both successes and failures as their own responsibility.
What A Director Of Brand Partnerships At Neighborhood Goods Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Retail Industry
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, wishes someone had emphasized the extensive on-the-job learning and diverse skill acquisition in the industry. The experience working with numerous brands and facets of the industry unexpectedly developed a "wide variety of skills," enabling application to various roles and industries beyond buying and merchandising.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Buyers and Merchandisers
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, advises undergraduates interested in a similar field to seek "entry-level roles" such as product development assistant, buyer's admin assistant, or merchandising assistant positions, noting these offer valuable on-the-job learning and build crucial relationships with brands. These roles, while demanding, provide a strong foundation for a career in buying, allowing one to learn "a variety of functions" and develop skills in areas like product development and brand relationships.
Significant Career Lesson From A Brand Partnerships Director At Neighborhood Goods
Christine, Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods, emphasizes the paramount importance of relationships throughout one's career, stating that "harnessing connections," whether through alumni networks or personal contacts, has been instrumental to her success. This approach, "putting time and care into maintaining those relationships," has yielded countless benefits, from securing initial roles to forging ongoing partnerships that continue to advance Christine's career trajectory.
College Experiences Helping a Director of Brand Partnerships at Neighborhood Goods Succeed
Christine's early success stemmed from securing "endless internship and part-time job opportunities" in New York City, building a strong work ethic and network while developing time management skills. Their individualized "New Media entrepreneurship" major at Gallatin, combining digital arts, communications, and business, provided a unique foundation perfectly aligned with their career aspirations in brand partnerships.
How Identity Has Influenced a Brand Partnerships Director at Neighborhood Goods's Career
Christine's career in the buying and creative industry has been "incredibly supportive," offering ample opportunities, unlike some other sectors. The industry's forward-thinking nature and focus on supporting female founders and underrepresented groups has allowed for "satisfaction and fulfillment" in their career journey.
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