Influencer Manager

Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.

We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.

Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.

Role Description

As Influencer Manager at Koala, you will lead the brand’s influencer and creator strategy in Australia – building authentic relationships with talent and creators that grow Koala’s community, reach and revenue. You’ll lead how Koala identifies, builds relationships and activates creators across brand and performance marketing, developing long-term partnerships alongside a scalable pipeline of creator and UGC content. Working closely with the broader marketing team, you’ll ensure creator activity is integrated across campaigns, product launches and cultural moments – and that great creator content works harder across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Koala’s influencer, creator & UGC strategy defining how creators contribute to reach, brand relevance, consideration and commercial growth.

• Build and manage Koala’s creator ecosystem across long-term ambassadors, campaign talent, emerging creators and UGC creators, ensuring the right talent is matched to the right objective.

• Identify, vet and nurture high-value creator relationships, building a strong pipeline of talent who genuinely align with Koala’s brand, audience and creative ambition.

• Develop repeatable creator-led content formats and series that can live across our organic and paid channels, working closely with Social to integrate them into the broader content calendar.

• Develop Koala’s ambassador program, establishing deeper, longer-term creator relationships that build distinctive association with the brand.

• Own Koala’s UGC program, developing a scalable pipeline of creator-led content for organic, paid, performance channels, including sourcing, briefing, content rights/usage and performance feedback loops.

• Lead creator strategy across major brand campaigns, product launches, seasonal moments and activations, working cross-functionally to ensure creators are built into plans from the outset rather than at the end.

• Partner with Head of Brand, AU to develop creator strategies and guest lists around events, partnerships and cultural activations maximising reach before, during and after each moment.

• Partner with Social & Growth to identify high-performing creator content that can be amplified, whitelisted, repurposed or adapted across paid and owned channels.

• Own creator briefs and creative standards, ensuring content feels native to the creator whilst remaining distinctive and unmistakably Koala.

• Manage the influencer and creator budget, balancing investment across reach, brand-building, content creation and performance objectives.

• Establish clear reporting frameworks on reach, engagement and content performance delivering visibility to the business on how we are measuring success.

• Build and maintain the marketing calendar ensuring a consistent pipeline of relevant, on-brand content across platforms.

• Manage and develop the Influencer Coordinator establishing clear processes across outreach, gifting, contracting, onboarding, briefing, content approvals and reporting.

• Stay close to emerging creators, platforms, formats and cultural behaviours identifying any new and relevant opportunities for our brand to show up in unexpected and relevant ways.

Ideal background

• 5+ years experience working in influencer, creator or social media marketing, with experience developing and scaling creator programs. Experience with a fast-paced consumer, lifestyle or eCommerce brand is highly desirable

• Strong experience with AU influencer landscape and strong creative judgement

• Excellent project management and organisational capabilities

• Proven experience managing budget and measuring commercial impact

• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members

• Strong communication, negotiation & relationship-building skills

• Proficiency in social media platforms and influencer marketing tools

• Data-driven decision maker with ability to analyse campaign performance and use this to inform future campaigns

• Knowledge of industry regulations and standards

• Highly organised and detail-oriented

Perks and Privileges

Koala is only great when its employees are happy; and we’re one happy bunch!

• Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)

• Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.

  Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.

• Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!

• Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.

• Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.

• Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.

• Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Community is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Why Join Koala?

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We have no ego; we seek feedback that grows us; and we have a strong bias for action. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.