VP – Strategy

Business Overview 

If you are looking for a people-first organization that can offer you the career you crave, UM is your home. We are the destination of choice for the world’s best talent, where every individual is empowered to unleash their limitless potential and do the best work of their careers.  

We are always searching for passionate team members who love media and live and breathe our core values of Curiosity,Courage, and Community. We seek out those who aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions, are excited to explore the nuances, and are hungry for personal growth and continuous learning. People who thrive at UM are collaborators by nature who pursue diverse perspectives because they understand that true innovation is driven by inclusivity. As a people-first agency, we provide the information, tools and technology, career development, and empowerment our people need to realize their potential and achieve their career ambitions.   

A global media network within the IPG Mediabrands family, UM operates in over 100 countries, with 3,000+ people innovating on a roster of powerful brands and our client campaigns have been recognized by the industry’s most competitive global showcases like Cannes Lions, Festival of Media Global, and WARC.

As a result of our people-first commitment, UM has been celebrated as a FORTUNE Best Workplace in Advertising & Marketing in the US, a Campaign Best Place to Work in EMEA, a Campaign Asia Diverse & Inclusive Workplace in APAC, a top 3 agency in LATAM by The Effies, and ranked the number one agency in both Canada and MENAT by RECMA. 

Position Overview

The strategy team at UM is responsible for unearthing consumer insights and behaviors to define and optimize the target audience and drive business goals for our clients. Both strategic planning and analytics are key dimensions to our work. We identify unique connection opportunities based on audience emotions and behaviors through the use of proprietary research and data and translate them into actionable insights for media, content and social marketing. 

In general, to succeed in Strategy, candidates must demonstrate a strong work ethic, exceptional analytical skills, and a knack for converting insights into creative, actionable recommendations for our clients. We are fiercely committed to delivering high-quality analysis, in a structured, thoughtful presentation, with strict attention to deadlines and deliverables. An ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in both written and oral form and build trusted internal and external relationships are also key. Backgrounds in agency and consulting organizations are desired, as skills in analyzing and presenting information are honed. 

This position is suited to a strategist with 10 years’ experience working in a similar agency environment or in a management-consulting firm. The Partner will be responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of projects/assignment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross-functional agency team to drive strategic thinking 

• Utilize a variety of attitudinal and behavioral data sources available to us (e.g., DMP, Acxiom) to identify high value audience 

• Telling data-driven stories and using data + performance metrics to build strategies + client solutions 

• Formulate target audience recommendations and communication strategies that help prioritize our media investment and partnerships

• Design and conduct primary quantitative and qualitative research, generating audience insights to inform strategic recommendations and tactical execution

• Mapping and creating custom journeys and building strategies + solutions across customer journeys 

• Facilitate audience workshops and provide inputs into media and tactical planning

• Manage analysts on project work and support their career development

• Develop relationships with clients as a strategic thought partner

• Manage internal relationships with other departments, identifying opportunities for efficiencies in working relationships and cross-departmental processes and hand-offs (e.g. Client Lead, Research, Media Planning, Digital, Programmatic)

Required Skills and Experience 

• Client relationship development and management

• Strong analytical/logical thinking

• Ability to synthesize data/research into concise action-oriented strategies 

• Great presentation and communication skills

• Quantitative and qualitative research skills to inform 4C insights (Culture, Category, Company and Consumer)

• Deep understanding not only of how to build audiences but also a more broad understanding of different audience solutions – from building custom solutions to the different types of off the shelf solutions available

• Deep understanding of data solutions (1st, 2nd and 3rd party) – how to access, use and activate

• Understanding of the Digital marketing technologies, including adtech and martech solutions

• Familiarity with different media and digital channels (e.g., TV, web, mobile, CRM, social media, search)
• Familiarity with multi-channel measurement and attribution solutions

Desired Skills and Experience

• Background in strategy and/or consulting in digital or database marketing

• Demonstrated project management experience; either managing small project or small team within larger project or experience in managing deliverables/ project timeline

• Experience working with large, complex data, including audience data from DMP, Acxiom, etc. 

• Experience working with global teams at large Fortune 2000 companies

• Collaborating within an agency and with extended marketing council of agencies

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We See You 

At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community. 

We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.  

We See You at IPG Mediabrands.

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.

We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.  

Employment Transparency

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email [email protected].

About IPG Mediabrands

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.