Associate Director

Business Overview 

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.

Position Summary

IPG Mediabrands is seeking an Associate Director, Privacy to support the SVP of Privacy in driving the global privacy strategy and execution across Mediabrands, ensuring compliance and strengthening client relationships, with additional support for Kinesso & Acxiom. As a global privacy expert reporting to the SVP, this role contributes to policy development, educates stakeholders, and provides commercial guidance. This person will assist in managing vendor risk and data processing while participating in industry engagement to promote best practices and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Support: Provide expert privacy and data protection guidance to clients, develop thought leadership, participate in meetings, and support contract language reviews as needed.
• Program Support & Governance: Assist in building, scaling, and operationalizing the global privacy program, support privacy risk assessments, map data flows, and help drive adoption of data ethics standards, training, communications, and continuous program improvement, ensuring alignment with business priorities.
• Vendor Management & Compliance Support: Support and oversee the vendor diligence process, assess partner privacy positions, monitor adherence to privacy standards, and assist with vendor contracts and Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), advising on third-party risk mitigation as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance Support: Help assess the impact of new privacy regulations, support organizational readiness and compliance efforts, assist with centralized compliance operations (including Consumer Rights Requests), and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and PII handling standards, providing guidance on complex regulatory matters.
• Industry Collaboration: Participate in industry groups to represent IPG Mediabrands, stay ahead of emerging trends, and share insights with internal teams.
• Commercial Support: Partner with Product, IT, and Legal teams to embed privacy-by-design, contribute to cross-functional privacy initiatives, and support new business pitches with subject-matter expertise.
• Measurement & Reporting: Assist in the collection and analysis of program metrics to track maturity, performance, and adoption of privacy practices.

Skills/Experience

• Industry Experience: 6+ years of experience in the Adtech or Digital Media ecosystem, with a deep understanding of data flows, media operations, and platform dynamics.
• Privacy & Legal Expertise: 1–3 years of hands-on experience with global privacy regulations, particularly the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and other evolving US and international frameworks. Ability to interpret and apply legal requirements to media and technology use cases.
• Certifications: Industry-recognized privacy certifications such as CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, or equivalent are preferred, demonstrating a commitment to privacy leadership and ongoing education.
• Technical & Data Knowledge: Solid understanding of data systems, information security concepts, and digital tracking technologies (e.g., cookies, pixels, SDKs). Familiarity with privacy-enhancing technologies and compliance tools is a plus.
• Contract & Vendor Experience: Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating data protection terms in client and vendor contracts, including Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), with an ability to assess third-party risk and compliance posture.
• Strategic & Operational Skills: Proven ability to develop, implement, and scale operational processes and compliance programs across global teams. Experience establishing incident response plans, training programs, and governance frameworks.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong influencing skills with a track record of collaborating across legal, product, IT, partnerships, and client-facing teams. Comfortable presenting to senior leadership and clients.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex privacy concepts into clear guidance and actionable strategy.
• Organizational Agility: Skilled at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. Highly self-directed, proactive, and adaptable to shifting business needs.

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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.