Position Summary

The role of Group Account Director (GAD), Strategy is responsible for delivering strategic, integrated media communication recommendations as well as leading and inspiring a team of planning professionals. You must think strategically and work collaboratively to create recommendations that deliver on client strategic goals and business objectives. 

This role requires you to work as part of an integrated media planning team to ensure the product is grounded in insights and experience, resulting in flawless media executions.  You will play an active role in the management and operations of the groups business responsibility, as well as help manage the group profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead 360 degree strategic thinking for overall media product, encouraging executions that deliver exceptional results.
• Ownership and responsibility for ensuring key client objectives met; active participation in client business planning meetings.
• Cultivate and strengthen client, agency, and media partner relationships at the senior level.
• Foster an ongoing understanding of client business, operations & marketing strategies and how these relate to media & communication strategies.
• Lead and develop a direct relationship with the client to become a strategic partner with an in-depth understanding of their business.
• Deliver inspiring, motivating, and persuasive presentations which bring creative ideas to life.
• Pursue organic growth opportunities and participate as required in new business presentations.
• Uncover insights, opportunities, and learnings to support audience planning and optimization of media plans.
• Actively involved in delivering insights from research into business opportunity areas.
• Maintain industry relationships, participate on committees and organizations; keep abreast of issues and developments and new media opportunities.
• Proactively seek opportunities to improve processes, methods, systems and/or services to better serve the client and agency.
• Lead and mentor a team of media professionals. Effectively communicate agency goals, manage workloads, provide ongoing performance feedback, support professional development goals, and inspire great results.
• Manage the group profitability and manage accurate billings and projections.
• Act as a thought leader – proactively bring forward client education and identify opportunities as appropriate.
• Drive collaboration and communication across Specialist Business Units (SBUs) and peer groups to inspire great work.
• Lead by example and play an active role in cultivating the culture of our organization.
• Ensure delivery against mandate outlined in scope of work.
• Ensure that all media plans meet client objectives with fully supported documentation, and that they adhere to the agency’s values and philosophies.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Professional or educational background in Marketing and/or Advertising would give leverage to this application.
• Executive level of related media, advertising, brand or marketing strategy/planning experience.
• History of developing positive on-going business relationships, focus on client service.
• Previous experience managing a portfolio of clients or total ownership of one large complex account with multiple lines of business.
• Proven experience delivering inspiring and persuasive presentations.
• Solutions oriented and approaches obstacles with creativity and resolve.
• Ability to manage complexity across multiple groups, clients and interagency partners.
• Active involvement in developing capabilities of direct report(s) and prioritizing and delegating work accordingly.
• Ability to develop and foster strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively apply knowledge and insights gained from research and reporting resources to media planning.
• Digital planning/buying experience an asset
• Curiosity, learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Independent thinker with highly developed organizational skills and a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced understanding of media research tools (e.g. Clear Decisions, Vividata, Neilson) and media software (e.g. Prisma).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 9,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry’s most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC’s Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit initiative.com.

What’s in it for you?
•    Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
•    A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
•    A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
•    A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
•    The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to [email protected]