Business Overview:

Rufus is an Amazon-dedicated entity, powered by Initiative, and bolstered by critical discipline expertise from the entire Mediabrands and IPG networks. Our vision is to be a trusted, indispensable partner of Amazon. We are a collective who share an obsession with the convergence of media, creativity and data, through a branded cultural lens. We are one connected team. Many voices & many countries, with one shared culture based on pride, enrichment, balance, and growth for our people. Our mission is to become Amazon’s most client-first, customer-obsessed partner by consistently delivering strategic thought leadership, scalable, creative ideas that break boundaries and drive Amazon’s business forward, streamlined operations, and unparalleled media value.

Beyond Rufus, 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 & Flow for brands like Amazon, Nike, Merck, LEGO, and T-Mobile. 

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 6,000+ 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.

Position Overview

As Integrated Associate Director, you are the orchestrator of the overall Communications plan and all its detail across partners and channels. Working with the Integrated Group Director, Communications Design, you oversee the translation of client goals into a strategy, partner selection, plan and execution. With strong expertise gained from 4+ years’ experience in a planning role (media, content, digital, partner management), you have a strong understanding of how data and art intersect in today’s dynamic media landscape. As a critical thinker and problem solver, you excel at taking client goals and determining the right partners and tactics to make them a reality. You are digitally savvy and a continuous learner, able to use new technologies, platforms, and approaches to best move the program forward. The Integrated Associate Director, is a critical thinker and problem solver helping to manage the delivery of next generation plans and strategic approaches, working directly with partners, and managing the end-to-end process. You are negotiating the best deals for the client and are the main advocate to secure the strongest value and service from all partners. You break down silos, working with the Craft Teams and partners to collaboratively design the optimal tactics for the idea, manage process, accountability, and ownership of deliverables and drive the team to explore and identify non-traditional partnerships, opportunities, and innovations. Your instinct is a bias for action and proactively working with your team to develop the most effective, dynamic ecosystem and partner budget allocation recommendation to power campaigns and achieve client goals.

Responsibilities

External

• Responsible for the development of the detailed communications plan. Working with the Group Director and Director, to present the Connections Design holistic approach to relevant stakeholders
• Manage the outputs of day-to-day requirements and workflow of the client
• Direct communication with clients for all marketplace intelligence, negotiation and digital partnership needs and take ultimate accountability for team’s day-to-day responsibilities. For non-digital direct channels, interface and collaborate with craft experts.
• Partner with other internal teams to drive integrated solutions for clients
• Manage cross-craft and partnership deliverables and expectations with clients to deliver against client KPIs
• Establish and maintain mid-level partner relationships on behalf of agency and client
• Oversee partnership plan development, recommendation and implementation, incorporating necessary and appropriate rationale and research for client buy-in
• Lead strategic audience analysis and insights and syndication recommendations to best meet the clients goals.

Internal

• Responsible for the best practice application of planning approach including key tools and techniques to surface media and marketing intelligence and insights to produce an impactful, culturally rich communications plan across owned, earned, shared, paid (OESP)
• Partner with other internal teams to drive integrated solutions for clients
• Write and manage outputs from RFP submissions, in collaboration with craft leads
• Responsible for ensuring craft teams have clear strategy, budget and objectives at all times
• Responsible for the management and training of junior team members in planning fundamentals
• Regularly provide performance assessments to the team and help them to work toward their professional goals
• Promote an open working environment where opinions, views and ideas can be shared and curiosity is valued.
• Provide partner selection recommendation and justification designed to deliver on client KPI’s using the most sophisticated use of data and analytics, via multi-faceted, strategic partnerships, while delivering maximum strategic value and efficiency.

Commercial

• Contributor to client Key Performance Indicator (KPI) delivery
• Contributor to Specialty Business Units (SBU) growth and client profitability
• Provide Partnerships support for various New Business pitches
• Support and collaborate with all MB SBU’s for maximum effectiveness and seamless integration onto client business
• Support MAGNA aggregate negotiations across all Digital media channels

New Business

• Contributor to new business as required

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and vendors
• Proven problem-solving ability
• Ability to work successfully within a team, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to develop integrated marketing communication plans encompassing traditional and non-traditional media strategies
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion; project management experience
• Proven knowledge of online planning and research tools and resources
• Ability to delegate and oversee direct reports
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
• Required PC proficiency and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with campaign management/ad serving technology: Double Click DART, Atlas DMT
• Preferred working knowledge of third-party Internet marketing research: comScore Media Metrix, Nielsen NetView, @Plan, eMarketer and others
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent work experience
• Category or audience experience as relevant per assignment
• 3+ years of experience in managing or developing staff
• 6+ years in integrated planning role in media, publisher / vendor, or communications discipline (digital, content)

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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.