Director – Media Strategy and Innovation

Job Description

We are looking for an exceptionally talented Director, Strategy to lead Media Strategy & Innovation functions for a high-profile and fast-paced account. This person will lead strategic development (including audience strategy), partner innovation/ideations, and stewardship of integrated media plans for the client’s business. The Director effectively leverages experience, curiosity, knowledge, storytelling and skills to push fresh thinking and innovation while balancing client, agency, and team needs – both short- and long-term. This position report directly to the VP, Strategic Intelligence. 

Role Objectives:

• Serves on a client’s business and oversees all strategic aspects of the assigned LOB(s)
• Defines the strategic narrative of integrated media plans – including audience strategy and media partner innovation
• Identifies key target insights based on client brief necessary for formulating strategic recommendations, and ensures alignment into broader long-term goals
• This role is designed to elevate strategy and innovation across the business – must be highly-collaborative, big idea-minded and relentlessly curious
• Responsible for leading/managing projects and resources for subsidiaries/business unit
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the client business, competitive and audience landscape
• Team leader for client interaction while fostering positive relationships
• Ensure teams adopt best in class tools, techniques, and innovations to deliver plan recommendations aligned to client’s objectives and expected business outcomes
• Demonstrate an intimate, and strategic, understanding of how consumers interact with channels and technology, while championing across internal agency teams
• Outlines role & responsibilities for the Strategic Intelligence team – delivering on vision, direction, management, and support
• Strategic lead in media strategy and innovation thought leadership within the team and with clients
• Ensure connectivity with all relevant internal and external stakeholders
• Serves as primary leadership and content development stakeholder and storyteller for all client presentations
• Participation in special projects involving cross department team development and leadership
• Participates in new business efforts including development of new business opportunities and new business pitches (as needed)

Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S., preferably in Marketing, Advertising, or related field
• 8+ years of media planning experience
• 3+ years of experience in a management capacity
• Agency experience highly preferred
• Experience in retail is a big plus
• Proven experience and success in presenting plans to senior clients and influencing top level client decisions related to media strategy and implementation
• Excellent leadership, management and motivational skills
• Excellent storytelling, interpersonal and quantitative/analytical skills
• Adept at uncovering and injecting ideas, innovation and leading industry developments into media plans
• Detail-oriented and proven ability to thrive in a fast paced environment
• Must be a self-starter, with strong planning and organizational skills
• Computer Skills/Software Knowledge: Microsoft Suite, Nielsen Suite, Kantar, IMS, Flowchart Software, R/F and Optimization Software, Social Tracking tools, comScore, Prisma, Mbox, MRI/GfK, GWI.  Understand its capabilities and applications to translate data into actionable insights
• Thinks clearly and diplomatically when participating in a discussion to field complex or sensitive questions from clients/internal groups
• Professional presentation, training and client-facing skills
• Excellent written/verbal communication, presentation, organizational, interpersonal and analytical skills
• Accountability and flexibility with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates ability to define and implement professional standards for team participation, conflict resolution, problem solving, and communication
• Able to guide others in defining high level strategy for business unit
• Able to manage a budget, control costs, plan and schedule around cost concerns for business unit
• Demonstrates an ability to be curious and passionate about our client’s business
• Positive, team-player attitude