Manager – Communications Design

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

The Manager, Communications Design is responsible for leading a team of Negotiators/Communications Designers and GCC Associates to develop, execute, and oversee integrated media and communications plans across traditional, digital, and non-traditional channels. This role combines strategic media planning, partnership development, and communications design to maximize impact across owned, earned, and paid media.

The Manager ensures all deliverables meet client expectations, are executed with precision, and are grounded in accurate, data-rich insights. They guide the team in creating media flowcharts, developing communication ideas, and identifying innovative partnership opportunities outside standard media environments. The role also focuses on fostering team growth, mentoring junior talent, and promoting knowledge sharing across internal teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team, overseeing day-to-day activities, workload management, and professional development.
• Develop integrated marketing communication strategies leveraging traditional, digital, and non-traditional media to achieve client objectives.
• Create accurate, substantiated, and detailed media plans and media planning scenarios grounded in consumer, cultural, competitive, and market intelligence.
• Lead preparation of communications/media plan flowcharts using MediaTools and MediaOcean, ensuring plans align with reach, frequency, and business goals.
• Identify, negotiate, and execute partnership opportunities with media partners, exploring innovative ways to amplify communications across owned and earned platforms.
• Serve as primary liaison with clients for marketplace intelligence, partnership opportunities, and campaign performance, ensuring alignment with client KPIs.
• Lead strategic media planning, KPI development, campaign execution, reporting, and analytics to inform optimization.
• Manage budgets, campaign billing, and resource allocation; secure best marketplace pricing and optimize investment strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to maintain consistent communication design standards, support ideation sessions, and ensure integrated campaign success.
• Organize and develop client-facing category, cultural, and competitive tracking documents.
• Contribute to RFP development and briefing internal teams and external partners.
• Oversee campaign deliverables, call reports, and client updates to ensure timely, accurate follow-through.
• Manage relationships with Analytics and Ad Ops teams for tagging, reporting, and optimization.

Required Skills & Experience

• 4+ years of experience in digital media planning, communications design, integrated media, or a related discipline.
• Experience across multiple media channels, including traditional, digital, and non-traditional platforms.
• Strong understanding of media tools, syndicated research, and campaign management/ad-serving technology (e.g., DoubleClick DART, Atlas DMT, MediaMind).
• Ability to delegate, develop, and oversee a team effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to create integrated marketing communication plans informed by data, audience insights, and competitive intelligence.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly to clients, internal teams, and media partners.
• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging data to inform media planning, partnerships, and campaign optimization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and media planning platforms (MediaTools, MediaOcean, etc.).

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience with third-party Internet marketing research (e.g., comScore Media Metrix, Nielsen, IQVIA, Crossix).
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to secure partnerships and optimize investment strategies.
• Strong time-management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to think creatively to identify innovative media and partnership opportunities.
• Category or audience expertise relevant to HCP assignments.

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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.