Associate Director

Description:

Starcom, a global communications planning and media leader, is seeking an Associate Director, Connections Strategy, to generate strategic insights through research, data, and analytics, shaping cross-channel media strategies that address client business objectives. This role focuses on audience approach, strategic frameworks, and channel roles across Paid, Owned, and Earned media. The ideal candidate demonstrates curiosity, strong storytelling, presentation skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams in a dynamic, analytics-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop innovative, well-targeted marketing solutions in collaboration with internal directors and clients.

• Build strategic frameworks and communication plans for targeted audiences.

• Analyze client data, brand health, and consumer behavior reports to extract actionable insights.

• Lead the development of strategic proposals and client-facing points of view (POVs).

• Own campaign strategic approaches for assigned client campaigns.

• Educate internal and external clients on the value of consumer insight research.

• Promote a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

• Support strategic planning initiatives, including deck writing, budget allocation, and audience development.

• Act as an escalation point for troubleshooting and campaign support.

• Deliver channel ideas informed by historical performance and in-market opportunities.

• Mentor and provide leadership opportunities within the team (no direct reports required).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in marketing, advertising, communications, business, sociology, or consumer insights.

• 5+ years of media strategy/planning experience across multiple media channels.

• Previous team management experience.

• Strong digital media expertise preferred.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and personnel across teams.

• Excellent presentation, organizational, and communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and PowerPoint).

• Experience with media systems/platforms such as Kantar, MOAT, Prisma, ComScore.

Benefits:

• Paid family care for parents and caregivers (12+ weeks)

• Adoption, surrogacy, fertility, and pet adoption support

• Employee assistance programs, wellness reimbursements

• Tuition assistance

• Flexible paid time off including vacation, sick, volunteer, holiday, and identity days

• Matching gifts programs

• Flexible work arrangements with “Work Your World” program (work from any Publicis Groupe office for up to 6 weeks/year)

• Business Resource Groups supporting diverse affinities and alliances