Director, Planning

Overview

The Director, Strategy manages the strategy and digital planning process for assigned clients. The Director is a leader who contributes to brand strategy, builds solid relationships with clients across all levels and functions, and is able to manage, lead, and develop their internal strategy team while also playing an active “hands-on” role in the deployment of strategic plans. They should also be fiscally accountable to Spark Foundry ensuring proper budget management and identifying upside revenue potential for the agency.

Responsibilities

Strong leadership presence and client management skills
Leads thinking to inspire innovative solutions, creativity and a proactive approach
Digital mindset/fluency and an insatiable curiosity
Flexibility and agility to manage complex processes
Embodies Spark Foundry’s values and cultivates them among team members
Ensure the team delivers sound strategic plan recommendations based on clear understanding of client objectives
Maintain an in-depth knowledge of client businesses with a focus on upstream initiatives
Expert command of Media Research resources, capabilities and limitations
Exemplify collaboration by building and maintaining productive relationships across all communications areas (internal teams and agency partners)
Ability to think beyond “media” as an active collaborator in the Integrated Marketing Communications process
Thorough knowledge of marketing and communications
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; solid presentation skills
Authoritative, leadership presence
Ability to prioritize and organize issues/projects for self and staff
Moderate travel

Qualifications

8+ years of Digital Media Planning, Buying, and Management experience in progressive levels of responsibility
Demonstrated business acumen and a track record of success in the media services profession
Strategic thinker, seeing the bigger picture, with ability to analyze everything and think critically when solving problems to come up with unconventional solutions
Ability to establish and manage P&L statement
Previous leadership and team management
Ability to build great relationships with clients, vendors, and reps
History of negotiating to get the job done right and track record of success in Media