Associate Director, Strategy

Company Description

Zenith is one of Publicis Groupe’s largest media agencies, spanning 95 markets globally with US offices in New York, Burbank, Chicago, Atlanta and Detroit. For more than 30 years, we have been at the forefront of media, helping to evolve and reshape the industry. We are highly regarded as a true agency partner by many high-profile brands for our expertise across numerous categories and wide range of capabilities that are unparalleled in the industry. Clients hire us for our track record of excellence in strategic planning, investment, and measurement. We also have specialist offerings, including content, commerce, multicultural and future-proofed data capabilities.

Overview

Generate strategic media initiatives and lead the implementation of the media plans for a major client.

Responsibilities

• Oversee media strategy and plan development and budget
• Evaluating, identifying and sizing media target based on client brief
• Responsible for developing and executing strategy for the functional area
• Evaluating composition of a wide range of media vehicles to determine which would most effectively reach the target audience
• Presenting recommendations to account service and clients
• Maintaining strong relationship with key clients
• Following detailed instructions and using established procedures, completes work in a detailed and complete manner
• Performs under immediate supervision, using established procedures to accomplish assigned tasks
• Assists in more advanced functions as part of training and development
• Refers questions and problems to higher levels
• Resource for others in resolution of complex problems/issues
• Minimal supervision, relies on advanced experience/judgment
• May perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time
• Responsible for managing projects and resources for areas of specialization, both media specialization and client business specialization
• Lead the development of competitive analyses, identifying investment trends and translating findings into strategic insights and actionable implications
• Evaluate campaign performance and translate results into clear, actionable recommendations and learnings
• Synthesize complex and fragmented data into compelling, client-ready narratives, insights, and presentations
• Own day-to-day workstreams, managing client communications, timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination across local markets and internal teams

Communicates With:

Internal: Partners with other Strategy members, Strategic Resources, and Activation Partners

External: Responsible for fostering positive client and vendor relationships, as well as inter-agency relationships

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Minimal supervision, relies on experience/ judgment
• Excellent management and motivational skills
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and quantitative/analytical skills
• Strong client presentation skills and business writing skills
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning
• Detail-oriented and proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• 5+ years media planning experience including 3 years in a management capacity
  • Offline and Online media experience
  • Must have strong working knowledge of National and Local Media

Business Competencies:

• Computer Skills/Software Knowledge: Microsoft Suite, Nielsen, Kantar Software, IMS, Flowchart Software, R/F and Optimization Software, Social Tracking tools, Comscore, Google Analytics, Competitive Tools: Pathmatics, MediaRadar
• Exceptional written and verbal skills, with ability to present to clients, maintain client correspondence and internal documentation
• Demonstrate ability to learn new proprietary software and processes quickly and proficiently
• Understanding of Activation/Negotiation team functions
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each media type
• Able to make independent decisions and identify priorities
• Meet client and internal deadlines and obligations
• Manage projects, resources, stakeholders, and participants
• Be able to identify and promote solutions
• Be a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems/issues
• Knows industry trends and emerging media

Additional Information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive.  Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K,  as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email protected].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Veterans Encouraged to Apply.

Compensation Range: USD $106,780.00 - USD $170,937.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/2/2026.