Associate Director, Digital Partnerships

Business Overview 

We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, and T-Mobile. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.  

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.  

There are four I’s in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.  

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.  
• INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.  
• IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.  
• IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world. 

The Associate Director, Digital Partnerships is responsible for developing, executing, and monitoring all digital media Partnership strategy and plans for clients, ensuring the work is to specification and correct as well as overseeing any applicable teamwork, resource/allocation, growth and development. The Associate Director will drive the team to explore and identify non-traditional partnerships opportunities and innovations. This is critical to their development and the success of the Partnerships division.

• Direct communication with clients for all marketplace intelligence, negotiation and partnership needs and leadership accountability for team’s day-to-day responsibilities.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Analytics and Comms Design teams to ensure alignment with and delivery against client KPI’s while managing partnership deliverable and expectations with clients on a daily basis
• Oversee partnership plan development, recommendation and implementation, incorporating necessary and appropriate rationale and research for client buy-in
• Regularly provide performance assessments to the team and help them to work toward their professional goals and ensure the Digital Partnerships team has clear strategy, budget and objectives at all times
• Provide partner selection recommendation and justification designed to deliver on client KPI’s using the most sophisticated use of data and analytics, via multi-faceted, strategic partnerships, while delivering maximum strategic value and efficiency
• Provide Partnerships support for various New Business pitches
• Assist and collaborate with all MB SBU’s for maximum effectiveness and seamless integration onto client business
• Assist MAGNA aggregate negotiations across all Digital media channels

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with senior-level clients, colleagues and vendors
• Demonstrated ability to develop digital marketing communication plans specifically encompassing digital media strategies
• Proven ability to drive projects from conception to completion; project management experience
• Proven knowledge of online planning and research tools and resources
• Experience with campaign management/ad serving technology: Double Click DART, and/or Atlas DMT
• Understand the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements

• 6+ years relevant experience including 3+ years supervisory experience required
• Programmatic experience. Experience working with a DMP preferred
• Preferred working knowledge of third party Internet marketing research: comScore Media Metrix, Nielsen NetView, @Plan, eMarketer and others
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure
• Detailed awareness of client business issues, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status, and competition

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. 

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.   

It is the policy 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 please email [email protected].