Associate Director, Social Strategy

Who We Are   
Horizon Next is one of the industry's most innovative and data-driven marketing organizations and sits at the intersection of three constantly changing landscapes: people, data, and media. Our business provides strategic leadership to accelerate growth for our clients through brand strategy, media planning and investment, and best in class analytics across all channels. As the leader in innovative business solutions, we are always pushing ourselves to understand what’s next: our next innovation, our next advancement in analytics, the market’s next media evolution, and your next breakthrough idea. Horizon Next operates with the single goal that tomorrow must outperform today.   

At Horizon Next, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed, safe and empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspective allows us to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together.  

Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow.  

 
What You’ll Do  

Campaign Management & Execution – 10% 

• Supervise RFP creation and review of social partners, proposal analyses, and partner negotiations  

• Oversee junior team campaign buying from set-up to keyword selection through to targeting buckets, optimization, and pacing/reporting; implement QA processes 

• Guide planner in campaign set-up, including testing methodologies, reporting requirements, and optimization requirements, for ensuring full impact and efficiency of each campaign 

• Ensure team follows QA process 

Social Media Strategy – 25% 

• Lead strategic social plan development in tandem with the Digital & Business Solutions teams 

• Integrate social insights into overall planning process, incorporating data, research, and analytics into recommendations in order to deeply understand the role marketplace media plays in larger media objectives 

• Partner closely with other Horizon Next teams (Business Solutions, Investment, etc.), building cross team relationships and incorporating relevant extensions 

• Drive team brainstorms to kick off plan and consideration set development 

• Oversee creation and development of media specific documents such as media plans, objectives and strategies decks, and other related functions 

• Stay abreast of industry trends, develop POVs related to overall social marketplace buying 

Reporting & Analysis – 5% 

• Parse through large datasets to provide critical thinking and analysis, as well as draw conclusions and discover actionable implications 

• Lead in development of processes with Horizon Next Analytics & Business Intelligence teams to aggregate data and ensure standardization across Next accounts  

• Own and oversee the development of learning agendas including testing methodologies, reporting requirements, and optimization requirements, for ensuring full impact and efficiency of each campaign 

Relationship Management – 20% 

• Have foresight and understanding of projects to maintain and adjust timing of deliverables for team at large, communicating changes to managers and leadership  

• Apply knowledge of current/previous clients’ specific business and industry to enhance and further relationships  

• Maintain a strong presence across Horizon Next departments (i.e. Business Solutions, Operations, Analytics, Biddable Teams), building trust and accountability   

• Act as primary resource for junior team members when faced with challenges navigating conversations with internal and external partners and clients 

• Act as day-to-day resource for client team to ensure prioritization of projects, understanding of goals and media that aligns with objectives to drive client business 

Team Management & Supervision – 30% 

• Manage and develop junior team member(s), creating growth plans and providing clear career goals 

• Manage performance reviews, coaching to maximize success, identifying training needs for improved performance, setting goals for career development and ensuring actions are taken  

• Provide education and training on best practices, media principals, and social industry at large   

• Participate in interview process for junior team members roles  

• Guide team in setting goals and project tasks and timelines, ensuring team members have challenging, level-appropriate projects and opportunities to learn new skills, contributing to overall team success 

• Responsible for leaning into Horizon Next initiatives while encouraging junior team members to participate and engage within the larger Next Social community 

 
Who You Are  

• A strong writer, communicator and presenter  

• A left and right brain thinker – a data powered strategist  

• A collaborative, team-oriented manager with strong delegation and organization skills  

• Confident in navigating conversations with senior leadership internally and externally 

• A problem solver with foresight and the ability to develop creative solutions  

• Detail oriented with commitment to follow through  

• Nimble and flexible to succeed in a fast-paced environment  

• A strong leader, excited to manage and grow team members 

• Interested in the social landscape and a desire to innovate and keep up with trends  

• A supporter of and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion 

Preferred Skills & Experience 

• 5+ years previous paid social media experience 

• Thorough knowledge of advanced analytics and performance media 

• Understanding of marketing principles, analytics and concepts 

• Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint skills 

• Experience buying ads on Facebook and Instagram is crucial, additional platforms preferred  

• Exposure to advanced targeting/retargeting tactics in social 

• Experience owning the full social strategy process inclusive of working with partners, clients and internal stakeholders 

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; able to confidently present and “sell through” ideas both internally and to Clients 

• Comfort owning and managing budget/investment levels in social media 

• Strong experience navigating cross-department relationships 

• Leadership and supervisory experience in terms of developing media professionals, including strategic and management skills  
   

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations 
This role does not require certificates, licenses and/or registrations 
 
Physical Activity and Work Environment 
This role does not require any physical activity 

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.