Freelance Associate Director, Marketing & Communications

Position Summary

Initiative is one of the world’s fastest growing media planning and buying agencies. In 2022, COMvergence ranked us no. 1 globally in new business with billings and revenue increasing by more than 40%. Our clients include some of the world’s top brands including Nike, Amazon, T-Mobile, Teva, and Merck. The marketing team is a key driver of Initiative’s growth strategy and is charged with raising the profile of the agency within the industry and among key stakeholders. This small but mighty team leads awards submissions, develops internal communications including emails and videos, oversees the agency’s social media channels, secures editorial media placements, and supports the thought leadership of senior leadership. The associate director of marketing is a new role and will help execute the US and global marketing strategies in partnership with the heads of US and global marketing, and the global chief growth officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a range of high-quality written communications and marketing materials including awards entries, social media posts, media pitches, internal communications, briefing documents, presentation, and other content.
• Manage internal communications including agencywide emails and event invitations.
• Manage social media content in collaboration with the social content & marketing designer.
• Maintain awards calendars and proactively plan the submission of awards to celebrate our agency, work, and people.
• Upload and track all US and global awards submissions.
• Develop talking points, briefing documents, and fact sheets for senior leadership.
• Monitor trade media outlets for opportunities to pitch and place agency subject matter experts.
• Stay current on relevant industry issues that could impact our business, position, or messaging.
• Participate in working groups focused on social media planning, awards nominations, and other marketing activities.
• Support the development of processes and systems such as Sharepoint sites for executing high-impact marketing programs.

Desired Skills & Experience

• 5-10+ years of experience in communications, marketing, and/or public relations.
• Razor-sharp writer and editor with expertise in developing persuasive content such as awards submissions, internal communications, social media, press releases, and POVs.
• Proficiency in developing social media content aligned with brand voice and optimizing for audience engagement.
• Keen understanding of the role of strategic communications in understanding target audiences and driving business objectives.
• Ability to identify target media outlets and craft compelling story pitches.
• Design sensibility with the ability to articulate visual design needs for diverse products including videos, social media assets, presentations, event flyers, and other materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and highly collaborative mindset with the ability to develop strong cross-functional working relationships.
• Entrepreneurial and self-starter approach with the ability to anticipate needs, set priorities, and execute deliverables with limited supervision.
• Skill developing storyboards for videos and overseeing production including providing direction for video editing.
• Experience and comfort working in a high-output environment with competing priorities and multiple stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or business-related field is preferred. Master’s degree a plus.
• Agency and/or corporate communications experience a plus.

Wage and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50/hour to $60/hour. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors; 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.

Employment Transparency

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, 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 with Mediabrands, please email [email protected].

About Us

Initiative is different to other media agencies.

We are not trapped by a legacy structure primarily centered on paid advertising. Instead, we are liberated by a new world structure designed to deliver highly differentiated and highly effective communications strategies for our clients.

We are the world’s fastest growing media agency built upon the strongest strategic capability of any agency in the market. Core to this strategic proposition is the belief that the faster a brand can move through culture the more relevant it can become. We call this Cultural Velocity ™. Our process is designed to create ideas that move through culture through unique insight, market leading analytics and strategic media brilliance. Our new world model is comprised of “craft centers” – Client Advice and Management, Strategy, Communications Design, Partnership and Culture, Insights & Analytics.

Initiative