Let’s be honest – in this industry, sometimes we complicate things that should be simple. Here is the bottom line:  we want YOU to join us if you are truly passionate about guiding marketers on how to best connect their brands with people. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

At Spark Foundry, we have a unique approach and provide the support to help you do this. In fact, our approach is built on creating the space for ideas that lead to smart work, and Spark Foundry is built to celebrate and develop YOUR ideas.

The Strategy Manager is the primary manager for the day-to-day requirements of communications planning. They are responsible for translating marketing/media objectives into communication plan development action steps, and managing the Senior Associate through various projects. The Strategy Manager is the point of contact for clients on stewardship requests, and is responsible for having a firm grasp of both strategic and functional media knowledge. The Strategy Manager should be ready and able to step in and handle situations as necessary.

This role offers frequent client contact, ownership of the integrated plan, and the opportunity to lead project management and cross-media integration.

Four essential qualities we seek are:
•    Strong leadership presence and client management skills (ability to manage the maintenance on the brand and own the plan)
•    Digital mindset/fluency and an insatiable curiosity for Innovation
•    Flexibility and agility to manage complex processes with positivity and "can-do" attitude
•    Ability to think beyond "media" as an active creative collaborator within an Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team

RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Assists the Strategy Director with all aspects of communication plan development and recommendations
•    Interprets communications/media strategy and translates into communication planning action steps
•    Oversees/manages the Senior Assocaite and day-to-day operation of all media activity
•    Demonstrate initiative by researching and identifying valuable information/insights to improve media product
•    Fully embraces connections that captivate and uses as guiding principles for all media/communication recommendations
•    Determines and supervises the best possible implementation of all approved communication plans and projects
•    Acts as primary point of contact for client stewardship requests
•    Learns and understands all phases of the client marketing objectives and provides media recommendations to deliver against these objectives
•    Understands all proprietary research tools/processes and applies learning during communication planning
•    Prepares and presents communication plans, as needed, including objectives, strategy, rationale, and all backup materials
•    Establishes strong working relationship with partner agencies (where/when applicable), delivering a seamless communications process
•    Demonstrates agility via multi-tasking – multiple brands, strategic development and plan stewardship, management of direct reports
•    Develops collaborative working relationship with all implementation teams, ensuring they fully understand brand’s communication objectives/strategies
•    Trains and develops Associate(s) including:
o    Effective level of delegation
o    Managing group dynamics/relationships between Associate(s)
o    Establishes and demonstrates strong leadership skills
o    Evaluates performance of Associate(s) via PMP process; including assisting in the establishment of the cascading goals
o    Checks work of Associate(s) to ensure accuracy
o    Identifies opportunities for Associate(s) career development
•    Continues participation in MDS Training offerings
•    Establishes strong interviewing skills
•    Timely delivery of all work

•    3+ years of media planning experience
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills
•    Ability to prioritize and organize projects for self and Senior Associate
•    Excellent understanding of media fundamentals
•    Demonstrates ability in training and leadership capability
•    Provides an energy level that brings new and exciting ideas to the planning function
•    Experience in/Knowledge of GWI, Comscore, MRI, Commspoint, Kantar a plus

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