Associate Director, Integrated Planning & Strategy
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled integrated planners has surged, with 27% growth in 2025, driven by brands seeking cohesive consumer experiences. DEPT stands out for its innovative approach, combining technology and marketing. To succeed in this role, candidates need expertise in connections planning, media strategy, and leadership. Before applying, consider your experience in managing large-scale accounts and your ability to drive growth through data-driven decisions.
Job Description
About the Role
As an Associate Director of Integrated Planning and Strategy at DEPT, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our most ambitious accounts. You will be responsible for designing how brands show up across the entire consumer ecosystem, not just where they advertise. This role is at the intersection of insight, idea, and orchestration, translating human understanding into full-funnel experiences that drive both brand and business outcomes.Your day-to-day will involve collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions that go beyond media to create meaningful connections. You will work closely with clients as a strategic growth advisor, identifying opportunity spaces, shaping business challenges, and unlocking new opportunities beyond media investment. Your expertise in connections planning and integrated marketing communications will be vital in defining end-to-end connections strategies grounded in audience, cultural, and behavioral insights.
The role is part of a dynamic team that values better together, relentlessly curious, and get things done. You will have the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.
What You Will Do
- Architect full-funnel ecosystems that integrate paid, owned, earned, and shared touchpoints to deliver cohesive and connected consumer experiences.
- Partner with clients as a strategic growth advisor, identifying opportunity space, shaping business challenges, and unlocking new opportunities beyond media investment.
- Define end-to-end connections strategies grounded in audience, cultural, and behavioral insights—linking communications, content, and commerce into a unified system.
- Orchestrate the interplay between brand building and performance, ensuring immediate impact while compounding long-term brand equity.
- Lead cross-functional teams (Strategy, Creative, Media, Data, Technology) to develop experience-led solutions, not just channel plans.
- Translate data and insights into clear narratives and actionable frameworks that influence senior stakeholders and drive decision-making.
- Establish holistic measurement approaches that connect exposure, engagement, and outcomes—moving beyond siloed channel attribution to true effectiveness storytelling.
- Drive innovation in how we connect with audiences, continuously evolving frameworks, tools, and approaches to stay ahead of changing behaviors and platforms.
- Play a leading role in new business and thought leadership, articulating a differentiated vision for integrated strategy and connections planning.
- Mentor and elevate a team of strategists, fostering systems thinking, curiosity, and strategic rigor in their work.
What We Are Looking For
- 5-7 years of experience in omni-channel media strategy and planning, with a proven track record of leading large-scale accounts.
- A strong passion for critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of how businesses, brands, and customers interact.
- Experience in connections planning or integrated marketing communications (IMC), with a deep understanding of how content and media intersect.
- Expert-level proficiency with media research and audience profiling tools (e.g., GWI, MRI, ComScore, Pathmatics).
- Demonstrated success in managing 360-degree sponsorship or tentpole campaign planning.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence senior clients and navigate complex multi-agency environments.
- A data-driven mindset paired with creative intuition—you know how to back up big ideas with hard numbers.
- Proven experience in managing and growing direct reports, building a culture of excellence and curiosity.
Nice to Have
- Experience with Adjust and Excel for data analysis and planning.
- Knowledge of the latest trends in digital marketing and paid media.
- Certification in Google Ads or other relevant platforms.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity to work with a growth invention company.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible working hours and remote work options.
- Access to the latest tools and technologies.
- Recognition and reward for outstanding performance.
How to Stand Out
- Make sure your portfolio showcases experience with omni-channel media strategy and planning, highlighting your ability to lead large-scale accounts.
- Develop a deep understanding of how businesses, brands, and customers interact to excel in this role.
- Familiarize yourself with media research and audience profiling tools to demonstrate expert-level proficiency.
- Prepare to discuss how you drive innovation in connecting with audiences and evolving frameworks, tools, and approaches.
- Showcase your ability to translate data and insights into clear narratives and actionable frameworks that influence senior stakeholders.
- Highlight your experience in managing and growing direct reports, and your ability to build a culture of excellence and curiosity.
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