Manager, Communications Design

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. 

As Manager, Communications Design, you are managing the production and application of accurate and insightful consumer, cultural relevant, media and market intelligence to contribute to an impactful communications/media plan. With direction from your Associate Director or Director, you take the strategic design imperatives (Strategy On A Page: SOAP) and communications idea and deploy a variety of data and intelligence to identify and prioritize the best communications channels.

In this role, you are leading the preparation of the communications/media plan flowchart via MediaTools or Lumina and ensuring the communications plan is built on solid, data rich fundamentals. Working with partnerships, media publishers/ distributors/ suppliers, and your communications design team, you ensure the accuracy of the inputs required for the development of the media plan flowchart. The manager will develop junior talent and teach media planning fundamentals to internal teams and clients alike.

• Create accurate substantiated and detailed media plans and media planning scenarios
• In charge of timely, accurate delivery of day-to-day requests from the team along with disciplined and organized call-reports and timely follow-throughs
• Organize and develop client-facing category, culture and competitive tracking documents
• Work with the Associate Director and Partnerships team to develop the RFP to brief internal partnership’s/ SBU team and external partners
• Manage the team output and development of the flowchart including oversight of the plan being accurately produced within Ripple/ MediaTools/Lumina to address the reach/frequency and business goals
• Lead the best practice production of audience and communications data and intelligence for the development of the communications plan, utilizing relevant tools and techniques
• Contribute to the ideation team sessions in conjunction with the Strategy team and relevant SBU to generate creative & compelling connections idea.
• Responsible for timely, accurate delivery of day to day requests from the client and internal team
• Responsible for maintaining impactful media plans; oversight of brand media plans, financials, ATBs and billing documentation internally and for the client
• Leads internal, client and partner agency status calls and updates; organizes and coordinates call-reports and ensures that follow-ups are documented and carried out in a timely manner
• Digests the client's goals/target and leads compiling planning inputs – competitive reporting, syndicated audience research, landscape trends, campaign learnings

• Experience in an integrated planning role in media, publisher / vendor, or communications discipline
• Media planning skills must be sufficient and able to be taught to junior team members
• Ability to delegate, develop and oversee direct reports
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills
• Required PC proficiency and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

• 4+ years relevant experience with 1+ years of experience in managing or developing staff
• Category or audience experience as relevant per assignment
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
• Proven problem-solving ability

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].