Director, Audience & Connections Strategy

Accountabilities: Develop comprehensive audience and connections strategies across paid, owned, and earned channels, ensuring cohesive and effective brand communications across the consumer journey. Conduct audience, category, competitive, cultural, and consumer research to uncover actionable insights and identify opportunities for brand growth. Translate audience intelligence and research findings into integrated, full-funnel strategies that connect consumer needs with business objectives. Design consumer journey frameworks that map the path to purchase, identify key moments of influence, and inform cross-channel media planning and investment decisions. Serve as a strategic advisor to clients, providing recommendations on audience priorities, media investments, consumer engagement, and integrated communication strategies. Collaborate with media, data, account management, and creative teams to align strategic recommendations with campaign objectives and ensure consistent execution across channels. Establish measurement frameworks across the consumer journey, identifying relevant performance indicators that assess business impact beyond clicks and other surface-level engagement metrics. Present strategic recommendations, research findings, and audience insights to senior client stakeholders and internal leadership, building confidence and alignment around proposed strategies. Lead audience and connections strategy contributions to new business pitches, partnering closely with media strategy teams to develop compelling proposals and differentiated solutions. Provide strategic guidance, constructive feedback, and ongoing support to cross-functional partners across assigned client accounts. Contribute to thought leadership initiatives that demonstrate expertise in audience behavior, media connections, consumer insights, and emerging industry trends. Leverage AI tools and innovative research approaches to support strategic ideation, insight development, and the creation of planning frameworks. Requirements Six to eight years of experience in consumer insights, audience strategy, connections planning, or a related discipline within an advertising or media agency environment. Deep expertise in audience research, consumer intelligence, and competitive analysis, with hands-on experience using tools such as GWI, MRI-Simmons, Resonate, Kantar, Media Radar, Pathmatics, EDO, and Similarweb. Proven ability to translate complex data into compelling insights, differentiated strategic recommendations, and actionable media plans. Demonstrated experience partnering with integrated media teams to develop and execute strategies across traditional and digital channels. Strong understanding of the media landscape, including digital, social, programmatic, and traditional media, as well as the relationships between channels throughout the consumer journey. Experience developing consumer journey frameworks, integrated campaign strategies, and communication platforms that support brand and business objectives. A strong track record of cultivating client relationships, building trust, facilitating collaboration, and driving strategic alignment with key stakeholders. Experience supporting new business pitches and collaborating with media strategy teams to develop persuasive, insight-driven proposals. Proven ability to present complex strategic recommendations clearly and confidently to senior clients, internal leadership, and cross-functional teams. Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to identify patterns, interpret audience behavior, and turn research into meaningful business opportunities. Knowledge of media planning, research methodologies, campaign measurement, and performance evaluation. Working knowledge of AI tools, including the ability to develop effective prompts for strategic ideation, research exploration, and framework development. Excellent written, verbal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. A strategic, consumer-centric mindset, combined with the ability to balance creative thinking, analytical rigor, and commercial priorities. Ability to work independently as an individual contributor while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Must be authorized to work in the United States; immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. Benefits Competitive annual salary: Anticipated base salary ranging from $118,000 to $130,000 , depending on experience, qualifications, skills, location, and other job-related factors. Performance-based bonus: Eligibility for an annual target bonus based on company, department, and individual performance. Bonus payments are not guaranteed and are subject to applicable eligibility requirements. Remote-first work environment: Flexibility to work remotely from most U.S. states, subject to geographic restrictions. Flexible schedules: Work arrangements designed to support autonomy and a healthy work-life balance. Work-from-anywhere options: Additional location flexibility, subject to applicable program terms and restrictions. Unlimited paid time off: A flexible PTO policy to support personal needs, rest, and time away from work. Extended winter holiday break: Additional time off during the winter holiday season. Paid parental leave: 100% paid parental leave to support employees and their families. Retirement benefits: 401(k) plan with employer matching. Healthcare coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance. Insurance and financial protection: Life insurance, sponsored life insurance, short-term disability coverage, and additional voluntary insurance options. Pet insurance: Coverage options to help support employees' pets. Wellness benefits: Annual ClassPass credits and additional resources to encourage health and well-being. Office and collaboration opportunities: Access to office hubs in Los Angeles and New York for in-person collaboration, professional development, events, and workspace. Inclusive workplace culture: A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, professional growth, and a supportive environment where employees can contribute meaningfully.