Group Director, Strategy - Pharma

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.Position OverviewAs Group Strategy Director, you are responsible for the creation of the strategic direction a brand will take in communications to achieve their business goals. You are responsible for helping to strategize, produce and make sense of the key cultural, consumer and market intelligence required to design the best possible holistic communications plan to deliver on that task.You have a passion for people, brands and ideas and an innate, almost insatiable curiosity for culture in every sense. You believe that brands can & should mean in the world, and are driven by the desire to understand the changing world and people's subsequent shifting motivations and behaviors.The absolute focus for this role is the quality and creativity of the work. This requires the ability to identify, embrace & sell new thinking, and excellent presentation skills and leadership behaviors are essential to the job.Equally, you are responsible for ensuring that the Strategy Teams' work is rooted in genuine insight & business understanding, and are expected to work alongside all Strategists, providing on the ground training where necessary & helping manage them to develop new strategic approaches & frameworks in collaboration with the Analytics, Communications Design and Client teams.ResponsibilitiesTranslate the client's business goals into communications jobs that provide the team(s) with clear direction on the task they need to achieveMaintain excellent client relationships & truly understanding the clients key business and challengesEnsure the teams deliver best in class work as standardProactively identify strategic issues before they potentially become real client problems, demonstrating strong analytical & strategic skills to help solve those problemsProvide and/or guide strategic input for all plans, internally & externallyBring fresh thinking & inspiration into the Strategic Process, actively demonstrating how non-"˜media' inspiration can provide a springboard to better Strategic thinkingDrive the development & usage of the Cultural Analytical Process/Tools to help teams find new insights that unlock growthWork with the Strategy Directors to deliver executable, relevant, on brand platforms with the potential for fame/award entryTrain, guide & assist the Strategy & Client teams in development and packaging of ideasUse qualitative & and quantitative research to develop applicable insights into the consumer connection with the brandPartner with Analytics Strategy team to develop POVs on research, understanding & measurement solutions, inputting into the development of cutting edge planning, research and reporting models required to compete & dominate in the marketplaceContribute to Agency/Client revenue opportunities via teams Strategic outputProactively work with all partners (vendors, academic institutions, creative consultancies) to unlock new growth opportunities for the client &/or the agencyParticipate in new business as requiredQualification - Required SkillsAbility to think differently: creative & adaptive, entrepreneurial, independently-minded; deeply immersed in cultural understanding and driven by a desire to know more the world / to better understand people's motivations & behaviors in the shifting landscapeExcellent written and verbal communication skills, is an experienced presenter and storytellerAn interest in healthcare and learning more about patient and doctor experience, and how communications can augment their journeys to care.Experience working in/collaborating with a media planning team (either internally or in a partner agency)Experience in managing and developing junior strategy talentQualifications - Desired SkillsPreferably 10+ years in integrated planning role in media, creative, innovation or communications discipline (digital, content, invention, social, activation)Has worked on a health or pharmaceutical client in the pastKnowledge of key media tools such as MRI/Simmons (survey dashboards), comfort in resources such as Mintel, WARC_____________________________________________________________________________________________We See You At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community.We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.We See You at IPG Mediabrands.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. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.The salary range for this position is listed 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.Employment Transparency It is the policy of Initiative, 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.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 accommodation 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 Initiative, please email [email protected] IPG MediabrandsIPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at .

Created: 2025-06-19