Associate Director - Strategy

UM MENAT; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global media network is seeking a strategic leader to manage client deliverables across the Lower Gulf Markets including Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The role requires strong communication strategy skills, media strategy development, and dynamic client servicing. The ideal candidate should excel in both offline and online media tactics to advise clients effectively. This role offers the opportunity to drive impactful media strategies within a reputable organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead client's strategy deliverables for the 3 Lower Gulf Markets.
• Develop integrated media strategy processes.
• Deliver business-changing hypotheses and insights.
• Advise clients on strategic business and brand planning.
• Work with partner agencies on integration.
• Collaborate with regional and local planning teams.
• Drive usage of key planning tools.
• Market implications from studies like WAVE.

Skills

Strong Comms strategy thinking

Media Strategy & Planning methodology

Data & Research-driven skills

Digital marketing skills

Innovative thinking

Dynamic client servicing approach

Presentation skills

Job description

UM Vision

UM is committed to empowering brands to reach their full potential of growth through the power of patterns by opening a brand’s aperture and rejecting black and white marketing decisions. As the leading global media network in IPG Mediabrands, UM operates in over 100 countries, with more than 3,000 people.

Ranked as the #1 media agency group in the region for the 7th consecutive year, as per RECMA’s most recent report, we were also named the #2 agency globally in 2021. Our client roster includes global clients, including Emirates, STC, Dyson, Aramco, Boeing, Nespresso, Kenvue, McDonald's, Mattel, Sony, Diriyah, New Balance, Talabat and Al Habtoor Motors.

Our most prized accolade is that of our team, whereby they voted us as a “Great Place to Work” in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This is a recognition we aim to keep upholding by putting our people at the centre of our business and continuously fostering an environment built on meritocracy, a sense of belonging, and community spirit to encourage work-life integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads on client’s strategy deliverables for the 3 Lower Gulf Markets (Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain)
• Responsible for integrated media strategy process development, from defining the business problem, unearthing consumers’ insights, developing strategic frameworks, holding ideation sessions, and allocating channels and measurement.
• Deliver business-changing hypotheses and insights that help UM's existing and potential clients evolve in the current communications market.
• Advise the clients on complex strategic business and brand planning.
• Work with partner agencies on integration.
• Work with the regional strategy team as well as the local office planning team as part of an overall integrated team.
• Drive usage of key planning tools.
• Work with the Insight team to market implications from bespoke studies such as WAVE.
• Understands client’s overall business and marketing objectives, displaying a sound knowledge of all media, including offline & Online, working efficiently as part of an overall integrated team.
• Pro-actively seek creative media opportunities appropriate to specific clients

Requirements

• Strong Comms strategy thinking
• Media Strategy & Planning methodology using scientific data and tools (integrated / both offline and online)
• Data & Research-driven skills
• Digital marketing and digital media skills: performance & biddable - social media
• Innovative thinking, technology savvy
• Dynamic client servicing approach
• High-pitched presentation skills