Associate Director, Creative Strategy

Future PLC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401k plus a company match

Uncapped leave

Profit-sharing bonus when targets hit

Refer a friend bonus

Well-being support

Share Incentive Plan

Job summary

Future is seeking an Associate Director, Creative Strategy to lead strategic development of custom, insight-driven marketing proposals for top brands. You will partner with sales, editorial, video, and production to build cross-platform programs that combine audience insights with commercial objectives across Future's brands.

You will own the pre-sale process, translate trends into innovative campaigns, and shape compelling go-to-market narratives while working closely with media planners and

Qualifications

• 6+ years in integrated marketing, branded content strategy, media, advertising, or creative strategy.
• Experience developing strategic programs across multiple consumer categories.
• Proven ability to craft pre-sale proposals with insights, strategy and commercial thinking.
• Strong knowledge of digital, social, video, creator, experiential, and commerce marketing ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of custom client proposals, opportunities, and collateral across our brands and verticals.
• Own the pre-sale process end-to-end with cross-functional leads on brainstorms, RFPs, decks, and pitches.
• Translate audience insights and cultural trends into innovative, insight-based marketing solutions.
• Build strategic packages across video, social, creator campaigns, newsletters, activations, audio and emerging platforms.
• Shape go-to-market narratives and tentpole opportunities to differentiate the marketplace.
• Bring experience in commerce-driven categories and understand how audiences shop and engage with brands.
• Develop integrated 360 opportunities with platform-native storytelling aligning editorials with client goals.

Skills

Integrated marketing

Branded content strategy

Proposal development

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Digital and social ecosystems

Senior stakeholder storytelling

Job description

Who We Are

We're Future, a global leader in specialist media. Our people bring our trusted brands to life, helping millions of people discover expert content that informs, inspires, and drives action. As a pioneering multi-platform media powerhouse, we provide expert content and technology that build valuable communities across all channels.

Description

This role sits within our Creative Strategy team and works closely with both Media Planning and Client Success, while remaining a distinct function from those teams.

As Associate Director, Creative Strategy, you will lead the strategic development of custom integrated marketing proposals for some of the world's leading brands, partnering closely with sales, creative, editorial, video, and production teams to build insight-driven, commercially compelling programs across Future's portfolio.

You'll operate across a diverse range of categories—including tech, retail, CPG, auto, and more—bringing together audience insights, editorial authority, cultural trends, and client objectives to develop innovative cross-platform marketing solutions. Beyond responding to briefs, you'll help shape scalable franchises, go-to-market narratives, and commercial opportunities that drive growth for both advertisers and Future.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the strategic development of custom client proposals, proactive opportunities, and presentation collateral across our portfolio of brands and verticals.
• Own the pre-sale process from end to end, partnering with cross-functional leads to guide brainstorms, RFP development, deck creation, proposal refinement, and client pitches.
• Translate audience insights and cultural trends into innovative, insight-based marketing solutions.
• Build strategic commercial packages spanning video, social media, creator campaigns, newsletter, experiential activations, audio and emerging platforms.
• Shape go-to-market narratives and tentpole opportunities to strengthen marketplace differentiation.
• Bring experience within commerce-driven categories and a strong understanding of how audiences shop, discover products, and engage with brands across platforms.
• Develop integrated 360 opportunities with platform-native storytelling that seamlessly blends client objectives with editorial brand DNA.
• This role sits on our creative strategy team, working closely with media planners and the client success team, but is not on those teams.

What You’ll Bring

• 6+ years of experience in integrated marketing, branded content strategy, media, advertising, or creative strategy
• Experience developing strategic marketing programs across multiple consumer categories
• Proven ability to craft compelling pre-sale proposals combining insights, strategy, and commercial thinking
• Strong knowledge of digital, social, video, creator, experiential, and commerce marketing ecosystems
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment
• Team-oriented mindset with a track record of shaping strategic narratives for senior stakeholders
• Familiarity with audience development, content monetization, and shaping recurring content formats
• Excellent storytelling, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience developing social-first and video-first branded content.
• Strong understanding of platform-native storytelling across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and emerging media.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k plus a company match
• Uncapped leave, because we trust you to manage your workload and time
• When we hit our targets, enjoy a share of our profits with a bonus
• Refer a friend and get rewarded when they join Future
• Well-being support with access to our Colleague Assistant Programs
• Opportunity to purchase shares in Future with our Share Incentive Plan

The expected range for this role is $100,000 - $120,000.

This is a hybrid role, working two days from the New York office.

Internal job family level Commercial 4

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is central to who we are. We believe different perspectives spark new ideas, fuel creativity, and drive innovation. That's why we're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

We're dedicated to fair and inclusive hiring practices and welcome talent from all backgrounds, because diverse teams build stronger futures. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments.

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