Associate Director, Social Marketing & Strategy

Love social? Live for a good campaign brief? Ready to shape how one of the world’s most iconic snack brands shows up in culture? This is your seat at the table. 

We’re looking for an Associate Director, Social Marketing & Strategy to lead social-first thinking across some of the biggest, boldest integrated marketing campaigns in CPG. You will be the strategic engine behind major partnership activations for a globally loved snack brand - turning big-swing ideas into culturally sharp, platform-native content that actually moves the needle.  

Reporting directly to the SVP, Head of Social Marketing & Strategy, you will partner closely with integrated teams to bring 360-campaigns to life across owned platforms. If you love being the person in the room who knows what’s next on social before it’s trending and want to be at the center of culture - this is your kind of role.  

What you'll do: 

• Own the social strategy — build, launch, and optimize social marketing plans tied to real KPIs, not vanity metrics 

• Be a true strategic partner to Account Leads and client teams, co-owning the relationship and bringing social expertise to the table 

• Collaborate cross-functionally to shape integrated, culturally relevant campaigns — and use consumer insights to influence decisions well beyond social 

• Raise the bar on creative and strategic quality, pushing ideas further through sharp feedback and hands-on iteration 

• Be the go-to voice on what's new and next in social — platforms, formats, tactics, trends 

• Embed social best practices into channel plans, annual strategies, and major brand initiatives 

• Keep complex, high-stakes programs on track and delivered at a caliber that meets (and exceeds) brand expectations 

• Let the data lead — using performance insights to sharpen creative direction and strategy in real time 

• Help shape how the broader social team works, setting the tone and standard through your own example 

Key Accountabilities 

Communication Skills 

• Actively seeks out relevant information by asking thoughtful, clarifying questions and continuously learning. 

• Adapts communication style and tone to suit the audience and situation. 

• Demonstrates strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills that are clear and persuasive. 

• Quickly turns ideas into actionable recommendations. 

• Uses communication tools and technology in innovative ways to inform, persuade, and inspire. 

Strategic Leadership 

• Effectively manages multiple projects, identifying efficiencies and new opportunities. 

• Leads across disciplines, driving work forward and keeping teams aligned. 

• Approaches challenges with a creative, solutions‑oriented mindset focused on both the work and ways of working. 

• Crafts clear, inspiring briefs that unlock strong creative thinking. 

• Develops strategies grounded in consumer, category, and cultural insights to solve client problems in new ways. 

• Demonstrates a proactive leadership style and encourages the same across the team. 

• Works independently and manages up when needed. 

• Applies a strong understanding of social analytics to optimize content and performance. 

• Partners with social strategists to identify cultural moments and trends worth activating. 

Partner Relations 

• Builds trusted client relationships by showing up as a reliable, informed partner. 

• Stays attuned to client needs and emerging opportunities, bringing a consultative selling mindset focused on business outcomes rather than individual offerings. 

• Partners closely with client and partner agency leads to own relationship throughout project lifecycle. 

Qualifications: 

• 7-9 years minimum experience 

• Expertise in and passion for the social space   

• We’re looking for candidates who are excited by the internet, love that it’s ever-changing, and understand how to apply this to clients   

• Agency experience preferred 

Additional Information 

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.  

The annual salary range for this position is $94,875-$138,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.  

Benefits available with this position include:  

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance, 

• Life insurance,  

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, 

• 401k, 

• Flexible paid time off, 

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to [email protected] by clicking on the link to let us  know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.