Strategy Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellogg Company, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa and more.
Overview
The Associate Director, Connections Strategy will use research, data, and analytics to generate strategic insights that will craft cross-channel media strategy to answer client business objectives.
The ideal candidate for this position has the proven ability to lead strategic planning initiatives including development of audience approach, strategic frameworks, and channel roles across Paid, Owned, and Earned media. They should love data and insights and have strong storytelling and presentation skills. This candidate should demonstrate a curious spirit, a strong point of view, and the ability to connect across teams. This is an energetic, collaborative team that partners with an analytics-driven client to provide guidance as they continue to grow and evolve their brand.
Responsibilities

• Strategize with internal directors and client to develop innovative, well-targeted marketing solutions

• Collaborate with clients and cross agency partners to build strategic frameworks, and communication plans for targeted audiences

• Mine client data, brand health, consumer behavior reports, etc for insights and application

• Own the development of strategic proposals and client facing POVs, coordinating with necessary teams to account for all relevant inputs

• Assume accountability and ownership of campaign strategic approach for assigned client campaigns

• Proactively educate internal and external clients on value of consumer insight research

• Embrace and encourage a culture based on team work, collaboration, and support

• Develop best practices for improving communication and collaboration within the team and the group

• Lead knowledge share sessions to share and learn new strategies for optimizing and enhancing campaign performance

• Collaborate and foster relationships with key partners including clients, internal teams, and leadership

• Lead strategic planning initiatives including deck writing, budget and channel allocation, and audience development

• Serve as escalation point for teams to help troubleshoot issues

• Support development of strategic approach and experience design by delivering channel ideas and providing the link to reality of historical performance and in-market opportunities

• This role does not have direct reports; however, opportunities for leadership and mentorship are available within the team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, preferably with a concentration in marketing, advertising, communications, business, sociology, or consumer insights

• 5+ years of experience in media strategy/planning experience across media channels

• Previous team management experience

• Strong digital media experience preferred

• Resourceful, curious, and motivated individual with an ability to work independently as well as in a team setting

• Ability to manage timelines, projects and personnel within direct report team and across cross-functional teams

• Proven experience in successfully managing multiple work streams at one time

• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills

• Excellent presentation skills to effectively lead meetings in-person with key clients

• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and manage priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with strong understanding of Excel and PowerPoint

• Experience working within media systems/platforms (Kantar, MOAT, Prisma, ComScore etc.)

Additional Information
Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.
The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.
Compensation Range: $105,165 - $151,095 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/20/2025.
If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
#LI-DM3
Compensation Range: USD $105,165.00 - USD $151,095.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 11/2/2025.