Context Director at Translation | New York City, NY | $119K/yr – $140K/yr

Context Director

New York City, NY (Hybrid)

$119K/yr – $140K/yrSenior Level7+ years expFull time

Posted 4 months ago

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Job Summary

Own and drive integrated communications and cultural strategy for a multicultural / African American audience, turning business goals into full‑funnel channel and campaign systems.

Responsibilities focus on shaping StratPack outputs that inform media, creative, and investment decisions.
Co-create media strategy with MIAT and Publicis, including channel mix and audience strategy with partner evaluation.
Oversee Custom Partnerships from RFI/RFP to execution with cultural credibility and measurable impact.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Lead integrated communications and cultural strategy across all McDonald’s AACM workstreams, translating business objectives into full-funnel channel architecture and campaign systems
Own annual and campaign-level StratPack deliverables (Fan Truth Tour, Pulse Reports, Competitive Reviews, Planning Sessions), ensuring outputs directly inform media, creative, and investment decisions
Direct media strategy inputs in partnership with MIAT and Publicis teams, shaping channel mix, audience strategy, well-rationalized media partner recommendations, custom partnership evaluation, and Investment Briefing recommendations
Lead Custom Partnerships strategy and oversight, from RFI/RFP development through execution, ensuring cultural credibility and measurable business impact
Pressure-test creative concepts, talent casting, and campaign rollouts through a culturally fluent lens rooted in African-American consumer insight
Provide ongoing audience intelligence and marketplace POV to inform Always-On brand stewardship and long-term planning
Maintain senior-level client relationships, influencing cross-agency alignment and strengthening Translation’s credibility as a media-fluent strategic partner
Oversee Context resourcing, workflow rigor, and mentorship of planners supporting the McDonald’s business

Requirements

7+ years of experience in communications planning, connections planning, integrated media strategy, or cultural strategy within an agency or brand environment
Demonstrated experience leading integrated campaigns for large, complex brands
Proven experience developing strategies that engage multicultural or African American audiences

Preferred

Experience working on QSR and/or large-scale retail brands
Experience within complex Integrated Agency Team (IAT) ecosystems
Direct involvement in Investment Briefings, RFI/RFP development, and custom partnership negotiations
Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing mid-to-senior planners
Deep organizational and operational skills adapted to high-paced workflows