OverviewThe Director of Partner Direct Investment serves as a media expert and partnership architect, providing leadership across both partner direct media investment strategy and big-idea, cross-platform deal-making. This is a hybrid role that sits at the intersection of rigorous investment discipline and creative partnership development - requiring an individual who can command the nuances of traditional and digital media buying while simultaneously conceiving and activating first-to-market, culturally resonant programs.
ResponsibilitiesCore Craft Skills- Drives innovative, cross-channel strategies spanning digital, linear, and partnership activations that go beyond standard buys to deliver against client KPIs and broader business outcomes.
- Ideates and pitches first-to-market partnership concepts including branded content integrations, tentpole sponsorships, custom content creation, and exclusive platform franchises that create differentiated value for clients.
- Maintains vendor relationships to ensure high-quality execution, competitive negotiation leverage, and access to first-look partnership opportunities.
Client Exposure- Serves as a client-facing lead for Partner Direct, aligning internal teams, partners, and stakeholders on investment strategy and partnership vision.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional, integrated marketing team to develop and execute bespoke partnerships
- Leads partner direct investment POVs, client-facing decks, and partnership proposals that demonstrate incremental value and resonate with stakeholders, including C-suite and senior marketing leaders.
Team Leadership- Mentor direct reports on goal setting, timeline management, and vendor/client relationships while fostering curiosity, investment excellence, and big-idea thinking.
- Reviews and approves all deliverables to ensure quality, strategic soundness, and investment viability
- Directs daily workflow across proposal development, activation, optimization, and post-campaign analytics.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree from a four-year, accredited college or university.
- 10+ years of experience in media planning and buying
- 5+ years of prior staff management, development, and mentoring experience
- 3-5 years of experience in partnership development and activation
- Demonstrated experience in structuring and executing high-value media partnerships, branded content programs, or platform-level strategic deals.
- Deep familiarity with the evolving video landscape across streaming, social video, linear, and emerging formats.
- Operates effectively in a matrixed organization, managing multiple workstreams and competing priorities with clarity and confidence.
- Command of media systems and tools, contract operations, and upstream/downstream billing impact,
Additional informationThe 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 eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.
Compensation Range: USD $121,315.00 - USD $194,220.00/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. 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 9/1/2026.
