Manager, Strategy & Planning (Pharma Client)

Job Description
Overview: 
The Strategy Manager is the primary manager of the day-to-day requirements of traditional communications planning. They are responsible for translating marketing/media objectives into communication plan development action steps, and managing the Associate(s) through various projects.  The Strategy Manager is the primary point of contact for clients on stewardship requests, and is responsible for having a firm grasp of both strategic and functional media knowledge.  The Strategy Manager should be ready and able to step in and handle situations when the Associate Director is not available. 
This role offers frequent client contact, ownership of the integrated plan, and the opportunity to lead project management and cross-media integration. 
Role Objectives: 
Assists Associate Director with all aspects of traditional communication plan development/recommendations 
Interprets communications/offline media strategy and translates into communication planning action steps 
Oversees/manages Associate(s) and day-to-day operation of all media activity 
Demonstrates initiative by researching and identifying valuable information/insights to improve media product 
Fully embraces Connections that Captivate and uses as guiding principles for all media/communication recommendations 
Determines and supervises the best possible implementation of all approved communication plans and projects 
Acts as primary point of contact for client’s stewardship requests 
Learns and understands all phases of the clients’ marketing objectives and provides media recommendations to deliver against these objectives 
Understands all proprietary research tools/processes and applies learning during communication planning 
Prepares and presents communication plans, as needed, including objectives, strategy, rationale, and all backup materials 
Establishes strong working relationship with partner agencies (where/when applicable), delivering a seamless communications process 
Demonstrates agility via multitasking – multiple brands, strategic development and plan stewardship, management of Associate(s) 
Develops collaborative working relationship with all implementation teams, ensuring they fully understand brand communication objectives/strategies 
Trains and develops Associate(s), including: 
Effective level of delegation 
Managing group dynamics/relationships between Associate(s) 
Establishes and demonstrates strong leadership skills 
Evaluates performance of Associate(s) via PMP process; includes assisting in the establishment of the cascading goals 
Checks work of Associate(s) to ensure accuracy 
Identifies opportunities for Associate(s) career development 
Continues participation in MDS Training offerings