Temporary Context Director, Media

Who We Are
We are an award-winning independent creative solutions company that aspires to be the most culturally-influential company in the world. We help ambitious brands harness the power of culture to solve their biggest challenges. As a unique mix of experts in culture, technology, and storytelling, we are united by a passion to grow brands in ways that advertising alone can never do.

We are an entrepreneurial business – not a traditional “ad agency.” That means we value resourcefulness and tenacity just as much as we value creativity and intelligence. We’re unapologetically ambitious!

We are looking for a Context Director to join Translation.

This role is based in Brooklyn, New York with four days in-office and one day remote.

What You’ll Do

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Advanced integrated communications planning across paid, owned, earned, experiential, and custom partnerships

Strong command of audience strategy, channel role definition, and reach/frequency implications

Ability to translate cultural research and data into clear, commercially grounded recommendations

Deep fluency in African-American consumer dynamics, subcultures, and media behaviors

Expertise evaluating media partners and partnerships using audience fit, indexing, and performance signals

Executive-level presentation and stakeholder management skills

Operational discipline within complex, matrixed, multi-agency systems

Strong casting judgment across talent, influencers, and internal team configurations

Ability to balance innovation with business practicality and investment realities

Minimum Qualifications

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 Qualifications

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

Salary Hiring Range:

$119,000 - $140,000

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