Category Manager

Software Resources has an immediate job opportunity for a Sr. Category Strategy Manager with a major corporation in New York City. 6+ month contract. Pay Rate: $80- $83/hr DOE.

Overview
As a strategic entity in the Advertising organization, the Category Strategy team works to ensure Advertising is positioned to address our Clients' business needs while meeting the Company's long-term goals. The Category Strategy Sr. Manager, focusing on Consumer Packaged Goods (Client) and Retail, supports the Category Strategy Director by contributing to winning Client strategies in these advertising verticals.

Responsibilities
The Category Strategy Sr. Manager supports the Category Strategy Director and Vice‑President in developing category and client strategic narratives, GTM, and insights that drive ad sales revenue while addressing specific advertiser needs. The role works closely with cross‑functional teams including research, client/marketing solutions, data enablement, sales and sales communications to contribute to RFP responses, custom analyses and go‑to‑market presentations. This also includes setting up measurement studies in collaboration with appropriate Research teams and via syndicated sources.

He/She/They will work with the Category Strategy Director to develop evidence‑based narratives that establish and broaden the value proposition of Advertising Sales in the marketplace, focusing on the key pillars of the Company's value proposition.

The Sr. Manager will use a variety of syndicated sources to identify within the broad media portfolio the right opportunities for the right audiences to address Clients' goals.

The Sr. Manager will also be responsible for understanding consumer media trends, industry measurement solutions and competitive landscape to understand the environment in which both Advertising and its clients operate. Finally, He/She/They will present findings and narratives both internally and externally.

Additionally, the Sr. Manager will:

Mine syndicated data sources (e.g., MRI, Nielsen NPower, YouGov, AdIntel, SMI, EDO, Pathmatics, MarketCast) for insights as part of cohesive analyses and presentations.

Act as a liaison between Category Strategy, Research, and Sales to create measurement plans against Client KPIs.

Actively contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

Qualifications

7+ years of experience in advertising, media and/or marketing. Experience in the Client and/or Retail categories preferred.

Media experience at an agency or client-side or experience with a sales development/strategy role at a media company.

Multi‑platform media measurement with a strong background in addressable and data‑driven solutions.

Comfort working in media tools such as Nielsen NPower, Comscore, and social listening among others and consolidating findings in a simple summary.

Working knowledge of cross‑platform attribution vendors to measure brand lift and sales lift.

Business‑forward approach strongly preferred.

Out‑of‑the‑box thinker who enjoys brainstorming and finding new ways to do things.

Critical thinking to identify gaps and opportunities to improve the team's output.

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Strong presentation skills, capable of presenting to internal or external partners.

Passion for The Walt Disney Company, its content, and the advertising landscape.

Role Requirements

Media expertise.

Media research expertise.

Audience research.

Measurement and attribution research (e.g., brand lift, sales lift).

Business acumen.

Strategic thinking.

Project management.

Cross‑functional stakeholder management.

Key Skills and Characteristics

Strategic Business Perspective

Bring a strategic point of view.

Translate research data into business recommendations.

Help sales teams use insights effectively.

Identify opportunities that stakeholders may not initially recognize.

Proactively contribute ideas rather than only responding to requests.

Research and Measurement Experience

Audience research.

Media measurement.

Attribution methodologies.

Brand lift studies.

Sales lift studies.

Data interpretation.

Narrative Building and Storytelling

Turn data into compelling business stories.

Build reactive narratives based on business questions.

Develop proactive sales materials.

Create opportunity frameworks.

Produce research‑driven recommendations.

Help position data to support advertising and sales efforts.

Help sales teams identify audience opportunities and create strategic playbooks around seasonal business opportunities.

Relationship Building and Corporate Navigation

Build relationships across multiple teams.

Navigate a matrixed corporate environment.

Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Act as a consultant rather than a data provider.

Understand stakeholder needs before delivering recommendations.

Project Management Responsibilities

Manage multiple simultaneous initiatives.

Ensure teams have required data and resources.

Connect stakeholders.

Keep projects moving forward.

Maintain visibility across research activities.

Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; short‑term disability; life insurance with AD&D.

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