Account Director, Integrated Media Strategy

Agency: Weber Shandwick Job Function: Media Job Subfunction: Earned Media Job Description: Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global communications agency – we’re an engagement agency. Our success is built on a deep commitment to our clients, our people, creativity, collaboration and engaging stakeholders in new and bold ways to build brand reputation and drive business results.    Our Toronto office is looking for a Director, Integrated Media —a strategic, vision-driven communications leader responsible for driving integrated media strategies, providing high-level client counsel, and managing major client accounts. In this role, you will lead cross-functional teams to shape cultural conversations for iconic consumer brands in Canada, bringing creative stories to life and executing high-energy consumer events.

You are a seasoned media strategist, client partner, and team leader who thrives at the intersection of culture, news, and brand purpose. You know how to elevate earned-first creative concepts into multi-channel campaigns that command attention and drive measurable business impact on lifestyle and food & beverage brands. Driven by a deep passion for the digital landscape, you bring an intuitive understanding of social media dynamics, modern influencer strategies, and creator relations to the table. You possess a deep understanding of today's complex stakeholder dynamics and bring a nuanced perspective on how brands build trust with consumers, creators, media, and corporate stakeholders alike. If you are an inspiring mentor, a passionate builder of client relationships, and a champion of brave, culturally resonant storytelling, we want to hear from you.

Strategic Integrated Media & Campaign Leadership Lead the overarching earned media strategy for our clients, specifically in the lifestyle and food & beverage space.  You will help to design integration across paid and earned media, inclusive of traditional media, emerging media (e.g., Substack), and social media, by creating programming built to be shared and amplified across platforms. Craft strategies and narratives that resonate with the clients’ audiences, guiding their brand’s voice through trend cycles, and major cultural conversations.   Bring a deep obsession of social media, creator culture, and influencer relations to drive modern strategies that turn cultural moments into high-impact brand success. Generate a consistent pipeline of story ideas, draft engaging media materials, and proactively pitch to land high-impact earned coverage, leveraging your network of media and influencer contacts. Counsel on brand reputation, media landscapes and crisis communications. Client and IAT Collaboration Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business and objectives, working collaboratively with strategists and creative teams to deliver innovative solutions. Work with members of an IAT to ensure collaboration between media, PR and marketing agencies and clients, and bring an earned-first perspective to the work. Talent Leadership, Coaching & DEI Directly manage, mentor, and coach a team of media professionals. Serve as a role model and guide for junior team members, helping to develop their skills and drive results. Champion an inclusive, collaborative team dynamic that embraces diverse perspectives, actively participating in agency DE&I initiatives and inclusive hiring practices. Operational & Financial Management Oversee major account budgets, staffing allocations, fee projections, and SOW developments to ensure program profitability, prevent scope creep, and optimize agency resource utilization. Establish comprehensive campaign KPIs and frameworks that measure earned media impact against overarching client business objectives.

Lifestyle and Food & Beverage Expertise: Deep understanding of consumer & lifestyle affairs (brand storytelling, consumer media relations, trend integration,