Associate Director, Creative Strategy

Future Publishing Open · verified Sep 18, 2026

On-site New York Full-time Director Creative

Leadership Creative role at Future Publishing. New York · full-time · $100,000–$120,000 base.

SalaryStated by Future Publishing

$100,000 – $120,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

This role, from Future PublishingOur estimate for the market: $150,000–$212,500

Below the market median of $175,000 for lead creative roles in New York.

Worked out from 73 postings that stated pay, median $175,000. Last updated Sep 18, 2026.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Lead custom proposals and proactive opportunities across Future’s brands and categories
Run pre-sale work end to end, from brainstorms and RFPs through decks and client pitches
Turn audience insight and cultural trends into cross-platform marketing solutions
Build commercial packages across video, social, creators, newsletters, experiential, audio, and emerging platforms
Shape go-to-market stories and tentpole programs that set Future apart

What you bring

Bring at least six years in integrated marketing, branded content, media, advertising, or creative strategy
Show experience building strategic programs across several consumer categories
Know digital, social, video, creator, experiential, and commerce marketing ecosystems
Manage competing high-priority projects while working effectively with teams and senior stakeholders
Present and communicate clearly, with platform-native storytelling experience across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok

Who this fits

You’ll fit this role if you can combine audience insight, editorial understanding, and commercial thinking into branded content proposals. You’ll work closely with sales, creative, editorial, video, production, media planning, and client success while remaining part of the separate creative strategy function. This is a hybrid New York role requiring two days in the office.

From the employer

Who We Are

We're Future, a global leader in specialist media. Our people bring our trusted brands to life, helping millions of people discover expert content that informs, inspires, and drives action. As a pioneering multi-platform media powerhouse, we provide expert content and technology that build valuable communities across all channels.

Description

This role sits within our Creative Strategy team and works closely with both Media Planning and Client Success, while remaining a distinct function from those teams.

As Associate Director, Creative Strategy, you will lead the strategic development of custom integrated marketing proposals for some of the world's leading brands, partnering closely with sales, creative, editorial, video, and production teams to build insight-driven, commercially compelling programs across Future's portfolio.

You'll operate across a diverse range of categories—including tech, retail, CPG, auto, and more—bringing together audience insights, editorial authority, cultural trends, and client objectives to develop innovative cross-platform marketing solutions. Beyond responding to briefs, you'll help shape scalable franchises, go-to-market narratives, and commercial opportunities that drive growth for both advertisers and Future.

What You'll Do

You will report into the Executive Director, Creative Strategy.

Lead the strategic development of custom client proposals, proactive opportunities, and presentation collateral across our portfolio of brands and verticals.
Own the pre-sale process from end to end, partnering with cross-functional leads to guide brainstorms, RFP development, deck creation, proposal refinement, and client pitches.
Translate audience insights and cultural trends into innovative, insight-based marketing solutions.
Build strategic commercial packages spanning video, social media, creator campaigns, newsletter, experiential activations, audio and emerging platforms.
Shape go-to-market narratives and tentpole opportunities to strengthen marketplace differentiation.
Bring experience within commerce-driven categories and a strong understanding of how audiences shop, discover products, and engage with brands across platforms.
Develop integrated 360 opportunities with platform-native storytelling that seamlessly blends client objectives with editorial brand DNA.
This role sits on our creative strategy team, working closely with media planners and the client success team, but is not on those teams.

What You’ll Bring

6+ years of experience in integrated marketing, branded content strategy, media, advertising, or creative strategy
Experience developing strategic marketing programs across multiple consumer categories
Proven ability to craft compelling pre-sale proposals combining insights, strategy, and commercial thinking
Strong knowledge of digital, social, video, creator, experiential, and commerce marketing ecosystems
Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment
Team-oriented mindset with a track record of shaping strategic narratives for senior stakeholders
Familiarity with audience development, content monetization, and shaping recurring content formats
Excellent storytelling, presentation, and communication skills.
Experience developing social-first and video-first branded content.
Strong understanding of platform-native storytelling across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and emerging media.

What We Offer

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
401k plus a company match
Uncapped leave, because we trust you to manage your workload and time
When we hit our targets, enjoy a share of our profits with a bonus
Refer a friend and get rewarded when they join Future
Well-being support with access to our Colleague Assistant Programs
Opportunity to purchase shares in Future with our Share Incentive Plan

The expected range for this role is $100,000 - $120,000.

This is a hybrid role, working two days from the New York office.

Internal job family level Commercial 4

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is central to who we are. We believe different perspectives spark new ideas, fuel creativity, and drive innovation. That's why we're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

We're dedicated to fair and inclusive hiring practices and welcome talent from all backgrounds, because diverse teams build stronger futures.

Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments.