Hybrid Context Director, Media & Cultural Strategy

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.

• Lead integrated communications and cultural strategy across all McDonald’s AACM work streams, translating business objectives into full-funnel channel architecture and campaign systems
• Own annual and campaign-level Strat Pack 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

• 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

• 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

• Experience working on QSR and/or large-scale retail brands
• Experience with in 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

United Masters Inc. represents the creative solutions company, Translation, and the leading software and services platform for independent creators, United Masters. United Masters enables ownership, exposure, and new paths for financial return for independent creators, while Translation helps brands leverage the power of contemporary culture to achieve transformational growth. Combined, United Masters, Inc. is the world’s leading marketplace for cultural capital, connecting independent artists and brands to realize a future…