Director, Influencer & Creator Strategy (Contract)

This is a contract position starting immediately, with the potential to convert to full-time based on performance. We are seeking a Director, Influencer & Creator Strategy to support and help lead influencer and creator work across 5W’s growing agency. This role is ideal for an experienced influencer marketer who is ready to take on a meaningful leadership role—independently leading client workstreams and programs while partnering with senior Influencer, Digital, and PR leadership on broader strategy and agency initiatives. The Director will play a key role in bringing influencer and creator strategies to life, overseeing programs from planning through execution and measurement, and helping ensure consistently strong work across clients. They will serve as a trusted partner to account teams and clients, manage and mentor junior team members, and contribute to the continued growth and evolution of 5W’s influencer and creator capabilities. Here’s What You’ll Be Doing Influencer & Creator Strategy Independently lead assigned influencer and creator workstreams, developing strategies and recommendations aligned with client objectivesTranslate client briefs, audience insights, cultural trends, and platform behaviors into thoughtful creator strategies and program approachesPartner with senior Influencer, Digital, and PR leadership on the development of integrated influencer and creator programsHelp apply and evolve agency frameworks, processes, playbooks, and best practices across client workBring forward emerging creator trends, platforms, partnership models, and opportunities that can strengthen client programsCollaborate with PR, social, paid media, creative, and other teams to ensure influencer is effectively integrated into broader communications programs Client & Program Leadership Serve as a day-to-day lead for assigned influencer and creator programs, building strong relationships with clients and internal account teamsLead client conversations, presentations, and recommendations related to influencer strategy and program executionOversee programs from planning and creator identification through outreach, negotiation, content development, activation, and reportingProvide strategic guidance and solutions throughout the lifecycle of a program, escalating to senior leadership when appropriateEnsure work is strategically sound, creatively strong, and aligned with client objectives and expectationsUse program performance and insights to identify opportunities for optimization and inform future recommendations Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration Manage and mentor junior and mid-level team members, providing clear direction, feedback, and supportDelegate effectively while maintaining accountability for the quality and timely delivery of assigned workstreamsSupport the development of team members across creator relations, program management, strategy, measurement, and client serviceAct as a knowledgeable resource for PR account teams, helping them navigate influencer and creator opportunities and program needsContribute to a collaborative, solutions-oriented team culture Operational Excellence Oversee the day-to-day management of assigned programs, ensuring work is delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with agency standardsMaintain strong oversight of program details, timelines, deliverables, creator relationships, and internal workflowsHelp ensure consistent use of agency processes, tools, and measurement approaches across assigned accountsProactively identify challenges and solve problems, bringing in senior leadership when additional guidance or escalation is neededStay current on industry shifts, platform updates, creator trends, and evolving best practices Here’s What You Have 6-8+ years of experience in influencer marketing, creator strategy, social media, digital marketing, or integrated communications, with meaningful hands-on influencer experienceAgency experience preferred, with experience managing multiple clients, programs, and prioritiesDemonstrated ability to independently lead influencer and creator workstreams while collaborating effectively with senior leadership and cross-functional teamsStrong understanding of the influencer and creator program lifecycle, including strategy, creator identification and vetting, outreach, negotiation, contracting, content development, activation, and measurementStrong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate client objectives, audience insights, and cultural trends into actionable recommendationsExperience leading client conversations and presenting strategies, recommendations, and resultsStrong project and program management skills, with the ability to oversee complex workstreams, timelines, budgets, and multiple stakeholdersExperience managing or mentoring junior team members and providing clear direction and feedbackAbility to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and attention to detailExperience supporting new business pitches and developing influencer or creator recommendationsWorking knowledge of influencer measurement, reporting, and how to translate program performance into meaningful insights