Data Strategy Director FTC

An exciting opportunity to lead data strategy for one of the UK’s largest and most data-rich telecommunications accounts.

The client is highly engaged, technically sophisticated and willing to test new ideas, creating genuine scope to deliver industry-first work across audience strategy, AI, advanced bidding and privacy-first media. You will lead complex projects, influence senior stakeholders and manage an established data strategy team.

You’ll have at least six years’ experience in a data-led digital media role within an agency, technology business, vendor or advertiser, with strong knowledge of paid media, audience strategy and data-driven activation.

Company and benefits

• Join the specialist data and technology division of a major global media network.
• Lead data strategy across several well-known consumer telecommunications brands.
• Work with a progressive client that actively champions innovation and experimentation.
• Deliver high-profile projects with the potential to create agency and industry firsts.
• Access advanced audience data, technology, AI capabilities and specialist engineering teams.
• Work across a broad, collaborative team spanning strategy, transformation, planning and activation.
• Manage and develop an established team across Associate Director, Manager and Associate levels.
• Fixed-term contract with a required start date no later than January 2027.

Role and responsibilities

• Lead the development of data-led audience and bidding strategies across paid media.
• Use the client’s extensive data and technology ecosystem to identify new testing and activation opportunities.
• Create strategic recommendations across addressable media channels and ensure activity is measurable and methodical.
• Own key technology and data workstreams, including advanced clean-room and cloud-based marketing solutions.
• Lead the development and evolution of the client’s paid media audience approach and playbook.
• Bring together client data, agency technology, AI capabilities and specialist partners to create innovative solutions.
• Translate between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring projects remain aligned with commercial and marketing objectives.
• Identify future data signals and products that could improve targeting, bidding and campaign effectiveness.
• Work closely with embedded engineering, technology consulting and media activation teams.
• Oversee the quality of work produced by the wider data strategy team and remove barriers to delivery.
• Help accelerate the practical adoption of AI across the account.

Skills and experience required

• At least six years’ experience in a data-led digital media role within an agency, technology business, vendor or advertiser.
• Strong knowledge of paid media, audience strategy and data-driven activation.
• Experience using data and technology to improve campaign planning, targeting, bidding or measurement.
• Confidence managing senior clients and multiple stakeholders within a complex matrixed environment.
• Ability to turn technical concepts into clear, commercially relevant recommendations.
• A strong understanding of data products, AI and emerging advertising technology.
• Knowledge of privacy-first media and how changing data availability affects audience strategy.
• Previous experience managing or developing data strategy, media or technology specialists.
• Strong presentation, relationship-building and project leadership skills.
• Telecommunications experience would be beneficial but is not essential.