Director, Brand Activation

HARMAN International • Novi, MI

4d • Remote

About The Position

As the Director, Brand Activation, this role provides strategic leadership and direction across multiple teams, guiding People Leaders in the execution of cross-disciplinary brand activation initiatives for HARMAN Lifestyle Marketing. The position is central to shaping global frameworks, content, social media, and partnership strategies—ensuring consistent and effective brand execution across all markets. The Brand Activation Director actively contributes to the development of long-term activation frameworks, processes, and standards, and is accountable for the financial performance and results across multiple teams and disciplines. This leader drives the resolution of complex business challenges in support of Brand growth and financial targets, and ensures alignment with overarching organizational priorities and strategies. This role will report to the Executive Director, Brand Strategy and Activation. This role will have six direct reports: Director, Marketing Content; Manager, Marketing Web Content & Strategy; Director, Marketing Culture and Partnerships; Director, Group Social Media; and Manager, Agency Operations and Asset Manager; Professional Audio/Lighting Events Manager

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in brand activation, marketing, or related disciplines, including proven experience leading diverse, cross-functional teams at a director level or above.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to lead through subordinate managers and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Deep expertise in developing global frameworks for integrated marketing, social media, partnerships, and content creation.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale brand campaigns and partnerships with a focus on measurable results and financial performance.
• In-depth understanding of digital content strategy, social media platforms, and asset management tools.
• Strong commercial acumen and broad industry knowledge, with the ability to apply insights to drive operational and financial outcomes.
• Advanced negotiation skills and experience managing complex external agency and partner relationships.
• Ability to resolve highly complex business challenges and contribute to the development of long-term strategic plans.

Nice To Haves

• International experience and a global mindset are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Global Frameworks & Guidelines Create and implement comprehensive systems, templates, and processes for integrated executional planning, social media, partnerships, and content creation to standardize best practices globally. Lead cross-functional initiatives to ensure best practice sharing and adoption across regions and divisions.
• Content Leadership Oversee development and production of globally relevant communication materials to ensure consistent brand execution across diverse markets. Champion the creation of high-quality content that strengthens brand positioning and advances business objectives.
• Web & Editorial Content Ownership Own and curate the ideal experience and editorial content for the .com platform and evergreen communication assets. Drive continuous improvement of digital content to enhance user engagement and brand affinity.
• Global Social Media Capability Design and build the organization’s global social media capability, developing playbooks covering content pillars, tone of voice, and community management best practices. Create and maintain the global social media calendar and oversee production of relevant, impactful content for social platforms.
• Culture & Partnerships Strategy Define global partnership strategies, negotiate and manage high-impact global partnerships, and establish criteria and terms to guide regional execution. Ensure partnerships align with brand values and contribute to cultural relevance and growth objectives.
• Professional Events and Trade Shows Oversee team planning and executing global fleets, trade shows, and events for various professional brands
• Asset & Agency Management Oversee global agency relationships and manage centralized asset platforms, ensuring regions have access to high-quality, consistent, and up-to-date content. Implement processes for effective asset management, distribution, usage tracking, and quality control.
• Leadership & Strategy Provide leadership and direction through subordinate People Leaders and managers. Contribute to and help develop long-term functional/operational strategy, and translate into actionable annual business plans. Drive financial performance and operational excellence through advanced commercial awareness and industry knowledge. Resolve complex or unusual business problems with advanced critical thinking and strategic decision-making skills. Ensure broad impact on functional, divisional, or regional results by aligning initiatives with organization’s strategic priorities. Collaborates and negotiates with senior leaders across functions to optimize brand activation impact across content, culture, partnerships, and social media.

Benefits

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed