Executive Director, Partnerships - CREO

Omnicom Media US•Chicago, IL

7d•$150,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Partnerships is a strategic leadership position within CREO, Omnicom Media's flagship influencer agency. This role is responsible for driving enterprise-level business development and partner management across the entire Omnicom ecosystem—integrating CREO's influencer capabilities with Omnicom Media planning, Omnicom Creative, and Omnicom Commerce & Services. The Executive Director serves as the principal architect of integrated influencer strategies, positioning influencer marketing as a core media channel across the Omnicom holding company, while securing transformational partnership opportunities with marquee clients and brands. This role requires exceptional strategic vision and the ability to orchestrate complex, cross-holding company pitches and executions. The Executive Director acts as a trusted advisor to C-suite stakeholders across CREO, Omnicom Media, and partner agencies, ensuring influencer capabilities are seamlessly integrated into broader media and marketing strategies. This role is critical to revenue generation, market leadership positioning, and establishing influencer marketing as a foundational channel alongside traditional media at CREO and across the Omnicom portfolio.

Requirements

Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen, with demonstrated ability to identify and articulate value in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Proven track record of securing and closing enterprise-level partnerships and multi-million dollar revenue deals
Deep expertise in influencer marketing, digital media, and creator ecosystems, with demonstrated ability to translate this into compelling client value propositions
Demonstrated excellence in navigating complex organizational structures; ability to influence and align stakeholders across multiple departments and holding companies
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of presenting to C-suite executives and driving strategic decision-making
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally, with genuine credibility and trusted advisor status
Analytical rigor combined with creative problem-solving; ability to make data-informed strategic decisions in ambiguous situations
High degree of ownership, initiative, and follow-through; ability to drive complex initiatives to completion with minimal supervision
Cultural awareness and sensitivity; ability to lead with integrity and authenticity while representing CREO and Omnicom at the highest levels
12+ years of progressive experience in media, advertising, marketing services, or related fields, with minimum 7+ years in senior business development, partnerships, or P&L leadership roles
Minimum 5+ years of direct influencer marketing industry experience, with deep knowledge of creator economy, platform mechanics, and influencer campaign execution
Proven success leading enterprise sales, partnerships, or business development for Fortune 500 clients and/or complex B2B marketing services
Demonstrated experience managing relationships across multiple stakeholders in holding company or agency network environments
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)
Established network within influencer marketing, media, and advertising industries
Experience positioning and selling integrated marketing solutions across multiple service lines or holding companies

Nice To Haves

Experience working within or leading teams at a major holding company network
Track record of building and scaling new business lines or market segments
Experience with emerging platforms, creator monetization, or Web3/metaverse marketing opportunities
Background in commerce, retail, or performance marketing
P&L management experience with accountability for multi-million dollar revenue targets

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise-level business development initiatives targeting Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, with focus on multi-million dollar integrated campaigns and strategic partnerships
Develop and execute go-to-market strategies that position CREO as the premier influencer marketing partner within integrated Omnicom campaigns
Establish and nurture strategic relationships with C-suite executives, CMOs, and media directors at key client organizations
Own P&L responsibility for partnerships portfolio, setting aggressive revenue targets and ensuring execution against commercial objectives
Identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities where influencer marketing can drive transformational business outcomes for clients
Architect integrated solutions leveraging CREO influencer capabilities alongside Omnicom Media planning, buying, creative, and commerce services
Serve as executive liaison to OM leadership, Omnicom agencies, and cross-holding company stakeholders to ensure cohesive partnership strategies
Develop and manage complex pitch processes and RFP responses that showcase the full power of integrated Omnicom solutions
Build scalable frameworks for cross-holding company collaboration, ensuring seamless handoffs and integrated campaign execution
Create internal positioning and go-to-market materials that position CREO as an essential component of Omnicom's media and marketing ecosystem
Lead pitch teams across multiple Omnicom entities, ensuring unified messaging, aligned pricing, and cohesive value propositions
Cultivate and expand relationships with platform partners (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, ), representing the collective influence and scale of Omnicom's influencer capabilities
Develop strategic alliances with complementary service providers, technology partners, and industry stakeholders to enhance service offerings
Build and maintain a robust network of agency, brand, and creator stakeholders, leveraging these relationships to drive new business and innovation
Identify partnership opportunities within the Omnicom ecosystem that unlock additional revenue streams and competitive advantages
Maintain deep expertise in the evolving influencer and creator marketing landscape, identifying trends that create competitive advantages for clients and CREO
Lead thought leadership initiatives positioning CREO as an industry innovator in influencer marketing, creator economics, and integrated channel strategies
Champion best practices across the organization, ensuring service offerings remain at the forefront of industry standards for measurement, compliance, and effectiveness
Collaborate with internal innovation teams to develop proprietary tools, methodologies, and frameworks that differentiate CREO in the marketplace
Communicate market insights and strategic recommendations to executive leadership to inform long-term business direction and investment priorities
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing partnerships team, establishing a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
Set strategic direction and performance expectations for the partnerships function, driving alignment with CREO and Omnicom Media objectives
Foster cross-functional collaboration with Creator Activation, Account Management, Strategy, Measurement, and Commerce teams to ensure integrated excellence
Develop client-facing talent within the organization, identifying and cultivating future leaders in business development and partnership management