Temporary Business Director

UMT - Internal•New York, NY

8h•$114,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Temporary Business Director to join Translation! As a Business Director, you will serve as a strategic leader and trusted client partner, deeply invested in understanding your clients’ business challenges and uncovering opportunities to solve them through innovative, culturally attuned creative solutions. You’ll cultivate strong, proactive client relationships, guide cross-functional teams, and drive initiatives that deliver measurable business impact. With Program Management leading operational excellence, you will focus on shaping strategic agendas, fostering growth, and ensuring our work drives tangible results for both the client and agency. This role is based in Brooklyn, New York with four days in-office and one day remote.

Requirements

Deep understanding of the QSR or restaurant category, with an appreciation for cultural nuances that inform creative strategies.
Experience leading multicultural or African American targeted work
Strong business acumen with the ability to quickly grasp client industry dynamics and uncover opportunities for impactful creative solutions.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the confidence to provide strategic counsel to clients and inspire internal teams.
Demonstrated experience leading integrated work across multiple channels, with a strong sense for how creative and strategic solutions drive business results.
A proactive, hands-on approach with the optimism and resilience to tackle challenges and move work forward.
Passion for culturally relevant work that delivers against both business objectives and consumer engagement.
Proven track record of leading creative initiatives that drove real business change or results for clients
7–10 years of experience in an agency or communications-related industry, with a well-rounded understanding of advertising, marketing, media, creative, production, and agency finance.
Proven success managing the end-to-end lifecycle of integrated campaigns, engaging with mid-to-senior-level clients, and leading cross-functional teams.
Hands-on production experience with large-scale, multi-channel initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with QSR brands. Culturally driven brand experience is also a plus.
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Act as the day-to-day senior business lead on assigned accounts, serving as a strategic partner who uncovers and addresses core client challenges and opportunities.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with mid-to-senior client stakeholders, proactively offering strategic counsel rooted in a deep understanding of their business, category, and competitive dynamics.
Partner closely with Program Management to align on priorities and ensure our collective approach delivers on both business objectives and operational rigor.
Keep a constant pulse on the health of client relationships and business performance, identifying risks or growth opportunities early and collaborating with agency leadership to proactively address them.
Collaborate with Strategy, Creative, and other internal teams to ensure our work solves real business problems and capitalizes on cultural opportunities.
Champion the development of strategies and creative solutions that are grounded in business insights and tied to clear performance metrics.
Stay ahead of industry trends and cultural shifts to bring fresh, informed thinking that drives innovative solutions for clients.
Partner with production leads, creative teams and program management to execute creative work that fully brings to life the approved creative concepts within the allocated time and budget
Advocate for additional budget and or push the boundaries with clients to create the most compelling executions possible
Guide and inspire cross-discipline partners, fostering a culture of strategic curiosity, accountability, and partnership excellence.
Work hand-in-hand with Program Management, who will lead the operational planning, scoping, budgeting, and executional excellence—freeing you to focus on driving the business agenda and strategic growth.
Together with Program Management, ensure seamless integration across disciplines, maintaining the highest standards in client service and delivery.
Proactively identify opportunities to grow agency partnerships within existing accounts, aligning agency capabilities with the client’s long-term business goals. Responsible for creating and actioning growth plans for assigned clients
Play a key role in broader business development efforts, participating in pitches and strategic growth initiatives.