Associate Client Director, Social & Influencer

About Edelman 

Edelman is a global communications firm built on the belief that earned attention drives real impact. We help some of the world’s most ambitious brands earn trust, relevance and connection through ideas that live at the intersection of culture, media and technology. 

In Australia, our Social & Influencer team sits at the centre of this approach — bringing together strategists, creatives, media specialists and storytellers to deliver work that is social by design and earned at its core. 

We believe the best ideas don’t interrupt — they participate in culture, spark conversation and inspire action. 

Role Overview 

We’re looking for an Associate Client Director to lead one of our most exciting global sporting briefs, sitting at the heart of culture, fandom and real-time conversation. 

This role is designed for a social-first leader — someone who understands how audiences behave, how content travels, and how to turn moments into momentum. You’ll lead the development of a dynamic, always-on social ecosystem while orchestrating high-impact campaign moments that cut through at scale. 

As a senior leader in the Social & Influencer team, you’ll combine strategic thinking, creative instinct and operational excellence to deliver work that earns attention, drives engagement and delivers measurable impact — grounded in Edelman’s earned-first, integrated approach. 

You’ll also play a critical role in bringing together teams across Edelman Australia, ensuring seamless, integrated delivery across markets, disciplines and time-sensitive moments. 

What You’ll Do 

Build the Social Engine 

• Develop and lead a 12–18 month social ecosystem strategy spanning hero moments and always-on content 

• Define channel roles across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and emerging platforms 

• Create frameworks that allow content to scale, flex and respond in real time 

• Ensure everything we do is culturally relevant, insight-led and built to travel 

Lead Creator & Influencer Strategy 

• Own the end-to-end creator ecosystem — from strategy and selection through to contracting and optimisation 

• Build meaningful partnerships with creators that feel authentic and culturally connected 

• Continuously refine approach based on performance, platform shifts and audience behaviour 

Drive Content Excellence 

• Oversee content calendars, production and approvals across a fast-paced, high-volume environment 

• Ensure content is platform-native, creatively strong and delivered at pace 

• Lead real-time content planning around key moments, reacting quickly and confidently when opportunities arise 

Stay Ahead of Culture 

• Bring a deep understanding of platform nuance and social behaviour 

• Spot trends early and know when (and how) to act 

• Lead thinking on community engagement, participation and conversation 

• Build strategies that turn passive audiences into active fans 

Integrate Paid, Owned & Earned 

• Partner with media teams to deliver smart paid amplification strategies 

• Ensure content is optimised for performance across all channels 

• Connect the dots between paid, owned and earned to maximise impact 

Lead Clients with Confidence 

• Act as a trusted senior advisor, providing clear, strategic counsel 

• Bring calm, confident leadership in high-pressure, real-time environments 

• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and guide decision-making 

Lead Teams & Collaboration 

• Lead a team of managers, executives and external creators 

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture 

• Coordinate seamlessly with Edelman teams across Australia to deliver integrated work 

• Coach and develop talent across all levels 

Measure What Matters 

• Own reporting across engagement, share of voice, conversion and sentiment 

• Turn data into actionable insights and optimisation strategies 

• Clearly demonstrate the impact of social and influencer activity 

What You Bring 

- 10+ years’ experience across social, digital or integrated communications 

- Proven experience leading large-scale social and influencer campaigns 

- Deep expertise across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and emerging platforms 

- Strong track record building and managing creator ecosystems 

- Experience working in fast-paced, reactive or live environments 

- Excellent client leadership and presentation skills 

- Strong commercial mindset and delivery discipline 

- Calm under pressure, decisive and solutions-focused 

- A genuine passion for culture, sport and social storytelling 

Why This Role is Different 

- You’ll be working at the centre of a global cultural moment 

- The work is always-on, fast-moving and highly visible 

- Success depends on speed, instinct and precision 

- You’ll shape how fans experience and engage in real time 

- You’ll lead a truly integrated, national team effort