Media Strategy Director

Merkle Italia; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Merkle Italia in Amsterdam seeks a Media Strategy Director to accelerate media transformation and drive excellence across global markets. You will lead strategic partnerships with major media platforms, shape best practices, and enable governance and capability building to support growth.

This 6-month fixed-term contract (with potential to extend) requires 8+ years in media, international experience, and strong leadership to guide cross-functional teams and drive data-led planning across global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years’ experience in media, marketing, or communications roles.
• Experience within FMCG, consumer goods, lifestyle, or global brand-led organisations preferred.
• Experience operating within international or matrixed organisations.

Responsibilities

• Global Media Transformation & Operating Model: support transformation agenda and align across global, regional, local markets.
• Strategic Media Partnerships: lead JBPs with global media partners and oversee forecasting and performance.
• Media Excellence & Capability Building: develop and embed governance, playbooks, and training materials.
• Global Media Community Leadership: build relationships with stakeholders and lead knowledge-sharing forums.
• Agency Management & Governance: partner with global media agencies and governance processes.
• Team Leadership: coach and develop direct reports and wider media community.

Skills

Media planning

Digital ecosystems

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Governance

Agency management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing

Job description

## Media Strategy DirectorApply: Amsterdam: Full time: Posted Today: R1132440**Job Description:**The Global Media Director will play a critical role in accelerating media transformation and driving media excellence across global and local markets. This role will lead strategic partnerships with key media platforms and agency partners, shape global media best practices, and enable operational excellence through governance, capability building, and performance-led planning. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking, strong stakeholder influence, and deep media expertise to help embed a future-fit media operating model that delivers growth, effectiveness, and innovation across the business. *\\*This is a 6 month contract role with the possibility to lead to permanent for the right candidate* **Key Responsibilities:** ## ***Global Media Transformation & Operating Mo*****del** * Support the delivery of the evolving global media operating model and transformation agenda, including ATL2.0 and AP27 planning priorities.* Drive alignment between global, regional, and local market media ways of working.* Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure media strategy supports broader brand and commerce objectives. ## ***Strategic Media Partnerships*** * Lead and strengthen Joint Business Partnerships (JBPs) with key global media partners including Meta, Google, and Teads, in partnership with agency teams.* Identify opportunities to unlock innovation, added value, learning, and competitive advantage through strategic partnerships.* Oversee investment forecasting, tracking, and performance optimisation through research, testing, and data-led planning. ## ***Media Excellence & Capability Building*** * Develop and embed global media best practice frameworks, governance standards, playbooks, and training materials.* Lead the global media learning agenda to strengthen capability across markets.* Partner with local OpCo teams to drive implementation and adoption of media fundamentals and best practices.* Act as a key point of contact and advisor for Media Council OpCos. ## ***Global Media Community Leadershi*****p** * Build strong relationships with local and regional media stakeholders to understand market nuances and priorities.* Curate and lead global media community forums, inspiration sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.* Foster collaboration and connectivity across the global media network. ## ***Agency Management & Governanc*****e** * Partner with the global media agency network to drive consistency, quality, and effectiveness.* Work closely with Global Procurement on agency governance, including audits, PRIP processes, and Statements of Work (SOWs).* Embed best practice operating models and ways of working across agency partners. ## ***Team Leadership*** * Provide coaching, development, and leadership support to direct reports and wider media community members.* Contribute to building a high-performing, collaborative, and future-focused media culture. **Experience & Qualifications** * Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, or related field.* 8+ years’ experience in media, marketing, or communications roles, either client-side or agency-side.* Strong experience within FMCG, consumer goods, lifestyle, or global brand-led organisations preferred.* Experience operating within international or matrixed organisations. **Skills & Expertise** ## ***Media & Digital Expertise*** * Strong understanding of media planning across global, regional, and/or local markets.* Deep knowledge of digital media ecosystems and leading global platforms including Meta and Google.* Experience using data, analytics, and measurement frameworks to drive media effectiveness and optimisation.* Understanding of media governance, agency management, and operational best practices. ## ***Stakeholder & Leadership Capabilit*****y** * Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple levels and functions.* Ability to navigate complexity and drive alignment across diverse global markets.* Excellent communication and presentation skills.* Strong project leadership and execution capabilities. ## ***Personal Attribute*****s** * Strategic thinker with a proactive, self-starting mindset.* Agile, adaptable, and comfortable operating in fast-changing environments.* Collaborative and relationship-oriented, with the ability to influence without authority.* Passionate about media innovation, capability building, and continuous improvement.**Location:**Amsterdam**Brand:****Time Type:**Full time**Contract Type:**Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)