Associate Media Manager (Retail Media Planning)

VML; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in advertising services seeks an Associate Media Manager in Chicago. This role focuses on retail media planning and will allow you to collaborate with cross-functional teams while supporting media strategies across key retailers. Ideal for an entry-level candidate eager to grow in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage

401k match

Paid time off offerings

Growth-oriented opportunities

Qualifications

• Interest in consumer behaviors and shopping decisions.
• Experience in media planning or marketing preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support media planning and execution of campaigns.
• Compile research and analyze demographics for media strategies.
• Assist in developing media plans and negotiating with vendors.

Skills

Consumer Behavior

Attention to Detail

Team Collaboration

Communication

Education

0-1 years of experience

Internships highly preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Nielsen

Google AdWords

Job description

Who We Are

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Who We Are

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate Media Manager to join our Omnichannel Retail Media Team. In this role, you will be instrumental in supporting a large CPG client's retail media planning efforts, contributing to the planning and execution of media strategies across key retailers. You will work within Retail Media Networks (RMNs) to plan and buy media, analyze target demographics, and collaborate with cross-functional teammates across account management, project management, strategy, and creative to support end-to-end campaign work. This is an excellent opportunity for an entry-level candidate with a passion for consumer behavior, retail media, and a desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do

• Support the Media team with general activities related to retail media planning, buying, executing, and evaluating the performance of media campaigns.
• Assist in planning and strategizing media efforts across key retailers, leveraging Retail Media Networks (RMNs).
• Contribute to the development of media plans/flowcharts and presentations.
• Compile research and analyze target demographics to inform media planning decisions.
• Work with cross-functional teams (account management, project management, strategy, creative) to ensure seamless campaign execution.
• Assist in negotiating proposals with vendors.
• Compile reports and analyze campaign performance data.
• Audit delivery/vendor invoices.
• Develop case studies showcasing successful retail media campaigns.
• Learn new skills and tools quickly to stay up-to-date with the evolving retail media landscape.
  
  

Who You Are

• You have a strong interest in consumer behaviors and understanding what drives purchasing decisions.
• You are curious about the world of retail media and shopper marketing.
• You are collaborative and enjoy working as part of a team.
• You are detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• You are proactive and eager to learn.
• You possess strong communication skills.
• You have the ability to work well under pressure with attention to detail.
• You have a passion for and interest in digital and emerging media.
  
  

What You'll Need

• 0-1 years of experience, internships highly preferred, ideally with exposure to media planning, advertising, and marketing from coursework or internships
• Familiarity with ad serving and digital media reporting.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with media tools such as Nielsen, comScore, MRI, SQAD, SRDS, DoubleClick and Google AdWords (a plus).
  
  

Ability to maintain good relationships with outside vendors and clients as well as within the agency

What We Offer

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
  
  

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

_

$35,000—$75,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram,LinkedIn, andX.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing and Sales

• Industries

  Advertising Services

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