Chief Media Officer

Schafer Condon Carter (SCC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings

Health coverage

FSA programs

Voluntary benefits

Flex time off

Hybrid work environment

Wellness credit

Job summary

Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) seeks an experienced Chief Media Officer to lead the agency's media practice. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will shape strategy, build high-performing teams, and drive growth across traditional and digital channels.

You will partner with the CEO and leaders to oversee planning, investment, and performance while expanding client partnerships and new business opportunities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading media strategy across traditional and digital channels.
• Proven ability to build and scale a media practice within an agency.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and driving business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term vision and strategy for SCC's media practice with growth and innovation.
• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and shape agency strategy.
• Lead and develop a high-performing media team and foster a growth culture.
• Oversee media planning, buying, investment, and performance across channels.
• Provide strategic counsel to clients and lead agency pitches and RFPs.
• Establish scalable processes, budgets, and operational excellence.
• Cultivate relationships with media partners and technology platforms.

Skills

Media leadership

Integrated media

Executive leadership

Budget management

Team development

Strategic planning

RFP leadership

Performance analytics

Industry networking

Emerging tech

AI in media

Partnership development

Thought leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

About the Opportunity: SCC is seeking an experienced, visionary Chief Media Officer to lead and accelerate one of the agency's fastest growing service lines. This leader will partner across disciplines to deliver impactful client results while ensuring the agency remains at the forefront of an ever evolving media landscape.

Over the past several years, Media has become a core strategic capability at SCC, driving growth for our clients and serving as a key contributor to the agency's continued success. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Media Officer will have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the practice, building on a strong foundation while defining the strategy, structure, and capabilities needed to fuel the next phase of growth.

This role is ideal for a collaborative, entrepreneurial leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, developing talent, strengthening client partnerships, and driving new business. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with operational excellence and bring a passion for creating innovative, integrated media solutions that help clients and the agency succeed.

What You'll Do

• Define and execute the long-term vision and strategy for SCC's media practice, ensuring continued growth, innovation, and market leadership
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, partnering with the CEO and agency leaders to shape agency strategy and drive business performance
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing media team while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented culture
• Build the organizational structure, capabilities, and talent strategy needed to support the continued expansion of the media practice
• Oversee integrated media strategy, planning, buying, investment, and performance across traditional and digital channels
• Provide executive-level strategic counsel to clients, serving as a trusted advisor and escalation point for key accounts
• Lead the media strategy for agency pitches, RFPs, and business development initiatives while identifying opportunities to expand existing client partnerships
• Establish operational best practices, scalable processes, and financial stewardship that support client success and agency profitability
• Cultivate strategic relationships with media partners, publishers, and technology platforms
• Champion innovation by evaluating emerging media trends, AI capabilities, measurement solutions, and evolving technologies that create value for clients and the agency
• Represent SCC as a thought leader within the media industry and contribute to the agency's continued reputation and growth

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive media leadership experience within an advertising, marketing, or integrated agency environment
• Demonstrated success leading integrated media strategy across traditional and digital channels
• Proven experience building, growing, or transforming a media practice, department, or team
• Strong executive leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams
• Experience serving as a strategic advisor to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership
• Proven success contributing to agency growth through new business development and client expansion
• Deep understanding of today's media landscape, including planning, investment, analytics, measurement, and emerging technologies
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, resources, and operational performance
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and developing people

Why SCC: This is more than a leadership role, it's an opportunity to help define the future of a growing independent agency. You'll join an entrepreneurial leadership team that values collaboration, innovation, and meaningful relationships. As Chief Media Officer, you'll have the autonomy to shape strategy, influence agency direction, build an exceptional team, and create lasting impact for both our clients and our people.

Benefits: At SCC, we believe in taking care of our team, and that includes providing a range of benefits designed to enhance your life both personally and professionally. As an SCCer, you'll enjoy:

• Retirement Savings: Partner with Fidelity to secure your future with our comprehensive plan offering pretax and ROTH contributions. Plus, benefit from SCC's Safe Harbor match program to boost your retirement savings.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: SCC subsidizes your health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Choose from a variety of plans to suit your needs!
• Tax Advantaged Spending: Pay for qualified expenses with pretax dollars through our FSA programs for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Commuter Reimbursement, putting more money back in your pocket.
• Voluntary Benefits: Explore additional coverage with our voluntary benefit options, including Life Insurance, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance, and even Pet Insurance because we care about all members of your family.
• Flex Time Off: Embrace our Flex Time Off policy that encourages you to take a break, unplug, and recharge, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Enjoy the best of both worlds with our flexible and friendly work environment. Our office is located in the vibrant Fulton Market district with an open floor plan designed to amplify collaboration
• Wellness Support: Prioritize your well being with an annual wellness credit designed to support your physical and mental health.