Director, Paid Media Planning

Bully Pulpit International; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Bully Pulpit International is seeking a Director of Paid Media to manage and optimize multi‑client paid media campaigns. You will drive strategy, oversee day‑to‑day operations, and present results and insights to clients.

The role emphasizes leadership, mentorship, and collaboration across media buying, analytics, and client services. The ideal candidate has 8–12 years of related experience, a proven track record with large campaigns, and comfort advising senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of relevant work experience in media strategy, planning, and direct/managed buying.
• Proven track record running large-scale campaigns for corporate reputation or public affairs.
• Ability to learn new digital systems and specialized tools quickly.
• Executive-level presence with strategic counsel and client pitches.
• Strong cross‑channel media measurement and testing understanding.
• Willingness to work from offices at least 3 days a week in major cities.

Responsibilities

• Lead paid media strategy and day‑to‑day operations for multiple clients.
• Collaborate with media buying, analytics, insights, and client services leads to align goals.
• Provide strategic POV to clients and senior leadership; participate in pitches.
• Mentor and develop the team, elevating the entire group’s output.

Skills

Media strategy

Team leadership

Client management

Executive presence

Analytical thinking

Effective communication

Job description

Bully Pulpit International is an outcomes agency made up of strategists, data scientists, and artists. We come from politics, brands, and government and we communicate without barriers and measure what matters. We have more than 400 team members in six countries and thirteen offices — Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, D.C., London, Los Angeles, New York, Oslo, San Francisco, and Zürich. We apply our unique expertise across strategic communications, public affairs, research, and digital marketing to create sophisticated and customized strategies that make change possible for both American and European clients.

The Impact You Will Make

In this position as Director, you will support the execution and management of paid media campaigns across numerous clients on the Paid Media team. The ideal contract candidate thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is capable of working independently, while navigating multiple projects.

• Starting Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000 (+ annual bonus)
• Expectation to work from one of our offices (Chicago, DC, NYC, SF, LA) at least 3 days a week (Fully Remote candidates will also be considered)

What the Day-to-Day Looks Like

Media Strategy & Execution

• Independently run paid media accounts with a high level of accountability, managing the day-to-day operations of our largest clients while anticipating client issues, concerns, or feedback proactively.
• Support in developing a strategic POV across clients, taking the lead on paid media strategy for clients or internal teams with limited paid experience.
• Regularly present persuasion and awareness media strategy and reporting directly to clients, while confidently providing off-the-cuff strategic POV in high-stakes meetings.
• Effectively delegate across the team to ensure that work is done efficiently, accurately, and to an exceptionally high quality, while maintaining a willingness to roll up your sleeves.

Collaboration & Workflow Management

• Foster strong working relationships across all client teams, ensuring proper process implementation across the agency.
• Identify areas for team-wide workflow and process improvements, and prioritize/staff projects accordingly with support from Senior and Managing Directors.
• Collaborate closely with leads from Media Buying, Marketing Analytics, Insights, and Client Services to define and operationalize strategic goals across media measurement and testing.

POV & Industry Leadership

• Bring new, relevant ideas on how to advance our media offering to senior leadership, secure the necessary buy-in, and operationalize these initiatives.
• Contribute to agency new business through budgeting exercises, developing pitch decks, and actively participating in pitches.
• Evaluate new vendor partnerships and media tech, identifying opportunities for test campaigns while staying abreast of market trends and competitor intel.

Team Management & Mentorship

• Lead team with a focus on development, training, and quality of work, while serving as a key role model and mentor.
• Work across the team to elevate the work product of junior members, actively attracting, retaining, and improving talent through effective management.

What You Bring

• 8–12 years of relevant work experience in media strategy, planning, and direct/managed buying (agency experience preferred).
• A proven track record of independently running highly accountable, large-scale campaigns for corporate reputation, public affairs, or brand-focused B2B clients, with a focus on persuasion and awareness goals.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and navigate new digital systems, emerging media tech, and specialized proprietary tools with minimal downtime.
• Executive-level presence with a demonstrated ability to provide off-the-cuff strategic counsel, navigate complex client dynamics, and confidently pitch new business.
• Advanced understanding of cross-channel media measurement and testing frameworks.
• Excitement to contribute to our Democratic and progressive non-profit, advocacy, and political clients as they arise.
• Exceptional organizational and delegation skills, with the ability to elevate the work product of a broader team rather than just individual contributors.
• Expectation to work from one of our physical offices (DC, NYC, SF, CHI, LA) at least 3 days a week (unless hiring under a fully remote arrangement).

BPI offers a wide range of benefits to U.S.-based employees, including100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) program with employer match up to 4%, generous time off for vacation, $50 monthly phone reimbursement, unlimited sick time, and 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents. BPI’s benefits prioritize employee wellness and progressive support to our diverse workforce.

We’re looking for all kinds of people.

BPI Group is an integrated public affairs agency that delivers outcomes for the top organizations and leaders around the world. With expertise in strategic communications, digital marketing, creative, research, and measurement, we offer a cohesive approach across corporate, policy, and public affairs strategy in today’s interconnected world. By combining incisive strategy and deep tactical expertise, we make change possible. Our transatlantic presence includes offices across thirteen markets in the US and Europe.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on individual commitment to excellence. We want to have the best qualified people in every job. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws.We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. BPI is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description,