Group Director, Client Strategy (Group Media Director)

twentysix; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

twentysix is seeking an senior leader in media planning and strategy to own a portfolio of strategic client relationships, ensuring retention, revenue growth, and profitability across multiple accounts. You will lead and mentor a team of Directors, set performance standards, and drive development while elevating cross-channel, full-funnel media strategies across paid, owned, and earned channels.

You will act as an executive advisor to senior stakeholders and guide high-stakes engagements and

Qualifications

• 11+ years of experience in media planning/strategy or integrated client leadership within an agency.
• 6+ years of experience leading senior-level team members and managing multiple client portfolios.
• Proven track record overseeing complex, multi-channel accounts with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen including revenue forecasting and margin management.
• Demonstrated success managing executive-level client relationships and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Deep expertise in full-funnel strategy development, measurement frameworks (MTA, MMM, incrementality).
• Experience collaborating across creative, analytics, operations, and technology teams.

Responsibilities

• Owning a portfolio of strategic client relationships across multiple accounts to drive retention and profitability.
• Leading and mentoring Directors, setting performance standards and development plans.
• Elevating cross-channel, full-funnel integrated media strategy across paid, owned, and earned channels.
• Ensuring cohesive media mix design, budget allocation, audience architecture, creative integration, and advanced measurement frameworks.
• Serving as an executive escalation point and strategic advisor for senior client stakeholders.
• Leading high-stakes executive engagements including QBRs, annual planning, and growth initiatives.
• Driving portfolio-level forecasting, staffing alignment, and margin management with Operations and Finance.
• Identifying growth opportunities and supporting new business strategy and pitches.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive client leadership

Multi-account management

Cross-channel media planning

Budget forecasting & P&L

Stakeholder management

Communication & storytelling

Talent development

New business pitches

Forecasting & resource planning

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business/Communications

Job description

You Will Be

• Owning a portfolio of strategic client relationships, ensuring retention, revenue growth, and profitability across multiple accounts

• Leading and mentoring a team of Directors, setting performance standards and driving development

• Elevating cross-channel, full-funnel integrated media strategy across paid, owned, and earned channels

• Ensuring cohesive media mix design, budget allocation strategy, audience architecture, creative integration, and advanced measurement frameworks

• Serving as an executive-level escalation point and strategic advisor for senior client stakeholders

• Leading high-stakes executive engagements including QBRs, annual planning, and transformational growth initiatives

• Driving portfolio-level forecasting, staffing alignment, and margin management in partnership with Operations and Finance

• Identifying same-store growth opportunities and partnering with Business Development to support new business strategy and pitches

• Scaling best practices across teams to improve planning rigor, reporting clarity, and strategic storytelling

• Partnering with Analytics to operationalize MTA, MMM, incrementality testing, and advanced measurement

• Spearheading innovation initiatives, emerging channel pilots, and first-to-market tests that strengthen agency POVs

• Collaborating with executive leadership to solve organizational challenges and contribute to company growth goals

• Providing regular portfolio health updates and strategic insights to senior agency leadership

You Must Have

• 11+ years of experience in media planning/strategy, marketing strategy, or integrated client leadership within an agency

• 6+ years of experience leading senior-level team members and managing multiple client portfolios

• Proven track record overseeing complex, multi-channel accounts with full P&L responsibility

• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including revenue forecasting, margin management, and resource planning

• Demonstrated success managing executive-level client relationships and navigating complex stakeholder environments

• Deep expertise in full-funnel strategy development, measurement frameworks (MTA, MMM, incrementality), and cross-channel media planning inclusive of audience insights application to full funnel media application & deep channel understanding

• Experience collaborating across creative, analytics, operations, and technology teams to deliver integrated solutions

• Exceptional executive presence, communication skills, and strategic storytelling ability

• Strong organizational leadership skills with the ability to scale systems, develop talent, and drive operational excellence

• Experience pitching new business as strategic lead

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or equivalent experience

Nice to Have

• Experience leading enterprise-level or multi-brand portfolios

• Background supporting large-scale digital transformation or integrated marketing evolutions

• Experience contributing to agency-level thought leadership or POV development

• Familiarity with AI-driven workflow optimization or advanced planning tools

• Vertical Industry Preferred Experience: Franchisee, National to Local application, Apparel/Retail