Media Activation (Partner Media) Director, Partner Media

Underscore Marketing; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Underscore Marketing seeks a Media Activation (Partner Media) Director to lead strategy, planning, and execution of media investments across direct-buy and partner channels. The role oversees partnerships with publishers, medical journals, EHR platforms, podcasts, and premium placements to maximize client ROI.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, team leadership, and market intelligence to stay ahead in the evolving healthcare media landscape.

Qualifications

• Education required: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field.
• Experience: 7+ years in media planning and buying, with direct/partner channels; healthcare/pharma exposure preferred.
• Strong negotiation and partner-management skills with a track record of value-driven deals.
• Ability to analyze performance data and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for clients and leadership.
• Proficiency with media planning/buying tools, ad servers, and analytics platforms.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Tactical Planning: Develop and implement channel and investment strategies across partner media aligned with client objectives.
• Partner & Vendor Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with publishers and vendors; negotiate terms and value.
• Investment Management: Steward client media budgets; optimize allocation across channels for reach and ROI.
• Campaign Activation: Oversee activation and delivery of campaigns across partner channels.
• Performance Optimization: Analyze results and provide insights to improve in-flight activity.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and develop a planning and activation team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Align with Strategy, Performance Media, Ad Operations, Client Services, PMO.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor media landscape and identify partner opportunities.
• Reporting: Prepare regular performance and investment reports for leadership and clients.

Skills

Media planning & buying

Negotiation

Analytical

Communication

Global collaboration

Team leadership

Ad operations

Campaign optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications

Tools

Media planning tools

Ad servers

Analytics platforms

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Copilot

Job description

Media Activation (Partner Media) Director, Partner Media

Remote-United States

Department: Media Activation

Role: Director, Partner Media

Role Overview

The Director, Partner Media oversees the strategy, planning, and execution of media investments across direct-buy and partner-based channels — including endemic publishers, medical journals, point-of-care networks, EHR platforms, podcasts, custom content programs, sponsorships, and premium direct placements. This role is pivotal in driving the organization’s media initiatives, cultivating high-value publisher and vendor partnerships, and maximizing the impact and return on client media investments. The Director ensures all activity aligns with client objectives and brand strategy while advancing a “One Team” culture across functions and geographies.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Tactical Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive channel and investment strategies across partner media that align with client marketing objectives and brand vision.
• Partner & Vendor Relationships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with publishers, media partners, and vendors — negotiating rates, sponsorships, and custom programs to secure favorable terms and added value.
• Investment Management: Steward client media budgets, ensuring effective allocation across channels and partners while maximizing reach, engagement, and return on investment.
• Campaign Activation: Oversee the activation and execution of media campaigns across multiple partner channels, ensuring timely delivery, quality standards, and flawless implementation.
• Performance Optimization: Analyze campaign performance against goals, delivering insights and recommendations to optimize in-flight activity and inform future strategy.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and develop a high-performing planning and activation team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Strategy/Planning, Performance Media, Ad Operations, Client Services, and Project Management to ensure cohesive, integrated campaign delivery.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor the evolving media landscape, audience insights, and competitive activity to identify innovative partner opportunities and keep clients ahead of the curve.
• Reporting: Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership and clients on media performance, investment utilization, and strategic recommendations.

Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in media planning and buying, with a strong focus on direct/partner-based and endemic channels; healthcare or pharma media experience preferred.
• Negotiation Skills: Excellent negotiation and partner relationship management skills, with a track record of securing value-driven agreements.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical ability to interpret performance data and make data-driven decisions.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to clients and leadership.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with media planning/buying tools, ad servers, and analytics platforms; proficient in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and Copilot.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Global Collaboration: Experience working with global, cross-office teams.

Interested?
Apply by submitting your resume and a brief note outlining your healthcare or media experience.

Underscore Marketing is a woman-owned, independent agency specializing in life sciences. Since 2002, we've helped clients gain a competitive edge through bold, data-driven promotional strategies that deliver measurable results.

Our team comprises media, strategy, and omnichannel analytics experts who thrive on collaboration, innovation, and results. When you join Underscore, you become part of a dynamic environment where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work helps elevate brands in a competitive healthcare landscape.

If you're passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values integrity, creativity, and results, if that sounds like you, we invite you to share.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Underscore is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.